cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Treatment targets in atrial fibrillation: "Is feeling better good enough?".

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia necessitating medical therapy. The majority of AF patients have associated cardiovascular comorbidities that increase the risk of negative cardiovascular outcomes, including excess morbidity, hospitalizations, and mortality ([1,2][1
Development and acceptability of ready to wear blouses

The present study is a small venture in introducing the new concept of ready to wear blouses. As majority of the women face problem in getting the blouses stitched, hence forth a range of readymade blouses were developed keeping the likes and dislikes of the women, These blouses were evaluated on the basis of comfort, appearance, design, fabric etc, to find the acceptability of the blouses. It was found that readyrnade blouses were accepted by women as it provided a quick solution in saving time, energy and money.
Quality of life, predictions of survival, feeding options, and symptom control for patients with advanced disease

In this issue of Annals of Palliative Medicine , Chow et al. author an original report on baseline characteristics, symptoms, and quality of life following whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) alone versus stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or neurosurgery with or without WBRT (1). WBRT has been a standard approach for the treatment of brain metastases for over 60 years (2), but there has been increasing interest in surgical resection (3) or SRS (4,5) to improve local control, reduce neurocognitive morbidity, and potentially even improve overall survival compared with WBRT alone. Current clinical decision on the use of WBRT alone versus local therapy with SRS or surgical resection with or without WBRT versus even palliative measures alone (6) is based on multiple features, including performance status, number of brain metastasis, primary tumor histology, extent of extracranial disease, and lesion resectability. The options to manage brain metastases have been the subject of numerous society guidelines and also a recent systematic review published in this journal (7). However, little has reported on how baseline quality of life characteristics have influences this treatment decision.
Prevalence and seasonal activity of the wasp parasitoid, Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in its tick host, Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae)

Abstract The minute chalcid wasp, Ixodiphagus hookeri, is known as a parasitoid of several ixodid ticks including the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis. We determined quantitatively the prevalence and seasonal activity of the wasp in its tick host, I. scapularis, on Prudence Island, Rhode Island, USA. From May through August in 1988 and 1989, the seasonal peak of nymphal ticks was reached in June. The highest prevalence of wasp parasitism in tick hosts occurred in May, approximately one month earlier than the seasonal peak of the tick. In addition, we observed that wasp parasitism was more prevalent in host-seeking nymphs than in engorged ones collected from white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) and meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) over the same time period (χ2 = 39.47, P < 0.001). We suggest that I. hookeri is likely to overwinter as non-embryonated eggs inside nymphal I. scapularis and the animal host of the tick may play an important role in attracting female wasps to attached ticks for ovipo...
Emerging role of hydrogen sulfide-microRNA crosstalk in cardiovascular diseases

Despite an obnoxious smell and toxicity at a high dose, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is emerging as a cardioprotective gasotransmitter. H2S mitigates pathological cardiac remodeling by regulating several...
Relationship Between Attacks by the Mountain Pine Cone Beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) to Clone and Cone Color in Western White Pine

Total cones produced by western white pine, Pinus monticola Douglas, and total number attacked by the mountain pine cone beetle ( Conophthorus ponderosae Hopkins = C. monticolae Hopkins) were counted during a 5-year study in the Sandpoint Seed Orchard, Sandpoint, Idaho. Cone production and level of beetle attack varied with clone, cone color class, and year. Certain western white pine clones were attacked at consistently higher rates than other clones. In years when cone production and percent cone attack were high, cone beetles showed preference for dark-colored over light-colored cones.
Rapid Integrated Interdependent Fleet-Level Environmental Model

The reduction of fleetwide environmental impacts through vehicle technologies and concepts is a global imperative. Fleet-level environmental impact modeling is governed by computational resource li...
Analysis on cancer mortality among residents in Shijingshan district, Beijing

Objective To understand the characters of cancer mortality and potential years of life lost in Shijingshan District of Beijing, and to provide evidence for the prevention and control of cancer. Methods The information of death cases and demographic data collected from 2008 to 2010 were analyzed with Microsoft Excel 2003 and SPSS 16.0. Results The average mortality of cancer in Shijingshan district was 178.23/ 100000 during 2008-2010, and the mortality of male was higher than that of female. The top 10 death causes were lung cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, pancreas cancer, esophageal cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, brain tumor and lymphoma, which contributed 79.45% of the death of cancer cases. The potential years of life lost indicated that leukemia, brain tumor, lymphoma, colon cancer, breast cancer were the top reasons for the early death of residents.Conclusion Cancers were the major death causes for the residents in Shijingshan district of Beijing. It was necessary to take comprehensive measures to prevent cancer according to the characteristics of each cancer among the different populations.
Design of Aeroengine Self-adjusting Fuzzy Controller

Aero-engine is a complex nonlinear control system,it is difficult to establish an accurate mathematical model,owing to the uncertainty and variability in its broad flight envelop.Fuzzy control can solve this problem,however,once the basic controller is designed,its fuzzy rules can not be adjusted.In order to meet the complex and volatile aviation engine control requirements,self-adjusting rules are used to design fuzzy control system.By using self-organized thinking and introducing adjustment factor,the rules can be adjusted.Through aero-engine model simulation,the results show that compared with the basic fuzzy controller,the self-adjusting fuzzy controller has such characteristics as output regulation time is short,fast and with good step-response,and can meet the requirements of aviation engine control.
Ponder over Seat Effective Use of Deputies to the National People's Congress

People's congress system is China's fundamental political system,and basic reflection of political system of socialist democracy.However,in their specific operation,some deputies in the seats have not been effective use of the phenomenon,which directly affect people's role in the play.Only strict qualification examination deputies,deputies perform their duties to strengthen the supervision and set up a system of alternate representative to ensure that deputies represent the people to fully exercise their powers effectively and achieve the people's interests,so as to continuously improve and develop our NPC system,promote the process of political civilization in China.
Experiences of former child soldiers in Africa: A qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis:

Child soldiering affects approximately 300,000 children worldwide. Abducted and forced into combat, victims experience trauma that may have life-long effects. Thus, it is important to understand child soldiers’ experiences and develop culturally appropriate interventions. Using Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis (QIMS), the authors sought to understand the lived experiences of ex-child soldiers in Sierra Leone, Northern Uganda, and Liberia. Findings revealed the experiential nuances of four phases ex-child soldiers experience: abduction; militarization; demilitarization and reintegration; and civilian life. Findings enhance current knowledge about ex-child soldiers’experiences and inform policy and program design to help ex-child soldiers cope with the aftermath of the war and civilian life.
Predicting Fluid Viscosity of Nonassociating Molecules

Previous work by the author demonstrated that a new predictive corresponding-states viscosity model, based on entity Chapman–Enskog scaling, correlated pure n-alkane component viscosity data with entity scaled residual entropy. With five fitting constants, a 5.2% average absolute relative deviation (AARD) was obtained over the entire fluid region for a group of 17 n-alkanes, ranging from methane to 1280 Mw linear polyethylene. The work reported here demonstrates that this same model and fitting constants predicts fluid viscosity of other molecular classifications over a wide range of temperature and pressure. Molecular structure was incorporated to improve the predictability of the earlier corresponding-states viscosity model. With the inclusion of molecular structure, an AARD of 6.6% was obtained over the entire fluid region for ten classifications of nonassociating molecules and a wide range of temperature (60–800 K) and pressure (1–46 800 atm). Thus, a predictive corresponding-states fluid viscosity mo...
The Ethics of Public Intellectual Work

This essay explores the distinctions between the legal and professional constraints on public intellectual work and the ethical obligations that arise from that work. It is occasioned by the highly controversial tenure case of political scientist Norman Finkelstein. On June 8, 2007, the president of DePaul University refused Finkelstein tenure in the Political Science Department (a department that had voted 9–3 in favor of tenuring Finkelstein). Finkelstein has made an academic career of chasing the biggest prey in academic and popular discussion of U.S. affairs, Israeli and Palestinian policies and politics. From his first monograph, in which he criticized Joan Peters’ history of Palestine prior to Israeli occupation (From Time Immemorial, critiqued in Finkelstein’s Image and Reality of the Israel-Palestine Conflict), through his role in bringing Daniel Goldhagen’s controversial history of German citizens in the Holocaust to scrutiny (Hitler’s Willing Executioners (HWE), critiqued in Finkelstein’s coauthored A Nation on Trial), Finkelstein approached specific influential texts with the laser precision of a scholar seeking historical truth.
Abstract 1685: Identification and characterization of EMT/MET signatures in circulating tumor cells isolated from patients with metastatic breast cancer using graphene oxide nano-chip

Disseminated cancer cells identified in the circulatory system of cancer patients has implied to be the key drivers of tumor metastasis. These cells known as circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are emerging as an alternative to tissue biopsies to predict prognostic values, and to monitor evolving tumor heterogeneity through serial drug treatments. Recent technological advances have enabled the detection of CTCs in patient blood samples. However, the enumeration alone seems to be insufficient to obtain information that could benefit any clinical decisions. The limited sensitivity as well as the specificity of current approaches struggle from realizing the full promise of CTCs. We developed a sensitive microfluidic chip using functionalized graphene oxide (GO) nano-sheets to isolate CTCs with improved sensitivity and purity. Blood samples collected from metastatic breast cancer patients were processed through the chip within 6 hours of sampling and the CTCs were identified by the presence of cytokeratin with the absence of CD45 expression. EMT/MET signatures were characterized in the isolated CTCs to investigate its role by assessing gene expression profiles. Protein markers known to be up regulated during the EMT such as Vimentin and N-cadherin was examined along with HER2. mRNA expression of EMT markers were studied simultaneously using a multiplex TaqMan-based qRT-PCR method and compared to healthy controls. CTCs were successfully detected in >95% of patients examined in this study. Cell-to-cell intrapatient heteroheneity was observed in the isolated CTCs. Markers of EMT/MET phenotypes including Vimentin, EpCAM, HER2, CDH1, CDH2 and cytokeratin in the CTC samples were differentially expressed. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing the GO nano-chip in CTC isolation and characterization from metastatic breast cancer patients. Given the high sensitivity and the reproducibility to measure protein/gene expression levels of CTC biomarkers, we envision that our GO nano-chip may provide potential tool for real-time monitoring of cancer patients on clinical trials. Citation Format: Tae Hyun Kim, Hyeun Joong Yoon, Sunitha Nagrath. Identification and characterization of EMT/MET signatures in circulating tumor cells isolated from patients with metastatic breast cancer using graphene oxide nano-chip. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1685.
A Hydrocarbon Cathode for Dual-Ion Batteries

We have demonstrated, for the first time, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), crystalline and readily available coronene, exhibits highly reversible anion-storage properties. Conventional graphite anion-insertion electrodes operate at potentials >4.5 V vs Li+/Li, requiring electrolyte additives or the use of ionic liquids as electrolytes. The coronene electrode shows flat plateaus at 4.2 V (charge) and 4.0 V (discharge) in a standard alkyl carbonate electrolyte and delivers a reversible discharge capacity of ∼40 mA h g–1. Ex situ characterization reveals that coronene retains its crystalline structure and chemical bonding upon initial PF6– incorporation. Coronene–PF6 electrodes show impressive cycling stability: 92% capacity retention after 960 cycles. The discovery of the reversible anion-storage properties of coronene may open new avenues toward dual-ion batteries based on PAHs as electrodes.
Lecture 2: The African Heritage and Its Cultural Significance

Locke argues in this lecture that African descendent peoples have had an influential role in the development of American cultures. The reasons for denying this; however, are many and obvious. Locke goes to great pains to show the myriad ways in which cultures from all over the Americas in their present-day manifestations contain noticeable and undeniable elements of African cultural and artistic forms. In fact, Locke claims, that outside of the African continent itself no other place on earth bears as many, nor as deep-rooted, an African influence as North and South America and the Caribbean. In the end, Locke argues that the history of the cultural influences of Afrodescendant peoples in the Americas reinforces an understanding of the composite nature of American nations and cultures.
192. Regulated Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Expression with a Novel Spatiotemporal AAV Vector Cassette for Treating Congestive Heart Failure

Patients suffering from congestive heart failure (CHF) are vulnerable to a fluid overloaded state, contributing to significant morbidity and the mortality of ~287,000 patients per year in the US. This vulnerability is in part mediated by a dysregulation of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) – a molecule acting on kidneys to induce diuresis. Multiple preclinical studies show that injecting pre-synthesized ANPs can induce diuresis, however pre-synthesized ANPs degrade rapidly making their impact only transient. Sustained ANP-mediated diuresis may provide a novel approach to curb fluid retention. To this end, we hypothesize that the use of AAV9 vectors will mediate delivery of a more biologically active version of ANP (aka mANP) in the context of a cardiomyocyte-specific, tetracycline-regulated expression cassette. Methodology – For temporal regulation we inserted a Tet-On 3G System into an AAV cassette (AAV-Tet). For cardiac restricted expression we also introduced a cardiomyocyte specific regulatory element. Preliminary Data – Doxycycline specifically induces expression in vitro of all tested genes, i.e. mANP, EGFP, and firefly luciferase (Luc). Regulation is tight, showing Luc expression increases of ~2000-fold over baseline. Using murine models we are currently accessing the pharmacokinetics of the AAV9-Tet vectors. Finally, diuretic potentials will be assessed in murine models of CHF. Conclusion – The spatiotemporally regulated mANP AAV vectors being developed herein could represent a new paradigm for treatment in CHF.
Photon-Phonon-Enhanced Infrared Rectification in a Two-Dimensional Nanoantenna-Coupled Tunnel Diode

Direct conversion of infrared radiation to electrical current will dramatically impact energy recovery from low-grade heat sources. The authors present a large-area, nanoantenna-coupled tunnel diode that generates electricity from infrared radiation, with enhanced photocurrent due to impedance-matched optical-phonon resonances in the tunnel dielectric that lead to photon-assisted tunneling. This suggests exciting advances in thermal energy harvesting and near-field heat transfer.
Ozone Exposure, Cardiopulmonary Health, and Obesity: A Substantive Review

From 1999–2014, obesity prevalence increased among adults and youth. Obese individuals may be uniquely susceptible to the proinflammatory effects of ozone because obese humans and animals have been shown to experience a greater decline in lung function than normal-weight subjects. Obesity is independently associated with limitations in lung mechanics with increased ozone dose. However, few epidemiologic studies have examined the interaction between excess weight and ozone exposure among adults. Using PubMed keyword searches and reference lists, we reviewed epidemiologic evidence to identify potential response-modifying factors and determine if obese or overweight adults are at increased risk of ozone-related health effects. We initially identified 170 studies, of which seven studies met the criteria of examining the interaction of excess weight and ozone exposure on cardiopulmonary outcomes in adults, including four short-term ozone exposure studies in controlled laboratory settings and three community ep...
Recognizing the Public Schools' Authority to Discipline Students' Off-Campus Cyberbullying of Classmates

The American Medical Association, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified bullying in the public elementary and secondary schools as a "public health problem". This article explains the schools' comprehensive authority, consistent with the First Amendment, to impose discipline on cyberbullies, by suspension or expulsion if necessary. Ever since Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969), the Supreme Court's First Amendment decisions have granted the schools authority to discipline student speech that causes, or reasonably threatens, (1) "substantial disruption of or material interference with school activities", or (2) "collision with the rights of other students to be secure and to be let alone". To fulfill their "basic educational mission", school authorities may also discipline cyberbullying that compromises efforts to teach "the boundaries of socially appropriate behavior", "habits and manners of civility" and respect for "the sensibilities of fellow students". In the Internet Age, the Court’s holdings reach cyberbullying, including messages that a student sends from off campus but foresees will have the requisite harmful effect on campus. By upholding off-campus application, lower courts remain true to advice delivered by Justice Louis D. Brandeis in Olmstead v. United States (1928). Olmstead held that the Fourth Amendment did not prohibit the government from placing remote telephone wiretaps because “[t]here was no entry of the houses or offices of the defendants.” Nearly forty years later, the Court vindicated Justice Louis D. Brandeis’ Olmstead dissent from the five-Justice majority’s refusal to apply existing Fourth Amendment doctrine to technological advances wrought by the telephone. Because “[t]ime works changes, brings into existence new conditions and purposes,” Justice Brandeis argued, “a principle to be vital must be capable of wider application than the mischief which gave it birth.” In Berger v. New York in 1967, the Court overruled Olmstead and acknowledged that “[t]he law . . . has not kept pace with . . . advances in scientific knowledge.” Much as the capacity for government wiretapping of telephones from remote locations lay beyond the contemplation of the Fourth Amendment’s framers, the capacity for student cyberbullying from the Internet and other remote locations lay beyond the Supreme Court’s contemplation when it articulated and later refined Tinker’s First Amendment doctrine. Where student cyberbullies foresee that their off-campus speech will reach classmates on campus, courts remain true to Tinker and its progeny by applying their express holdings to technology that the Supreme Court had no reason to anticipate when it decided those cases.
Feature analysis of ultrasound elastography image for quantitative assessment of cutaneous carcinoma.

Background To evaluate the feasibility of using quantitative texture features computed from high frequency ultrasound and ultrasound elastography (USE) images in the discrimination of benign from malignant skin lesions. Methods A commercial ultrasound system with a 14 MHz transducer was used to visualize skin lesions requiring biopsy on clinical evaluation. Patients were enrolled over a 6-month period and imaged prospectively by operators blind to the histopathologic diagnosis. Anatomic ultrasound and USE imaging of the skin lesions was performed using a 2-4 mm gel standoff pad before biopsy and histopathologic evaluation. The ElastoAnalysis software developed for the texture analysis of USE images was provided by Hitachi. The software computes thirteen texture features within a region of interest (ROI), which have demonstrated promise in diagnostic characterization of liver fibrosis staging and in quantitative elastography of breast cancer. This approach has not yet been studied in the quantitative assessment of skin cancer. Results were retrospectively compared to the histopathologic diagnosis and a diagnostic criteria with the goal of maximizing sensitivity was evaluated for each textural feature. Results Of the 37 lesions included, among 30 patients who participated, 12 lesions were malignant and 25 were benign. Eleven out of thirteen textural metrics computed by the software were useful in differentiating benign from malignant lesions with 100% sensitivity and specificities ranging from 28% to 85%. Conclusions This feasibility study demonstrated that feature analysis of USE may be useful in quantitatively differentiating cancerous from benign primary solitary skin lesions prior to biopsy.
Basic Biochemical Approaches in Neurotoxicology: Assessment of Neurotransmitters and Neuroreceptors

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the assessment of some unique aspects of the nervous system, and presents basic biochemical approaches in neurotoxicity. One of the unique properties of nerve cells is their ability for intercellular communication via neurotransmitter and neuroreceptor systems. The general approaches needed to assess these neural communication systems are presented and discussed in this chapter. The neurochemical methods and their application described in the chapter represent a basic approach in the field of neurotoxicology. These basic biochemical techniques are powerful tools in describing the selective neurotoxicity of specific neurotoxicants. As part of an integrated, multidisciplinary approach for the assessment of neurotoxicants, these techniques can be used to describe biomarkers of effect and enhance the understanding of the mechanisms of neurotoxicity. This chapter also discusses that some neurotoxicants may produce relatively selective effects: 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) effects on the dopamine system, MDMA effects on the serotonin system, TMT effects on the muscarinic cholinergic receptor binding; manganese effects on the dopamine system; and methamphetamine effects on both the dopamine and the serotonin systems.
The loss of TET2 promotes CD8+ T cell memory differentiation

T cell differentiation requires appropriate regulation of DNA methylation. In this article, we demonstrate that the methylcytosine dioxygenase ten-eleven translocation (TET)2 regulates CD8+ T cell differentiation. In a murine model of acute viral infection, TET2 loss promotes early acquisition of a memory CD8+ T cell fate in a cell-intrinsic manner without disrupting Ag-driven cell expansion or effector function. Upon secondary recall, TET2-deficient memory CD8+ T cells demonstrate superior pathogen control. Genome-wide methylation analysis identified a number of differentially methylated regions in TET2-deficient versus wild-type CD8+ T cells. These differentially methylated regions did not occur at the loci of differentially expressed memory markers; rather, several hypermethylated regions were identified in known transcriptional regulators of CD8+ T cell memory fate. Together, these data demonstrate that TET2 is an important regulator of CD8+ T cell fate decisions.
Data on the interaction between thermal comfort and building control research.

Abstract This dataset contains bibliography information regarding thermal comfort and building control research. In addition, the instruction of a data-driven literature survey method guides readers to reproduce their own literature survey on related bibliography datasets. Based on specific search terms, all relevant bibliographic datasets are downloaded. We explain the keyword co-occurrences of historical developments and recent trends, and the citation network which represents the interaction between thermal comfort and building control research. Results and discussions are described in the research article entitled “Comprehensive analysis of the relationship between thermal comfort and building control research – A data-driven literature review” (Park and Nagy, 2018).
Ready to serve the public? The role of empathy in public service education programs

Public administrators serve the people and implement public policy. However, stories abound that call into question public servants’ ability to represent constituents different from them. Empathy, ...
Nasal Absorption of Enkephalins in Rats

In recent years, the possibility that the intranasal administration route might be useful for many compounds which are not absorbed orally has received a great deal of attention. For instance, the β-blocker propranolol (Hussain et al, 1979, 1980 a, b), the contraceptive agent progesterone (David et al, 1981; Hussain et al, 1981) and the anti-arrhythmic compound clofilium tosylate (Su et al, 1984) have been shown to be effectively absorbed via the intranasal route when compared to oral administration. These compounds undergo extensive degradation due to first-pass hepatic metabolism which can be minimized after nasal administration. For drugs which are poorly absorbed by the oral route such as sulbenicillin, cefazolin, and cephacetrile, it was demonstrated that the percent dose excreted in urine after nasal administration was nearly one-half of that after intramuscular administration (Hirai et al, 1981). The absorption of low molecular weight polypeptides, luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) and its analogues used as a contraceptive agent, was evaluated by the nasal route (Fink et al, 1974; Berquist et al, 1979; Gennser and Liedholm, 1974; London et al, 1973; Anik et al, 1984). Although the absorption efficiency by the nasal route was lower than the I.V. route for these polypeptides, the absorption was reproducible, and the advantage of non-parenteral route for such a compound was an important factor. Research has also been carried out on the nasal absorption of high molecular weight polypeptides such as insulin (Moses et al, 1983; Hirai et al, 1978, 1981 a,b), interferon (Greenberg et al, 1978; Harmon et al, 1976; 1977; Johnson et al, 1976) and growth hormone releasing factor (Evans et al, 1983).
Experimental Study and Modeling of the g m -I Dependence of Long-Channel MOSFETs

this paper describes an experimental study and modeling of the current-transconductance dependence of the ALD1106 and ALD1107 arrays. The study tests the hypothesis that the I-g m dependence of these 7.8 $\mu$m MOSFETs conforms to the Advanced Compact Model (ACM). Results from performed measurements, however, do not support this expectation. Despite the relatively large length, both ALD1106 and ALD1107 show sufficiently pronounced ‘short-channel’ effects to render the ACM inadequate. As a byproduct of this effort, we confirmed the modified ACM equation. With an m factor of approximately 0.6, it captures the I-g m dependence quite well. The paper also introduces several formulas and procedures for I-g m model extraction and tuning. These are not specific to the ALD transistor family and can be applied to MOSFETs with different physical size and electrical performance.
Cocaine use modifies the association between antiretroviral therapy and endothelial dysfunction among adults with HIV infection.

Cocaine is commonly used among HIV-infected people and may worsen HIV disease progression. In addition, existing evidence suggests a link between antiretroviral regimens and endothelial dysfunction. This study aimed to examine whether the associations of antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens with endothelial dysfunction may be modified by cocaine use in adults with HIV infection. Between 2003 and 2014, 466 HIV-positive participants residing in Baltimore, Maryland, were enrolled in a study investigating comorbidities associated with HIV/ART. The associations between various risk factors and endothelial dysfunction indicators were examined by robust regression models fitted for the overall subjects and cocaine subgroups, separately. Duration of nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based therapy was negatively associated with plasma vWF:Ag levels in cocaine non-users (β = -.715, SE = .220, P < .05). However, cocaine users on longer-term NNRTI-based regimens had greater plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentrations than their counterparts (β = .003, SE = .001, P < .05). In addition, current cigarette smoking was significantly positively associated with ET-1 concentrations in both cocaine non-users (β = .609, SE = .164, P < .05) and cocaine users (β = .331, SE = .086, P < .05). In conclusion, cocaine use modified the potential effects of NNRTI-based therapy on biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction. These findings suggested that reduction in cocaine use may improve endothelial function in HIV-infected cocaine users.
Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair after prostatectomy: Evaluating safety, efficacy, and efficiency

Abstract Background For many surgeons, a prior prostatectomy is considered a contraindication to laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal hernia repair. This study aims to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and efficiency of totally extraperitoneal in these patients. Methods This is a review of a prospectively collected hernia database evaluating patients who underwent totally extraperitoneal repair between October 2009 and March 2018. Patients with prior prostatectomy were matched to controls without prior prostatectomy. Secondary analysis compared the case group to patients who underwent open hernia repair. Results In the study, 1,751 patients underwent laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal repair. Thirty patients with a prior prostatectomy were matched to 90 controls. Operative duration was greater in the prostatectomy group (56 vs 36 minutes, P Conclusion Despite a more difficult dissection, laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal repair in patients with prior prostatectomy is safe, efficacious, and efficient. In addition, totally extraperitoneal offers similar outcomes to open repair with a quicker recovery in this patient population.
Calcium, Phosphate, and Magnesium Metabolism in Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract Disturbances in calcium (Ca2+), phosphate (Pi), and magnesium (Mg2+) homeostasis contribute to Chronic Kidney Disease Mineral and Bone Disorders (CKD-MBD), which encompasses abnormalities in mineral metabolism and bone, extraskeletal calcification, and cardiovascular disease. Although the role of excess Pi is unequivocal in CKD-MBD, the role of Ca2+ and Mg2+ is less clear. Understanding how Ca2+, Pi, and Mg2+ disturbances affect the onset and progression of CKD-MBD is essential to achieving the ultimate goal of developing individualized effective treatments that target different facets of CKD-MBD pathophysiology in each patient. Pi load to the organism can be reduced by dietary modifications, binders, and/or modifiers of intestinal epithelial transport. Ca2+ and/or Mg2+ supplements (or avoidance) should be prescribed only to those who will benefit based on Ca2+ and Mg2+ status. Multiple therapies targeting more than one pathophysiologic factor involved in Ca2+, Pi, and Mg2+ balance will be required to treat CKD-MBD.
Complications Following Nephron-Sparing Surgery for Wilms Tumor.

Abstract Purpose Because of the increasing use of nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) in bilateral Wilms tumor, we sought to review the early postoperative complications associated with NSS. Methods A retrospective review of patients who underwent NSS at our institution from 2000 to 2017 was performed. For comparison, a cohort of patients who underwent radical nephrectomy (RN) was also reviewed. Early (30-day) postoperative complications and oncologic outcomes were assessed. Results Fifty-five patients underwent either bilateral (46) NSS or unilateral (9) NSS owing to prior resection or congenital solitary kidney. Fifty-four patients who underwent unilateral RN were also evaluated. Twenty NSS patients (36.4%) experienced 21 postoperative complications, including prolonged urine leak (9), infection (8), transient renal insufficiency (1), and intussusception (3). Seven RN patients (13.0%) experienced surgical complications, including infection (4) and intussusception (3). Average intraoperative blood loss was significantly greater in NSS as compared to RN (483.51 ± 337.92 mL and 278.15 mL ± 390.25, respectively, p Conclusions In our experience, prolonged urine leak, intraoperative blood loss, and positive margins were more frequent in patients undergoing NSS as compared to RN. However, the complications were successfully managed, suggesting that an aggressive approach to NSS in patients with bilateral Wilms tumor is safe and appropriate. Level of evidence Level III Type of study Treatment study.
An Assessment of the Managerial Skills and Professional Development Needs of Private Catholic Secondary School Administrators in Bangkok, Thailand

The knowledge and ability of the individuals in a managerial position are to fulfill some specific management activities or tasks. Managerial skills are important for many reasons. Being a manager in an educational setting is a position to act as an effective leader and problem-solver in many simple and complex situations. However, in Thailand, it was observed that some managerial skills need to improve their skills. School managers should strengthen and develop to manage effectively and efficiently. This mixed research surveyed the managerial skills of the school administrators in terms of conceptual skills, human skills, and technical skills in selected private catholic secondary schools in Bangkok, Thailand. The respondents self-assessed their managerial skills in the form of a checklist, and to validate the results, interviews were conducted to determine the professional development needs according to the lowest items assessed by the school administrators. A questionnaire anchored on Robert Katz’s theory of managerial skills and developed by Goodarzi (2002) was used to gather data. With regards to the assessment of managerial skills’ practice of the school administrators, most of them assessed themselves as very good in terms of conceptual skills, human skills, and technical skills. The professional development needs of the private catholic school administrators in terms of conceptual skills are the identification of informal organization, articulation of strategy, and ability of prediction. On the other hand, school administrators need training in controlling conflict, report generation, and official correspondence in terms of human skills. Finally, they need professional development in financial management, computer skill, and marketing in terms of technical skills.
Experiential design and religious publicity at D.C.’s Museum of the Bible

This article examines the sensory dimension of religious publicity, focused on the case of an evangelical museum in the United States. Washington D.C.’s Museum of the Bible (MOTB) was envisioned an...
What if Child Maltreatment Were Childhood Leukemia?: Lessons from the Halls of the Hospital

This article examines lessons that can be applied to prevention, research, training, and clinical treatment in child welfare from analogous experiences in combatting childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Since the 1960s, childhood cancer researchers have been able to reach a 98% remission rate and 90% 5-yr survival rate with limited research, training, and treatment dollars. In contrast, child abuse fatalities and maltreatment reports have continued to increase. Although childhood leukemia is not readily associated with child welfare and child maltreatment, there are strategies, protocols, and lessons from the cancer arena that could disrupt the status quo of how we address child welfare. Use of childhood cancer research and treatment as a model could result in development of a child welfare system that is preventive in nature and better equipped to treat the multitude of family and community issues that contribute to maltreatment.
Chapter 3 – Approximate Integration over Infinite Intervals

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the approximate integration over infinite intervals. It also discusses the truncation of the infinite interval. One may reduce the infinite interval to a finite interval by ignoring the tail of an integrand. Rigorous application of this method requires that the analyst be able to estimate this tail by some simple analytical device. The chapter presents an algorithm known as a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The algorithm is particularly useful as it offers the saving of a significant number of numerical operations over conventional methods. As a result, the FFT has gained wide acceptance in many areas of data handling and interpretation, linear system analysis, stochastic analysis, and digital signal and image processing. The FFT algorithm can be traced back to Runge. A history of the algorithm may be found in Cooley, Lewis, and Welch. The two-dimensional FFT has found wide use as a tool for image processing by digital computer and for pattern recognition.
Nutraceuticals and Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract In this chapter, the use of nutraceuticals for metabolic syndrome therapies is explored. Metabolic syndrome is characterized by having three or more out of six variables (risk factors), ranging from high triglycerides, to elevated waist circumference and high blood pressure. Metabolic syndrome is also characterized by elevated serum cholesterol (cholesterolemia), and is considered the consequence of a complex interaction of factors generally leading to increased insulin resistance and high blood glucose. Recently C-reactive protein has been considered as a risk factor also. Current pharmaceutical treatments are complex and have side effects, thus well-characterized nutraceuticals may offer effective alternatives. While lifestyle approaches, such as with the Mediterranean diet and exercise, may prove to be too complex for the single patient, better knowledge of selected nutraceuticals and more appropriate formulations leading to improved bioavailability, will likely increase the use of these agents. Nutraceuticals are already in use for the management of some patient groups. This chapter discusses various aspects of the above issues.
Evaluation of triclosan exposures on secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines from human immune cells.

Abstract Triclosan (TCS) is widely used in personal hygiene products, such as mouthwash and toothpaste, and is found in human tissues. Interleukin (IL)-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and interferon gamma (IFNγ) are pro-inflammatory cytokines and inappropriately elevated levels of each have been associated with pathologies including rheumatoid arthritis and certain cancers. Here we examine effects of TCS on the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines from human immune cell preparations. TCS at concentrations between 0.05–5 μM consistently increased the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα within 24 h of exposure and the increases often maintained out to 6 days of exposure. TCS also induced increases in IFNγ secretion, however the increases were most consistent after 48 h of exposure rather than within 24 h. Additionally, a role for both p44/42 and p38 MAPK in TCS-stimulated increases in IL-1β was seen in cells from some donors.
A Comparison Among Worker Types Using a Composites Approach and Median Splits

The current study examined Spence and Robbins’ (1992) worker types in terms of correlates of workaholism (e.g., work–life imbalance, obsessive– compulsive behavior). A survey was administered to professionals, who were then classified into different worker types following the traditional median-split technique. The data were also analyzed with three composite variables that capture the worker types in a continuous fashion. The results of the correlation analysis with the composites were similar to those obtained with the median-split approach. Specifically, workaholics had higher levels of work–life imbalance than work enthusiasts, whereas unengaged workers and relaxed workers had low levels; workaholics and positively engaged workers had high levels of obsessive–compulsive behavior, whereas work enthusiasts, unengaged workers, and relaxed workers showed low levels.
Identification of Competence-Repressing Factors During Log-Phase Growth of Haemophilus influenzae

Metabolic factors that suppress development of competence in Haemophilus influenzae during growth in the synthetic medium MIc have been identified. These include inosine, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, glycerol, and uracil. It is also possible to initiate competence in the presence of these substances if the oxygen tension in the culture is temporarily reduced.
Gelatinase Activity by Marine Fungi.

Abstract Gelatinase activity was detectable in the culture filtrates of 13 of 14 species of marine fungi tested. The fungi were grown under conditions of submerged culture in a medium consisting of corn meal, soybean meal, and CaCO3. The degree of enzymatic activity did not necessarily correlate with the amino nitrogen content of the filtrates. Eight of the filtrates contained measurable quantities of glutamic acid and alanine. Highest levels of gelatinase were obtained in the culture filtrates of Halosphaeria mediosetigera. Increasing the corn meal concentration of the medium resulted in even greater production of gelatinase by H. mediosetigera, whereas amino acid yields were enhanced by higher concentrations of soybean meal. Supplementation of the high corn meal medium with either a mineral mixture or distillers' solubles brought about a faster rate of production of gelatinase and, in the case of the distillers' solubles, a significantly higher level of enzyme, as well.
Generation of coarse‐scale continuum flow models from detailed fracture characterizations

[1] A procedure for developing coarse-scale continuum models from detailed fracture descriptions is developed and applied. The coarse models are in the form of a generalized dual-porosity representation, in which matrix rock and fractures exchange fluid locally while large-scale flow occurs through the fracture network. The methodology developed here introduces local subgrids to resolve dynamics within the matrix and provides appropriate coarse-scale parameters describing fracture-fracture, matrix-fracture, and matrix-matrix flow. The geometry of the local subgrids, as well as the required parameters for the coarse-scale model, are determined from local flow solutions using the underlying discrete fracture model. The method is applied to two- and three-dimensional single-phase and two-phase flow problems, and the accuracy of the coarse models is assessed relative to fully resolved discrete fracture simulations. For the cases considered, it is shown that the technique is capable of generating highly accurate coarse models with many fewer unknowns than the detailed characterizations, and speedups of about a factor of 100 are achieved.
Posttranscriptional regulation of retroviral gene expression: primary RNA transcripts play three roles as pre-mRNA, mRNA, and genomic RNA

After reverse transcription of the retroviral RNA genome and integration of the DNA provirus into the host genome, host machinery is used for viral gene expression along with viral proteins and RNA regulatory elements. Here, we discuss co-transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of retroviral gene expression, comparing simple and complex retroviruses. Cellular RNA polymerase II synthesizes full-length viral primary RNA transcripts that are capped and polyadenylated. All retroviruses generate a singly spliced env mRNA from this primary transcript, which encodes the viral glycoproteins. In addition, complex viral RNAs are alternatively spliced to generate accessory proteins, such as Rev, which is involved in posttranscriptional regulation of HIV-1 RNA. Importantly, the splicing of all retroviruses is incomplete; they must maintain and export a fraction of their primary RNA transcripts. This unspliced RNA functions both as the major mRNA for Gag and Pol proteins and as the packaged genomic RNA. Different retroviruses export their unspliced viral RNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm by either Tap-dependent or Rev/CRM1-dependent routes. Translation of the unspliced mRNA involves frame-shifting or termination codon suppression so that the Gag proteins, which make up the capsid, are expressed more abundantly than the Pol proteins, which are the viral enzymes. After the viral polyproteins assemble into viral particles and bud from the cell membrane, a viral encoded protease cleaves them. Some retroviruses have evolved mechanisms to protect their unspliced RNA from decay by nonsense-mediated RNA decay and to prevent genome editing by the cellular APOBEC deaminases.
An α-Tubulin Mutant Demonstrates Distinguishable Functions Among the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint Genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Cells expressing a mutant allele of α-tubulin, tub1-729 , are cold sensitive and arrest as large-budded cells with microtubule defects. The cold sensitivity of tub1-729 is suppressed by extra copies of a subset of the mitotic checkpoint genes BUB1, BUB3 , and MPS1 , but not MAD1, MAD2 , and MAD3 . This suppression by checkpoint genes does not depend upon their role in the MAD2 -dependent spindle assembly checkpoint. In addition, BUB1 requires an intact kinase domain as well as Bub3p to suppress tub1-729 . The data suggest that tub1-729 cells are defective in microtubule-kinetochore attachments and that the products of specific checkpoint genes can act either directly or indirectly to affect these attachments.