cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationships Between Medicine and Industry: Approaches to the Problem of Conflicts of Interest

Relationships between physicians and industry are prevalent in medical education, clinical practice, and research, as well as at the level of medical institutions. These relationships can be valuable for the advancement of medicine but have also received increased scrutiny in recent years because they create conflicts of interest that pose a risk of biasing the judgments of physicians. Responses to these conflicts of interest by medical institutions, journals, and governments have utilized four main tools: education, disclosure, management, and prohibition. Each of the four has its advantages and drawbacks. Medicine faces the challenge of tailoring the use of these tools to minimize the risk of bias while allowing useful medical-industry collaborations to proceed. Viewing the dilemmas created by physicians' relationships with industry as a version of the principal-agent problem, which is much discussed by economists, may help in developing creative approaches to these issues.
Electromigration and soret effect in cobalt

Abstract The present investigation aims to examine whether the electron-ion interaction in hole conductors follows the flow of charge carriers in electromigration experiments, as predicted by theory and observed in several electron conductors. Mass transport of cobalt, a hole conductor, under the influence of a direct current of about 10 4 A cm 2 has been measured by a marker motion technique at temperatures from 1250°C to 1360°C. The cobalt ions migrated to the cathode with a marker motion of about 2μ/day at 1360°C and an average effective charge of +1.6 e . This result would therefore indicate an affirmative answer if the valence charge is taken to be +0.6 e . A Soret effect, due to the presence of a thermal gradient in the electromigration experiment, has also been observed; the ions migrated down the temperature gradient. The marker motion was about 7μ/day at 1320°C and 500°C/cm. The value of s i , the Soret coefficient, was found to increase from about 0.04°K −1 at 1200°C to about 0.12°K −1 at 1360°C. The simple kinetic model, predicting a much lower value for S i , cannot adequately explain the experimental results.
An enhanced fully differential folded-cascode op amp

An enhanced fully differential folded-cascode operational-amplifier topology that achieves improved DC gain and common-mode rejection without sacrificing slew rate is presented. The large-signal operation of the new topology is completely symmetric, providing equal positive and negative slew-rate behavior by making use of current mirrors rather than current sources as normally found in full differential folded-cascode op-amps. An additional advantage of the enhanced topology is that its common-mode output impedance is a factor of g/sub m/r/sub o/ (typically 1-2 orders of magnitude) lower than the differential-mode output impedance, significantly improving the common-mode rejection ratio. The predicted performance is verified by simulations and preliminary experimental results. >
The Role of Capsule Endoscopy in Evaluating Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Capsule endoscopy is a relatively new technology available in the investigation of IBD. Its place in the algorithm of evaluating IBD is being refined. Capsule endoscopy has the ability to visualize the entire SB with very few complications. It is a sensitive test for the diagnosis of mucosal changes, but should be viewed as complementary to other radiologic evaluations, such as CTE and MRE. Capsule endoscopy is nonspecific and its findings have to be interpreted with caution and in the right clinical setting, because up to one fifth of normal individuals may have subtle changes in the small intestine. Care should also be taken to exclude NSAID use because it mimics findings seen in CD. Capsule endoscopy is an exciting technology that opened the possibility of the evaluation of the SB in the era of “deep remission.” It is best applied in patients with a high clinical suspicion for IBD after unremarkable colonoscopy with terminal ileal intubation and radiologic investigation.
Meta-analysis of the correlation between chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency and multiple sclerosis.

Purpose:To determine whether a correlation exists between chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and multiple sclerosis (MS).Materials and Methods:A meta-analysis of the current literature was performed to evaluate the frequency of CCSVI, diagnosed by echo color Doppler criteria, in patients with MS and in normal controls.Results:In all, 19 studies were identified from January 2005 through February 2013; however, 3 studies were excluded due to duplicate data and 3 additional studies because 0 patients fulfilled CCSVI criteria in both MS and control groups. In order to improve homogeneity, 4 outlier studies were also removed from the analysis. Analysis of the remaining 9 studies demonstrated a significant correlation between CCSVI and MS (odds ratio 1.885, P < .0001) with no significant heterogeneity of the studies (I2 = 18, P = .279).Conclusions:The meta-analysis demonstrated a correlation between CCSVI and MS. However, there was no evidence that CCSVI has a causative role in MS.
Neural correlates of reward and loss sensitivity in psychopathy

Psychopathy is a personality disorder associated with callous and impulsive behavior and criminal recidivism. It has long been theorized that psychopaths have deficits in processing reward and punishment. Here, we use structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine the neural correlates of reward and loss sensitivity in a group of criminal psychopaths. Forty-one adult male prison inmates (n = 18 psychopaths and n = 23 non-psychopaths) completed a functional magnetic resonance imaging task involving the gain or loss of money. Across the entire sample of participants, monetary gains elicited robust activation within the ventral striatum (VS). Although psychopaths and non-psychopaths did not significantly differ with respect to overall levels of VS response to reward vs loss, we observed significantly different correlations between VS responses and psychopathy severity within each group. Volumetric analyses of striatal subregions revealed a similar pattern of correlations, specifically for the right accumbens area within VS. In a separate sample of inmates (n = 93 psychopaths and n = 117 non-psychopaths) who completed a self-report measure of appetitive motivation, we again found that the correlation with psychopathy severity differed between groups. These convergent results offer novel insight into the neural substrates of reward and loss processing in psychopathy.
Farmer willingness to grow switchgrass for energy production.

A survey of Tennessee farmers was conducted to analyze their willingness to supply switchgrass to an emerging energy market. The majority of respondents had not heard of growing switchgrass for energy production and roughly half were unsure as to whether they would be willing to grow switchgrass. For those with an opinion about whether they would grow switchgrass, a two limit Tobit model was used to ascertain the effects of various farm and producer characteristics on the share of farmland they would be willing to convert. Higher net farm income per hectare had a negative influence on share, reflecting the opportunity cost of converting land. Younger farmers with higher levels of educational attainment and off-farm incomes were willing to convert a higher share of farmland. Farm size and the use of leased farmland had a negative influence on willingness to convert hectares to switchgrass production. Interestingly, while erosion issues did not appear to influence share, desire to provide wildlife habitat did. Views about on-farm issues, such as market development, use of contracts, or potential harvest limitations under the Conservation Reserve Program influenced conversion share. However, views on broader national policy issues did not significantly influence farmer willingness to convert farmland.
Mycobacterium avium Genes Upregulated Upon Infection of Acanthamoeba castellanii Demonstrate a Common Response to the Intracellular Environment

Using a previously created Mycobacterium avium genomic library with GFP-promoter trap in Mycobacterium smegmatis, we screened for genes that are upregulated upon infection of A. castellanii. Clones exhibiting a 2.5-fold or greater increase in GFP expression, out of a total of 10,000 clones, were selected for further examination. Upregulation was confirmed in subsequent experiments. A total of 20 clones showed an increase in expression 24 and 48 h after infection. Homologues were identified, and genes were found to encode for a variety of functions, including metabolic pathways, protein transcription and translation, and macromolecule degradation. Eight out of the 20 genes were found to be the same as those upregulated upon human macrophage infection. Five genes were selected to confirm upregulation in M. avium following amoeba infection, using real time PCR. All 5 genes were found to be upregulated at least 2.5-fold in M. avium. These results showed that the GFP promoter library in M. smegmatis is a valid system for studying gene upregulation in M. avium systems, and that many M. avium genes are commonly upregulated following macrophage and amoeba infection.
Concepts in Surgery of the Stomach and Duodenum

The major indications for gastric surgery are ulcer disease, cancer, and access for feeding (gastrostomy placement). This chapter begins with considerations relevant to those three indications. A brief discussion of alternative choices for a drainage procedure after gastric resection for benign disease or malignancy follows. The chapter concludes with a section on complications. This final section details recognition and management of various postgastrectomy and postvagotomy syndromes.
Three-Dimensional Laminar Boundary Layer with Small Cross-Flow

Important problems involving three-dimensional boundary layer occur in almost all internal and external aerodynamic configurations. For many of these, the flow outside the boundary layer may be resolved into a large principal component and a small crosswise velocity. In this paper, three-dimensional laminar boundary-layer flows over flat and curved surfaces are treated under such a simplification. For flat surfaces, the solutions demonstrate the effect of the free stream turning on the velocity profiles in the crosswise and primary flow directions. When the surface curvature is large and varies so as to resemble a corner, the computed examples show the manner in which the asymmetric behavior of the boundary layer results from the cross-flow. The detailed examples are chosen to illustrate flows occurring on the casing and in the blade fillets of turbomachinery.
Discrete-time Bayesian adaptive control problems with complete observations

A nonlinear Bayesian stochastic adaptive control problem with finite horizon, discrete-time, and complete observations is studied. An algorithm based on a suitable approximation is used to find in -optimal controls for the original problem. The results obtained from the application of the algorithm and a comparison with an exact solution are given. >
Choosing an exchange-rate system

Abstract The focus of academic discussions of exchange rate policy has shifted in recent years. The new literature on exchange rate regime choice emphasizes considerations relating to the problems of credibility in exchange rate targeting and the connections between exchange rate regime choices and choices of monetary and fiscal policy. Arguments for exchange rate targeting are reviewed. Under most circumstances and for most countries, a system of freely floating exchange rates is likely to be a better choice than attempting to peg the exchange rate.
Isolation and identification of phospholipids of bovine rhodopsin

Phospholipids present in digitonin solutions of bovine rhodopsin have been identified and assayed. Digitonin interferes with extraction of lipids by the usual methods; digitonin was therefore removed from the preparation as an ergosterol digitonide, soluble in absolute ethanol but precipitated in 80% ethanol. The supernatant 80% ethanol contained one portion of the phospholipid, mainly choline and ethanolamine phosphoglycerides with traces of serine phosphoglyceride and sphingomyelin. The rhodopsin residue (free from digitonin) was extracted with chloroform-methanol 2:1; this extract contained the rest of the phospholipid, which consisted only of choline and ethanolamine phosphoglycerides. Plasmalogens were not found, but could have decomposed during the procedures.
Universities and the Capitalist State: Corporate Liberalism and the Reconstruction of American Higher Education, 1894-1928

The modern university has been viewed by scholars as an oasis of academic autonomy that stands above or outside society and its political conflicts. Clyde Barrow challenges that vision with his conclusion that corporations and government have been the dominant social forces shaping the goals and structure of the American university. In particular, Barrow s thesis is that a scientific survey movement a broad political coalition led by business executives, engineers, private foundation staff members, and government officials successfully transplanted many of the values and practices of corporate and bureaucratic administration to colleges and universities. As a result, Barrow argues that universities are best understood as a part of the state s institutional structure designed to regulate academic intellectuals through a combination of market initiatives, bureaucratic procedures, and state coercion. In this manner, an ideological system has been constructed which is closely connected to the needs of the economic and political system. "
The Impact of Peer Instruction Pedagogy and Clicker Technology On Student Learning and Attitudes Toward Learning in a Large Upper-Division Political Science Course

The academic literature on teaching and learning has convincingly demonstrated a strong causal link between students’ active engagement in course content through class discussion and student learning outcomes. A central challenge faculty face in teaching large undergraduate courses (150 students) is providing students with meaningful opportunities for discussion and engagement. This study assesses the impact of Peer Instruction (PI) pedagogy and clicker technology as a means to enhance student participation, learning, and attitudes toward learning in a large upper-division political science course. It finds that Peer Instruction with the use of clickers not only improves student learning outcomes at statistically significant levels, but also positively promotes student engagement in the course, motivation to learn, and attitudes toward learning.
Understanding and Editing the Zebrafish Genome

In the last two decades, zebrafish has become one of the fastest growing model organisms in terms of publications, however it has been plagued with the absence of a key tool in the genetics toolbox: the ability to systematically make targeted mutations in the genome. That all changed with the recent emergence of custom-built, sequence-specific nucleases, i.e., zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), TAL-effector nucleases (TALENs), or clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the application of these genome-editing tools to generate targeted knockout and knock-in mutants in zebrafish. These technologies have allowed us to transition from targeted knockouts in zebrafish being a difficult, resource intensive undertaking, to something that can be done in virtually any lab with modest molecular biology experience. Furthermore, this review provides a comprehensive listing of genetic and genomic resources and online tools that zebrafish researchers can use to help find a desired mutation or design effective ZFNs, TALENs, or CRISPR guide RNAs for their targeting experiments.
Can an Accelerated Gambling Simulation Reduce Persistence on a Gambling Task

We evaluated an intervention based on a digital slot machine accelerator and whether the accelerator would decrease persistence in play on a subsequent gambling analog task. Ninety college students were randomly assigned to one of three interventions: the digital slot machine accelerator; an educational handout describing probabilities and concepts related to slot machine gambling; a control handout unrelated to gambling. Participants then played a realistic three-reel 5¢ slot machine pre-loaded with 30 credits. Participants could stop playing on any trial and could keep winnings beyond the initial 30 credits. We found that exposure to either the accelerator or educational handout decreased participants’ judgments of the probability of winning. However, only participants in the accelerator condition, not those in the educational handout condition, played significantly fewer trials on the slot machine than controls. Thus, intervention and prevention efforts may be strengthened by advanced gambling simulation that experientially demonstrate the negative long-term outcomes of gambling.
Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Awakening Thresholds and Sensory Evoked Potentials in the Rat

The EEG desynchronization response to stimuli presented during slow-wave sleep was studied in 25 chronically implanted rats after 12 hr of sleep deprivation and during control periods of normal sleep. Compared to normal sleep, sleep after deprivation was accompanied by a significant decrease in the number of EEG desynchronization responses to auditory stimuli and by an additional disproportionate decrease in the number of sustained desynchronization responses. Thalamic auditory evoked potentials were not reduced in amplitude during postdeprivation sleep, thus the decrease in number of EEG desynchronization responses to the auditory stimuli was apparently not mediated by decreased responsiveness in the peripheral auditory system. On the other hand, postdeprivation sleep was not accompanied by any significant change in total number of EEG desynchronization responses to direct trigeminal nerve stimulation nor by any change in the duration of responses to trigeminal stimulation. The results suggest that recovery from sleep loss in accompanied not by a nonspecific increase in the threshold for arousal per se but instead by a selective increase in the threshold for arousal to certain classes of peripheral stimuli.
Rising human chorionic somatomammotropin predicts ectopic pregnancy rupture following methotrexate chemotherapy

Abstract In the medical management of ectopic pregnancy, human chorionic somatomammo-tropin (hCS) proved to be a more sensitive indicator of continued trophoblastic activity than either beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) or progesterone (P). In the authors' series of 21 women treated with methotrexate for ectopic pregnancies, only two ruptured. In both cases, hCS levels continued to rise during and after methotrexate treatment. Concomitantly, β-hCG and P decreased in both of these patients. The authors thus interpret increasing hCS as a reflection of continued syncytiotrophoblast growth, signalling impending rupture. Furthermore, patients with levels of hCS
The Effectiveness of a Physical Activity Educational Campaign in a Rural Obstetrics and Gynecology Office

Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an early intervention health education campaign to positively influence physical activity (PA) knowledge, intention, and performance among prenatal women and women of reproductive age. Methods This study employed a quantitative, quasi-experimental, control-group comparison design with nonprobability sampling methodology. Implemented in rural healthcare settings located in the Southeastern portion of the United States, participants included prenatal patients and patients of reproductive age (n = 325) from two separate obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) offices. While the intervention group was solicited from an OB/GYN office where the information-based health education campaign was implemented, the comparison group was solicited from a comparable OB/GYN office that did not implement the health education campaign. Results The women exposed to the PA health education campaign were significantly more likely to report that PA information was provided at their physician's office, scored higher on PA knowledge, and were more likely to meet the guidelines for vigorous PA and strength training (p < 0.05). Conclusions Physical activity educational campaigns are a cost effective intervention that can be implemented in healthcare settings to promote maternal and child health.
Characterization Studies of a Fully Reacted High Bronze-To-Niobium Ratio Filamentary Nb3Sn Composite

An attempt has been made to increase the chemical homogeneity of Nb3Sn layers in a conventional bronze-process composite with excess Sn through extended time reaction heat treatments at high temperature (> 750°C). This study has included measurements of Jc, Bc2, local chemical composition, and grain size and morphology. The local bronze/Nb ratio has been found to influence the local chemical composition even after extensive reaction times. The dependence of Bc2 on local composition variation is uncertain. Critical current densities at high magnetic fields have been improved up to 50% over those obtained for heat treatments at 700°C. These increases are attributed to increased values of Bc2, but they are accompanied by a reduction in JQ below 12 T. Drastically reduced Jc is found with overaging, despite a quite high value of Bc2. Grain size is found to increase strongly with heat treatment temperature and a large variation is found above 750°C. Equiaxed morphologies have been found at all temperatures between 650°C and 800°C.
Primitive Catarrhines and Fossil Apes

The Miocene of Africa and Eurasia contains an extensive fossil record of early apes and primitive catarrhines that are broadly ancestral to the living great apes and humans. The proconsuloids area diverse radiation of stem hominoids from the early and middle Miocene of eastern Africa. As a group they were predominantly arboreal and frugivorous also some taxa show indications of terrestrial quadrupedal abilities, and some were relatively folivorous. In the late Miocene of Africa there are some poorly known species that have been recognized as hominids, broadly related to extant great apes and humans. However, none of these fossil species show the numerous skeletal adaptations to suspensory behavior that characterize all living hominoids. Extant African great apes are known from only by single fossil chimp from the middle Pleistocene. In the Miocene of Europe, the pliopithecoids were a diverse radiation of medium-sized, arboreal, primitive catarrhines from the Miocene of Eurasia that includes both frugivorous and folivorous taxa with locomotor abilities similar to those of large platyrrhines. The European Miocene also contains many large fossil apes that were stem hominids. They were all arboreal frugivores but lacked the extreme suspensory adaptations of living great apes. Rather they show a mosaic pattern of suspensory features. There are several large fossil apes from the middle and late Miocene of Asia that include both stem hominids and several taxa directly related to the living orangutans. There are Pleistocene orangutans from many parts of Eastern Asia. The fossil history of gibbons is largely unknown.
Mechanistic CHF modeling for natural circulation applications in SMR

Abstract A mechanistic critical heat flux correlation has been developed for a wide range of operating conditions which include low mass fluxes of 540–890 kg/m 2 -s, high pressures of 12–13 MPa, and critical heat fluxes of 835–1100 kW/m 2 . Eleven experimental data points have been collected over these conditions to inform the development of the model using bundle geometry. Errors of within 15% have been obtained with the proposed model for predicting the critical heat flux value, location, and critical pin power for a non-uniform heat flux applied to a 2 × 2 bundle configuration.
Teaching the Art of Difficult Family Conversations.

Abstract Context Difficult family conversations are a challenge for even the most seasoned clinicians. Teaching the skills of successful communication between providers, family members, and patients is a vital component of medical education. However, traditional teaching methods using didactics and expert role modeling are often inadequate. Objectives The train-the-educator workshop aimed to teach educators how to create and conduct workshops on facilitating difficult family conversations that target their own learners' needs. Methods This three-hour workshop included instruction on scenario writing and on the use of standardized actors as patients and family members. Workshop leaders presented examples of commonly encountered clinical scenarios where difficult information is discussed. The session used experiential teaching techniques. Outcomes were measured by qualitative discussions and a questionnaire to demonstrate communication skills learned from the sessions. Results The workshop was well received by participants who consisted of educators attending the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies in May 2016. Evaluations revealed that 92% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that the workshop achieved the learning objectives. All participants believed that the workshop increased their knowledge, competency, and skills in teaching and facilitation as an educator, with 86% of participants planning to apply the skills toward curriculum development. The major themes that participants learned centered on facilitation skills as an educator and techniques on how to communicate during challenging family meetings (86% of comments). Conclusion This train-the-educator workshop addresses a critical need in both palliative care and general medicine by enhancing the educators' skills in designing and implementing a curriculum on communication skills of health care providers using experiential techniques with formative feedback. The authors hope that by outlining the implementation of this three-hour interactive format, future educators will adapt and use this workshop as it works best for their learners.
Probing Homogeneous Line Broadening in CdSe Nanocrystals Using Multidimensional Electronic Spectroscopy

The finite spectral line width of an ensemble of CdSe nanocrystals arises from size and shape inhomogeneity and the single-nanocrystal spectrum itself. This line width directly limits the performance of nanocrystal-based devices, yet most optical measurements cannot resolve the underlying contributions. We use two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy (2D ES) to measure the line width of the band-edge exciton of CdSe nanocrystals as a function of radii and surface chemistry. We find that the homogeneous width decreases for increasing nanocrystal radius and that surface chemistry plays a critical role in controlling this line width. To explore the hypothesis that unpassivated trap states serve to broaden the homogeneous line width and to explain its size-dependence, we use 3D ES to identify the spectral signatures of exciton–phonon coupling to optical and acoustic phonons. We find enhanced coupling to optical phonon modes for nanocrystals that lack electron-passivating ligands, suggesting that localized surf...
Observation of 149Tm decay to 149Er levels and beta -delayed proton emission.

With the use of an on-line isotope separator, /sup 149/Tm (T/sub 1/2/ = 0.9 +- 0.2 s) was identified in /sup 58/Ni bombardments of /sup 94/Mo. Seven ..gamma.. rays were observed to follow the isotope's (..beta../sup +/+electron capture) decay, including the 111.3-keV transition known from /sup 149/Er/sup m/ isomeric decay to be the d/sub 3/2/ (111.3 keV)..-->..s/sub 1/2/ (0.0 keV) ..gamma.. ray in /sup 149/Er. In addition to the previously known levels at 111.3 (d/sub 3/2/) and 741.5 (h/sub 11/2/) keV in /sup 149/Er, our data establish three other excited states, at 907.4 ((5/2/sup +/), 1066.2 ((7/2/sup -/), and 1482.9 ((9/2/sup -/, (11/2/sup -/) keV. Coincidences observed between Er K x rays and protons in the A = 149 mass chain show that /sup 149/Tm is a ..beta..-delayed proton precursor.
Cardiac events during treatment with proteasome inhibitor therapy for multiple myeloma

Proteasome inhibitors (PI) bortezomib and carfilzomib are cornerstone therapies for multiple myeloma. Higher incidence of cardiac adverse events (CAEs) has been reported in patients receiving carfilzomib. However, risk factors for cardiac toxicity remain unclear. Our objective was to evaluate the incidence of CAEs associated with PI and recognize risk factors for developing events. This was a descriptive analysis of 96 patients with multiple myeloma who received bortezomib (n = 44) or carfilzomib (n = 52). We compared the cumulative incidence of CAEs using a log rank test. Patient-related characteristics were assessed and multivariate analysis was used to identify risk factors for developing CAEs. PI-related CAEs occurred in 21 (22%) patients. Bortezomib-associated CAEs occurred in 7 (16%) patients while carfilzomib-associated cardiac events occurred in 14 (27%) patients. The cumulative incidence of CAEs was not significantly different between agents. Events occurred after a median of 67.5 days on PI therapy. Heart failure was the most prevalent event type. More patients receiving carfilzomib were monitored by a cardiologist. By multivariate analysis, a history of prior cardiac events and longer duration of PI therapy were identified as independent risk factors for developing CAEs. AEs were common in patients receiving PIs. Choice of PI did not impact the cumulative incidence of CAEs. Early involvement by a cardiologist in patients at high risk for CAEs may help to mitigate the frequency and severity of CAEs.
Management of Persistent Angina After Myocardial Infarction Treated With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights From the TRANSLATE-ACS Study.

BackgroundAngina has important implications for patients’ quality of life and healthcare utilization. Angina management after acute myocardial infarction (MI) treated with percutaneous coronary int...
Rabbis and Classical Rhetoric: Sophistic Education and Oratory in the Talmud and Midrash

Training in rhetoric - the art of persuasion - formed the basis of education in the Roman Empire. The classical intellectual world centered around the debate between philosophers, who boasted knowledge of objective reality, and sophists, who could debate both sides of any issue and who attracted large audiences and paying students. The roles of the Talmudic rabbis as public orators, teachers, and jurists, parallel that of Roman orators. Rabbinic literature adopted and adapted various aspects of the classical rhetorical tradition, as is demonstrated in the Talmudic penchant for arguing both sides of hypothetical cases, the midrashic hermeneutical methods, and the structure of synagogue sermons. At the same time, the rabbis also resisted the extreme epistemological relativism of rhetoric as is evident in their restraint on theoretical argumentation, their depiction of rabbinic and divine court procedure, and their commitment to the biblical prophetic tradition. Richard Hidary demonstrates how rabbis succeeded in navigating a novel path between platonic truth and rhetorical relativism.
Repurposing disulfiram for cancer therapy via targeted nanotechnology through enhanced tumor mass penetration and disassembly

Abstract Disulfiram (DSF), an FDA approved drug for the treatment of alcoholism, degrades to therapeutically active diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) in the body by reduction. Hereby, we developed a redox sensitive DDTC-polymer conjugate for targeted cancer therapy. It was found that the DDTC-polymer conjugate modified with a β- d -galactose receptor targeting ligand can self-assemble into LDNP nanoparticle and efficiently enter cancer cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Upon cellular uptake, the LDNP nanoparticle degrades and releases DDTC due to the cleavage of disulfide bonds, and subsequently forms copper (II) DDTC complex to kill a broad spectrum of cancer cells. 3D cell culture revealed that this nanoparticle shows much stronger tumor mass penetrating and destructive capacity. Furthermore, LDNP nanoparticles exhibited much greater potency in inhibiting tumor growth in a peritoneal metastatic ovarian tumor model. Statement of Significance The β- d -galactose receptor targeted disulfiram loaded nanoparticle (LDNP) is novel in the following aspects: 1. Lactobionic acid (LBA) targets β- d -galactose receptor, which is a surface lectin that is overexpressed in various types of cancer cells, such as liver and ovarian cancers. The introducing of LBA ligand, endows the LDNP/Cu nanoparticle with stronger penetrating and destructive capacity in a tumor spheroid model. 2. The premature release of disulfiram from the nanoparticle can be minimized through the formation of polymer-prodrug based LDNP. 3. The LDNP nanoparticle fabricated from a polymer-disulfiram derivative conjugate can selectively kill a broad spectrum of cancer cells, while sparing normal cells. 4. In vivo study carried out in a clinically relevant orthotopic ovarian tumor model revealed that LDNP/Cu exhibits stronger efficacy in inhibiting the progression of metastatic ovarian cancer than a dosage form used in clinical trial, while not inducing side effects.
Time Attributable to Obesity in Surgery: A Multi-specialty Report on Day-of-Surgery Resource Utilization from 189,264 Cases

Obesity presents a unique challenge in caring for surgical patients and has been shown to adversely affect outcomes for several operative procedures. However, quantitative data on surgical resource utilization attributable to obesity are scarce. The aim of this study was to quantify day-of-surgery resource utilization by degree of obesity. Patients undergoing one of 14 common surgical procedures at our multicenter institution between 2008 and 2017 were identified from our operating room management databank. Multiple-variable regression analysis (MVRA) was performed to quantify the independent effect of body mass index (BMI) category on day-of-surgery resource utilization variables including procedure time, non-operative OR time, PACU time, number of unique staff and number of supplies used. Trends in mean BMI were examined for each procedure studied. MVRA of the 189,264 cases in the database revealed consistently significant (p < 0.05) stepwise increase in procedure time by BMI category for all procedures studied. Non-operative OR time was also significantly prolonged, though to a lesser degree. There was no significant impact on number of unique staff, supplies utilized or PACU time by BMI category. Procedures most impacted by BMI category in terms of resource utilization were ventral hernia repair, laminectomy and hysterectomy. Our study quantified day-of-surgery resource utilization for 14 major surgical procedures by BMI category. The need for additional resources to accommodate patients in higher BMI groups was consistent across all procedures studied and was primarily reflected by lengthened operative times.
Iterative Design toward Equity: Youth Repertoires of Practice in a High School Maker Space.

Despite their potential, maker activities do not always support equitable engagement. The authors report on a design research study where they worked to support equitable engagement of youth repert...
Fabrication and cold-test of a wideband Ka-band dielectric-loaded traveling-wave tube

We have fabricated a Ka-band dielectric loaded traveling-wave tube with high instantaneous bandwidth of 10GHz centered at 33.25GHz. The process of fabrication involves copper and ceramics machining and several hierarchical assembly steps. We report on the fabrication steps and RF system design. We are currently doing cold-test of the TWT using network analyzer and Ka band signal source.
Navigating conflict and difference in medical education: insights from moral psychology

Medical students and educators face a myriad of complex moral disagreements and conflicts both in preclinical and clinical training environments. Inability to deal with these conflicts effectively and compassionately can lead to undesirable consequences and threaten important relationships in high-stakes healthcare environments. We suggest that the integration of moral psychology into medical education can help trainees and faculty constructively respond to behavior they may find immoral or misguided. Here we focus on the application of Moral Foundations Theory (MFT), which demonstrates how the instantaneous gut reactions which guide reactionary behavior can be categorized into six foundational categories. These categories offer psychological explanations for human behavior which can help medical trainees and professionals navigate challenging moral conflicts.
On-Chip Detection from Directly Modulated Quantum Dot Microring Lasers on Si

We present on-chip detection from directly modulated microring quantum-dot (QD) lasers grown on exact (001) Si. Static and dynamic properties of the QD-based microring lasers and microdetectors have been investigated. The ring lasers exhibit high temperature stabilities up to 100°C, low thresholds down to sub milliamp, and a wide 3 dB bandwidth up to 6.5 GHz. The microdetectors show small dark currents down to 0.2 nA and eye openings up to 10 Gbit/s with non-return-to-zero signals. Light emission from the microring lasers can be probed via the changes in the photocurrent of the microdetectors, realizing on-chip QD laser and detector system on Si by epitaxy. Furthermore, demonstrated downscaling abilities of the QD based devices promise improved integration density for photonic integrated circuits (PIC).
A Differentially Private Distributed Solution Approach to the Model Predictive Control of Building Clusters

Coordinated control of a cluster of buildings can lead to reduced energy usage and demand charge. However, it requires individual buildings to share local data, e.g., their energy demands. The leak of such data could potentially be used by third parties to infer sensitive information such as occupancy that could be used to the detriment of building occupants. In this paper, using the notion of differential privacy, a distributed algorithm based on the Alternating Direction Method of Multiplier (ADMM) algorithm is proposed for the coordinated control of building clusters that can provide guaranteed levels of privacy for individual buildings by adding noises to the data being exchanged. Theoretical bounds on the strength of noises needed to achieve given privacy levels are derived, and the performance suboptimality caused by the added noise is demonstrated through simulations.
Evaluation of pull-off strength and seating displacement of sleeved ceramic revision heads in modular hip arthroplasty.

Corrosion in revision total hip arthroplasty can be mitigated using a ceramic head on a well-fixed in situ stem, but concerns of their early failure because of any surface defects on in situ stem necessitates the use of a titanium sleeve, which furnishes a factory-finish surface. These sleeves are manufactured in different sizes allowing neck-length adjustment. The strength of the taper junction of non-sleeved primary heads is well-investigated, but the influence of an interposed titanium sleeve on achieving a secure taper lock is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the pull-off strength and seating displacement of revision ceramic heads and titanium taper sleeves. Two different head diameters and two different taper adapter sleeve offset lengths were mated with trunnions at two different impaction forces. The seating displacement and pull-off force was recorded for each specimen. Profilometry of the grooved outer surfaces of the sleeve and trunnion was done before and after testing to analyze the change in surface roughness. The influence of head diameter, sleeve offset, and impaction force on seating displacement and pull-off force was analyzed using analysis of covariance. Pull-off forces for 6 kN assembly force were approximately three times those for 2 kN. The head diameter did not have a significant effect on the measured parameters. Compared with short offset length sleeves, extra-long increased seating displacement by 31% and reduced pull-off forces by 15%. While sleeves of different offset lengths permit control of neck length, surgeons must be careful of the impact of this choice on the stability of implant. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:1523-1528, 2020.
“As the Test Collapses In”: Teaching and Learning Amid High-Stakes Testing in Two Urban Elementary Classrooms:

Although there is much research detailing the pedagogical constraints of high-stakes testing (HST), there is less that examines teachers’ practices within and beyond its control. This multiple case...
A time-varying approach to single particle tracking with a nonlinear observation model

Single Particle Tracking (SPT) is a powerful class of tools for analyzing the dynamics of individual biological macromolecules moving inside living cells. The acquired data is typically in the form of a sequence of camera images that are then post-processed to reveal details about the motion. In this work, we develop a local time-varying estimation algorithm for estimating motion model parameters from the data considering nonlinear observations. Our approach uses several well-known existing tools, namely the Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm combined with an Unscented Kalman filter (UKF) and an Unscented Rauch-Tung-Striebel smoother (URTSS), and applies them to the time-varying case through a sliding window methodology. Due to the shot noise characteristics of the photon generation process, this model uses a Poisson distribution to capture the measurement noise inherent in imaging. In order to apply our time-varying approach to the UKF, we first need to transform the measurements into a model with additive Gaussian noise. This is carried out using a variance stabilizing transform. Results from simulations show that our approach is successful in tracing time-varying diffusion constants at a range of physically relevant signal levels. We also discuss the initialization for the EM algorithm based on the available data.
PIP2: A critical regulator of vascular ion channels hiding in plain sight

The phosphoinositide, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), has long been established as a major contributor to intracellular signaling, primarily by virtue of its role as a substrate for phospholipase C (PLC). Signaling by Gq-protein–coupled receptors triggers PLC-mediated hydrolysis of PIP2 into inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol, which are well known to modulate vascular ion channel activity. Often overlooked, however, is the role PIP2 itself plays in this regulation. Although numerous reports have demonstrated that PIP2 is critical for ion channel regulation, how it impacts vascular function has received scant attention. In this review, we focus on PIP2 as a regulator of ion channels in smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells—the two major classes of vascular cells. We further address the concerted effects of such regulation on vascular function and blood flow control. We close with a consideration of current knowledge regarding disruption of PIP2 regulation of vascular ion channels in disease.
Securing the Future for a Major Academic Cardiovascular Program: Hardwiring a Referral Network and Preparing for a Transition to Value-Based Reimbursement

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine and Albert B. Chandler Hospital opened over 50 years ago to serve Kentucky. After initial growth and expansion, both were struggling clinically, acade...
Decoding Categorical Speech Perception from Evoked Brain Responses

Categorical perception (CP) is important to understand how fast and accurately speech sounds are invariantly perceived by humans despite widespread variability in their physical acoustic properties. In this work, we built a framework to understand the temporal (when in time) characteristics of speech evoked responses that differentiate prototypical vowels (true phonetic categories) from ambiguous ones (lacking a clear phonetic identity). We recorded event-related potentials (ERPs) from in young, healthy adults as they rapidly classified speech sounds along an acoustic-phonetic continuum. Source derived response features were submitted to support vector machine (SVM) classifiers. Whole-brain data provided the best decoding of prototypical from ambiguous speech with an accuracy of 95.16% [area under the curve (AUC) 95.14%; F1-score 95.00%] at 120 ms. Separate analyses using left hemisphere (LH) and right hemisphere (RH) data showed that LH activity was a better predictor of speech categorization as compared to RH (89.03 % vs. 86.45% accuracy). Notably, CP was decoded less robustly and later in time using hemisphere-specific data compared to whole-brain data. Our results are consistent with notions that the early ERPs (e.g., P2) are sensitive to CP and the general dominance of LH in auditory-linguistic processing.
NGS-based identification and tracing of microsatellite instability from minute amounts DNA using inter-Alu-PCR.

Sensitive detection of microsatellite instability (MSI) in tissue or liquid biopsies using next generation sequencing (NGS) has growing prognostic and predictive applications in cancer. However, the complexities of NGS make it cumbersome as compared to established multiplex-PCR detection of MSI. We present a new approach to detect MSI using inter-Alu-PCR followed by targeted NGS, that combines the practical advantages of multiplexed-PCR with the breadth of information provided by NGS. Inter-Alu-PCR employs poly-adenine repeats of variable length present in every Alu element and provides a massively-parallel, rapid approach to capture poly-A-rich genomic fractions within short 80-150bp amplicons generated from adjacent Alu-sequences. A custom-made software analysis tool, MSI-tracer, enables Alu-associated MSI detection from tissue biopsies or MSI-tracing at low-levels in circulating-DNA. MSI-associated indels at somatic-indel frequencies of 0.05-1.5% can be detected depending on the availability of matching normal tissue and the extent of instability. Due to the high Alu copy-number in human genomes, a single inter-Alu-PCR retrieves enough information for identification of MSI-associated-indels from ∼100 pg circulating-DNA, reducing current limits by ∼2-orders of magnitude and equivalent to circulating-DNA obtained from finger-sticks. The combined practical and informational advantages of inter-Alu-PCR make it a powerful tool for identifying tissue-MSI-status or tracing MSI-associated-indels in liquid biopsies.
Productive Efficiency and Salary Distribution: The Case of US Major League Baseball

Recent theoretical research suggests that a firm's salary structure can affect the firm's productivity. We investigate the relationship between payroll inequality and production using US Major League Baseball data. Employing panel data methods, this study finds that salary inequality has a significantly negative effect on team success. A general result is that team success in term of wins does not seem to be correlated with efficiency; specifically, some of the least successful teams are also some of the most efficient. In addition, salary inequality does not appear to be correlated with efficiency. Furthermore, revenues generated by teams are not necessarily correlated with team efficiency.
The effects of incremental changes in rucksack load on lower extremity joint Kinetic patterns during ruck marching.

Injuries are often attributed to ruck marching. Therefore, it is important to examine how load carriage influences gait mechanics. The purpose of this study was to examine how subtle changes in ruc...
Autoimmune Hepatitis Associated with COVID-19 Infection - A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Dilemma

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative virus of the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Hepatic involvement is widely reported, and there are many proposed causes of liver injury in this setting. We present a patient who developed autoimmune hepatitis in association with the COVID-19 infection, which created a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma.