cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of the combination of music and nature sounds on pain and anxiety in cardiac surgical patients: a randomized study.

Background Postoperative pain and anxiety are common in cardiac surgery patients. Studies have suggested that music can decrease anxiety in hospitalized patients. Primary Study Objective This study focused on the efficacy and feasibility of special music, which included nature sounds, for pain and anxiety. Methods/design In this randomized controlled trial, postoperative cardiovascular surgery patients were randomly assigned to a music group to receive 20 minutes of standard postoperative care and music twice daily on postoperative days 2 through 4 or to a control group to receive 20 minutes of standard care with a quiet resting period twice daily on postoperative days 2 through 4. Setting Cardiovascular surgical unit of Saint Marys Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota. Participants One hundred patients completed the study (music group, n = 49; control group, n = 51). Intervention The music was delivered through CD players in the patients' rooms. Primary outcome measures Pain, anxiety, satisfaction, and relaxation were evaluated from visual analog scales. Results Data showed a significant decrease in mean (SD) pain scores after the second session of day 2 for the music group (change, ?1.4 [1.4]) compared with the control group (change, ?0.4 [1.4]) (P = .001). Mean relaxation scores improved more at the first session of day 2 for the music group (change, 1.9 [2.7]) compared with the control group (change, 0.3 [2.9]) (P = .03). The music group also showed lower anxiety and increased satisfaction overall, but these differences were not statistically significant. No major barriers to using the therapy were identified. Conclusion Recorded music and nature sounds can be integrated into the postoperative care of cardiovascular surgery patients. The recordings may provide an additional means for addressing common symptoms of pain and anxiety while providing a means of relaxation for these patients.
Modeling of Fly Ash Concrete Mixtures

A Factor Analysis Model was applied to existing literature data on fly ash and cement properties to relate them to the strength and durability of the cured pozzolanic concrete products. A normal curve was fitted to each independent fly ash and cement property and to each dependent strength property. Functions of the moments, such as indicators of skewness and kurtosis of each property, were calculated and the significance of their departures from the expected values of a normal population was examined. About one-half of the properties were log-normally distributed; the remainder were normally distributed as given. A predictive model was proposed for compressive strength, using the percent sulfate as representative of Factor I, the cement quantity as representative of Factor II, and the percent Fe2O3 as representative of Factor III.
Some aspects of the tubular locus of the natriuretic action of vasoactive drugs.

SummaryExperiments were performed to evaluate the relative contribution of changes in proximal and distal tubular reabsorption to the natriuresis induced by vasodilator–vasopressor combinations (vasoactive drugs). In normal dogs preloaded with hyperoncotic albumin, vasoactive drugs induced natriuresis without altering PFSR, nephron filtration rate or calculated distal delivery of filtered sodium. Thus, these agents can increase sodium excretion by inhibiting distal reabsorption in the absence of a proximal effect. In saline-loaded dogs with thoracic vena caval constriction, the natriuresis induced by vasoactive drugs was associated with a fall in PFSR and an increase in calculated distal delivery. In these edematous dogs, proximal and distal inhibition both appear to contribute to the increase in sodium excretion.These studies were supported by NIH Grant Nos. AM-11793, AM-14004, AM-5209 and HE-07299, and the Nova Scotia Heart Foundation Grant-in-Aid No. X67-22. L. M. B. was a Lilly International Fellow an...
Radiation-induced apoptosis is not enhanced by expression of either p53 or BAX in SW626 ovarian cancer cells

The p53 protein is known to play a central role in mediating G1 arrest or apoptosis in response to ionizing radiation in some cell types. It has been proposed that the link between p53 and induction of apoptosis is provided in part by p53-mediated upregulation of BAX. In this study, we used the human SW626 ovarian cancer cell line, which lacks functional p53, to further investigate the relationship between wildtype p53, BAX, and apoptosis. SW626 cells expressing a temperature sensitive (ts) p53 mutant did not undergo G1 arrest or apoptosis and did not exhibit enhanced sensitivity to radiation at the permissive temperature of 32 degrees C. The tsp53 protein was functional in these cells as evidenced by rapid induction of p21 at 32 degrees C, but not at 37 degrees C. Interestingly, restoration of wildtype p53 function at 32 degrees C was not associated with BAX upregulation. In addition, stable overexpression of BAX in SW626 cells was not capable of enhancing apoptotic cell death in response to radiation. Thus, failure of p53 to upregulate BAX is not the sole reason for its inability to promote radiation-induced apoptosis in SW626 cells. Taken together, our data suggest that neither p53 nor BAX upregulation is sufficient for the induction of apoptosis in response to genotoxic damage in some cell types.
Effect of Sample Volume on Coagulation Tests

This study was undertaken to determine an acceptable range of specimen volumes for routine coagulation tests, that is, the prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) tests. Samples were obtained from healthy volunteers, patients who were receiving warfarin (Coumadin), and patients who were receiving heparin therapy. Specimen volumes, from as little as 3.0 mL to as much as 6.0 mL, were collected from each patient into blue-stoppered evacuated (Vacutainer1") tubes that contained 0.5 mL of 3.8% buffered sodium citrate. Results ofPT and APTT tests from the above specimens were compared with 4.5-mL samples from the same patients that were collected at the same time. Test results in each category of sample volumes, 3.0,3.5,5.5, and 6.0 mL, were compared with the corresponding 4.5-mL sample size. The only statistically and clinically significant difference in test results was in the 3.0-mL sample sizes from healthy volunteers who were tested for APTTs. Although a 4-second difference in the APTT, seen in the 3.5-mL sample size from healthy volunteers, was not statistically significant, this difference may be exaggerated in patients with a higher than normal hematocrit.We can, therefore, recommend that tolerance limits for sample size for commercially available blue-stoppered evacuated tubes that contain 0.5 mL of 3.8% sodium citrate to be at least between 3.5 and 6.0 mL from patients with a normal or lower hematocrit.
Strategies to promote Chinese international students’ school performance: resolving the challenges in American higher education

In recent years, there has been an increase in Chinese international students attending American universities. Chinese international students in American higher education represent the largest group of international students from a single country. However, research and media reports have documented that Chinese students in America are now facing a variety of difficulties in their education in America. In this regard, this study aims to track Chinese international student progress and further identify supports that may increase their academic success at American universities and colleges. Informed by the voices and experiences of participants, the findings from the study demonstrate that the Chinese international students who are currently attending American higher education are facing difficulties in language proficiency, emotional issues, and American pedagogy. Based on the findings, the author has provided recommendations to increase Chinese international students’ academic success in American institutions of higher education.
Methaphor: A Tool for Promoting Prospective Elementary Teachers' Participation in Science Teacher Learning Community

(2001). Methaphor: A Tool for Promoting Prospective Elementary Teachers' Participation in Science Teacher Learning Community. Journal of Science Teacher Education: Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 87-106.
Experimental impact of magnet and regenerator design on the refrigeration performance of first-order magnetocaloric materials

The first-order magnetic transition material LaFeSiMn(H) is used to create multi-stage regenerators to investigate the importance of regenerator and magnet design on magnetocaloric refrigeration performance. Aspect ratio, magnetic field strength, particle size, and staging are varied while keeping overall span and material mass at a constant level. Tests carried out on these regenerators show that the regenerator and magnetic systems play a key role in determining the performance of a magnetocaloric refrigerator. A one-dimensional numerical machine model using both measured material data and data reconstructed from a mathematical material model is used to predict test results. The machine model and material model make predictions with less than 5% average error over the range of experimental parameters.
Two Complete Mitochondrial Genomes from Praticolella mexicana Perez, 2011 (Polygyridae) and Gene Order Evolution in Helicoidea (Mollusca, Gastropoda)

Helicoidea is a diverse group of land snails with a global distribution. While much is known regarding the relationships of helicoid taxa, comparatively little is known about the evolution of the mitochondrial genome in the superfamily. We sequenced two complete mitochondrial genomes from Praticolella mexicana Perez, 2011 representing the first such data from the helicoid family Polygyridae, and used them in an evolutionary analysis of mitogenomic gene order. We found the mitochondrial genome of Praticolella mexicana to be 14,008 bp in size, possessing the typical 37 metazoan genes. Multiple alternate stop codons are used, as are incomplete stop codons. Mitogenome size and nucleotide content is consistent with other helicoid species. Our analysis of gene order suggested that Helicoidea has undergone four mitochondrial rearrangements in the past. Two rearrangements were limited to tRNA genes only, and two involved protein coding genes.
Biometrics with physical exercise using Laser Doppler Vibrometry measurements of the carotid pulse

Understanding the variability of the cardiacrelated signals caused by physical exercise is an interesting and important problem. To our knowledge, there is no paper evaluating the biometric consistency of the cardiovascular based signals during the physical exercise, or the extent to which the signals can recover after that. A novel method of remotely sensing mechanical activity related to the carotid pulse with Laser Doppler Vibrometry (LDV) has been developed. Encouraging results are obtained on the evaluation of the LDV cardiovascular signal as a biometric marker. A new protocol is set up to produce changes in heart rate by physical exercise. Spectral based approaches are applied following the success in general biometric authentication. An equal error rate of 2.8% for inter-state tests indicates that the LDV pulse signal is quite stable even after moderate physical exercise. The performance degrades during exercise, especially when the heart rate reaches 55% of the age-adjusted theoretical maximum heart rate. When the test individuals start resting, the performance improves as the heart rate recovered within seconds. We can say that the short-term variability caused by heart rate fluctuations and respiration changes recover with enough stability in a short time for biometric consistency.
Blazed diffraction gratings produced by ion bombardment of pre-patterned solid surfaces

We propose a method of producing high quality blazed gratings and carry out simulations of it. By combining the near perfect periodicity produced by conventional lithographic methods with the tendency of ion sputtering to produce terraced topographies, this fabrication procedure could produce highly ordered, faceted surfaces on amorphous materials. Our approach differs from previous uses of ion bombardment to fabricate blazed gratings, and has the unique advantage that it could be used as the initial step in the fabrication of high efficiency multilayer-coated blazed gratings. Our numerical investigations of the relevant equations of motion demonstrate that our method produces efficient blazed gratings for a broad range of parameter values. We also develop concrete predictions regarding the optimal implementation of our proposed procedure, and show that high quality blazed gratings can emerge even if additional linear or nonlinear terms are present in the equation of motion.
Experience of US Patients Who Self-identify as Having an Overdiagnosed Thyroid Cancer: A Qualitative Analysis.

Importance Overdiagnosis of cancer—the identification of cancers that are unlikely to progress—is a source of discomfort and challenge for patients, physicians, and health care systems. A major cause of this discomfort is the inability to know prospectively with certainty which cancers are overdiagnosed. In thyroid cancer, as patients have begun to understand this concept, some individuals are independently deciding not to intervene, despite this practice not yet being widely accepted. Objective To describe the current experience of people who independently self-identify as having an overdiagnosed cancer and elect not to intervene. Design, Setting, and Participants In this qualitative study, semistructured interviews were conducted between July 1 and December 31, 2015, with 22 community-dwelling adults aged 21 to 75 years who had an incidentally identified thyroid finding that was known or suspected to be malignant and who questioned the intervention recommended by their physicians. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using constant comparative analysis. Main Outcomes and Measures The experience of individuals who self-identify as having an overdiagnosed cancer and elect not to intervene. Results Of the 22 people interviewed (16 females and 6 males; mean age, 48.5 years), 18 had elected not to intervene on their thyroid finding and had been living with the decision for a mean of 39 months (median, 40 months; range, 1-88 months). Twelve of the 18 participants reported that they experienced significant anxiety about cancer progression, but had considered reasons for choosing nonintervention: understanding issues of precision in diagnostic testing and the varied behavior of cancer, surgical risks, medication use, and low risk of death from the cancer. Twelve participants described their decisions as met with nonreassuring, unsupportive responses. Medical professionals, friends, and internet discussion groups told them they were “being stupid,” “were wrong,” or were “crazy” to not intervene. Although 14 individuals said they wished to connect with others about their experiences, only 3 reported success in doing so. Fifteen participants reported that they managed their overall experience through secret keeping. By the time of this study, 5 of the 18 individuals had discontinued surveillance, the recommended alternative to intervention. Despite this, only 7 participants “wished they did not know” about their thyroid finding. Conclusions and Relevance Isolation and anxiety characterize the current experience of patients with thyroid cancer who are living with the decision to not intervene. These patients are at risk of disengaging from health care. Successful de-escalation of intervention for patients who self-identify as having overdiagnosed cancers requires explicit social and health system support and education. We hypothesize that improved support would also promote quality of care by increasing the likelihood that patients could be kept engaged for recommended surveillance.
Experiments with Strassen's Algorithm: From Sequential to Parallel

This paper studies Strassen’s matrix multiplication algorithm by implementing it in a variety of methods: sequential, workflow, and in parallel. All the methods show better performance than the well-known scientific libraries for medium to large size matrices. The sequential recursive program is implemented and compared with ATLAS’s DGEMM subroutine. A workflow program in the NetSolve system and two parallel programs based on MPI and ScaLAPACK are also implemented. By analyzing the time complexity and memory requirement of each method, we provide insight into how to utilize Strassen’s Algorithm to speedup matrix multiplication based on existing high performance tools or libraries.
Sedimentary laminations in the Isheyevo (CH/CBb) carbonaceous chondrite formed by gentle impact-plume sweep-up

Abstract Prominent macroscopic sedimentary laminations, consisting of mm- to cm-thick alternating well-sorted but poorly mixed silicate and metal-rich layers cut by faults and downward penetrating load structures, are prevalent in the Isheyevo (CH/CBb) carbonaceous chondrite. The load structures give the up direction of this sedimentary rock that accumulated from in-falling metal- and silicate-rich grains under near vacuum conditions onto the surface of an accreting planetesimal. The Isheyevo meteorite is the end result of a combination of events and processes that we suggest was initiated by the glancing blow impact of two planetesimals. The smaller impactor was disrupted forming an impact plume downrange of the impact. The components within the plume were aerodynamically size sorted by the nebular gas and swept up by the impacted planetesimal before turbulent mixing within the plume could blur the effects of the sorting. This plume would have contained a range of materials including elementally zoned Fe-Ni metal grains that condensed in the plume to disrupted unaltered material from the crust of the impactor, such as the hydrated matrix lumps. The juxtaposition of hydrated matrix lumps, some of which have not been heated above 150 °C, together with components that formed above 1000 °C, is compelling evidence that they were swept up together. Sweep-up would have occurred as the rotating impactor moved through the plume producing layers of material: the Isheyevo sample thus represents material accumulated while that part of the rotating planetesimal moved into the plume. Vibrations from subsequent impacts helped to form the load structures and induced weak grading within the layers via kinetic sieving. Following sweep-up, the particles were compacted under low static temperatures as evidenced by the preservation of elementally zoned Fe-Ni metal grains with preserved martensite α 2 cores, distinct metal-metal grain boundaries, and metal-deformation microstructures. This meteorite provides evidence of gentle layer-by-layer accretion in the early Solar System, and also extends the terrestrial sedimentary source-to-sink paradigm to a near vacuum environment where neither fluvial nor aeolian processes operate.
Power Train Computer Control Systems

Abstract Electronic applications in automobiles have increased dramatically over the last decade in the United States. The most sophisticated applications have been functional in nature and involve the computer control of power trains. To demonstrate the role of control theory in current and future systems, the design of idle speed and electronic transmission control systems with (modern) control techniques is presented. The paper concludes with a review of the structure of current automobile control systems, and a discussion of possible future system structures and the role of control theory in the development of such systems.
Ethical Issues in Human Prion Diseases from a Major Referral Center (P02.007)

OBJECTIVE: Identify and discuss the ethical issues relevant to human prion diseases including the resulting consequences for individuals, their families, and society. BACKGROUND: Human prion diseases are currently untreatable, rapidly progressive, fatal neurodegenerative conditions that are unique in medicine in that they occur three in sporadic, genetic, and acquired forms. As a major clinical research center for prion diseases, and having run the first U.S. CJD treatment trial, we have seen more than 500 cases of rapidly progressive dementias, including many prion diseases, in the past 10 years and have dealt with several challenging ethical issues. DESIGN/METHODS: Literature, clinical database, and record review with case presentations. RESULTS: Some ethical issues faced include: •Conducting randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial in fatal disease •Delay of appropriate medical intervention for fear of prion contamination of limited medical equipment required for other patients •Establishing policy on managing and reducing risk of potential transmission with families not wishing to receive genetic results. •Difficulty in obtaining autopsies due to fear from the medical profession •Clinical and radiological misdiagnoses and consequences for patients, families and medical system. •Managing release of genetic information, particularly when all family members not in agreement. •Managing release of information with potential iatrogenic exposure when transmission risks are unclear and carry possibly severe psychological consequences. •Psychological consequences of research into identifying early disease biomarkers, particularly among genetic prion disease subjects, when no treatment yet available. •When or whether to help families “let go” and avoid life-prolonging measures in a uniformly fatal disease. •Questions concerning quality of life and prolonging survival in patients with advanced disease. CONCLUSIONS: Many of the harmful implications of human prion diseases for individual, family, and society might be mitigated if potential ethical complications are anticipated and carefully considered. These considerations are especially salient when conducting research in uniformly fatal and particularly genetic diseases. Disclosure: Dr. Bechtel has nothing to disclose. Dr. Boissier has nothing to disclose. Dr. Fong has nothing to disclose. Dr. Geschwind has received personal compensation for activities with Gerson Lehrman Group, Clinical Advisors and MedaCorp, and Eisai, Inc.
New Techniques in Radiation Oncology

The role of radiotherapy in the management of breast cancer has evolved in parallel with continued refinement of surgical and systemic therapies. Greater experience with breast-conserving surgery and axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy has necessitated further development of clear guidelines for regional nodal irradiation in the treatment of early-stage breast cancer, particularly in the setting of limited axillary involvement. As surgical management shifts to a more targeted approach, adjuvant radiation therapy becomes ever more important in maximizing disease control while minimizing morbidity. Similarly, in this era of increasingly effective systemic therapy, clarification of the most appropriate indications and optimal target regions remains warranted. In this chapter, we will discuss the radiotherapeutic management of the regional nodes with regard to the extent of axillary involvement, surgical management of the breast, nodal regions of interest, and neoadjuvant systemic therapy.
A MIG-15/JNK-1 MAP kinase cascade opposes RPM-1 signaling in synapse formation and learning

The Pam/Highwire/RPM-1 (PHR) proteins are conserved intracellular signaling hubs that regulate synapse formation and axon termination. The C. elegans PHR protein, called RPM-1, acts as a ubiquitin ligase to inhibit the DLK-1 and MLK-1 MAP kinase pathways. We have identified several kinases that are likely to form a new MAP kinase pathway that suppresses synapse formation defects, but not axon termination defects, in the mechanosensory neurons of rpm-1 mutants. This pathway includes: MIG-15 (MAP4K), NSY-1 (MAP3K), JKK-1 (MAP2K) and JNK-1 (MAPK). Transgenic overexpression of kinases in the MIG-15/JNK-1 pathway is sufficient to impair synapse formation in wild-type animals. The MIG-15/JNK-1 pathway functions cell autonomously in the mechanosensory neurons, and these kinases localize to presynaptic terminals providing further evidence of a role in synapse development. Loss of MIG-15/JNK-1 signaling also suppresses defects in habituation to repeated mechanical stimuli in rpm-1 mutants, a behavioral deficit that is likely to arise from impaired glutamatergic synapse formation. Interestingly, habituation results are consistent with the MIG-15/JNK-1 pathway functioning as a parallel opposing pathway to RPM-1. These findings indicate the MIG-15/JNK-1 pathway can restrict both glutamatergic synapse formation and short-term learning.
Botanicals as immunological adjuvants

1890 Background: Saponins and beta glucans are widely distributed in the plant kingdom and when injected as purified extracts mixed with antigen, are two of the most potent immunological adjuvants. Many widely consumed botanicals are advertised as immune enhancers, but clear evidence is lacking. Globo H is a cell surface hexasaccharide expressed on many epithelial cancers. When conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and mixed with an immunological adjuvant, the magnitude of the antibody responses against globo H and KLH depend largely on the potency of the adjuvant. We previously described the adjuvant activity of three botanicals (AACR Proceedings 2006: 47: 5559) and now report results with four additional botanicals. Methods: Using the globo H-KLH conjugate, groups of 5 mice were immunized subcutaneously (SC) or orally by gavage 3 times at 1 week intervals. Antibody responses were measured 1 and 2 weeks after the 3rd immunization. Botanicals were mixed with the conjugate either alone or with a sub-optimal dose of the semisynthetic saponin GPI-0100. The following seven botanicals were tested: (1) H-48 (Honso USA Co.), (2) Coriolus vesicolor raw water extract, purified polysaccharide-K (PSK) or purified polysaccharide-peptide (PSP) (Institute of Chinese Medicine (ICM)), (3) Maitake MD fraction (Yukiguni Maitake Co Ltd. and Tradeworks Group), (4) Echinacea lipophilic, neutral or acidic extracts (Gaia Herbs), (5) Astragalus water, 50% or 95% ethanol extracts (ICM), (6) Tumeric supercritical or hydro-ethanolic extracts ( New Chapter) or 60% ethanol extract (ICM) and (7) yeast s glucan (Biotec Pharmacon). Mixed saponins (Sigma) and semi-synthetic saponin GPI-0100 (Advanced BioTherapies Inc.) were also used as positive controls. Botanicals were tested over a dose range between 50 and 500 mcg in SC vaccines and 1-2 mg in oral vaccines. Sera were analyzed by ELISA against synthetic globo H ceramide and KLH. Results: 10 separate experiments were performed. Adjuvant activity was clearest in the anti-KLH responses. Representative median serologic titers against KLH after SC vaccinations are: Conjugate alone 1/800, PSK 1/51,200*. Astragalus water extract 1/800, Astragalus 50% EtOH extract 1/3200, Astragalus 95% EtOH extract 1/25,600*, Yeast β-glucan 1/819,200* and GPI-0100 (suboptimal dose) 1/409,600* (*P Conclusions: Among a series of botanical extracts used as adjuvantin vaccines containing globo H-KLH conjugates, significant adjuvant activity was observed after SC vaccination with PSK, astragalus (both 50% and 95% ethanol extracts), yeast β-glucan, and the semi-synthetic saponin GPI-0100. When administered orally, only the saponin mix and β-glucan significantly raised the serologic titer. PSK and astragalus are being further fractionated to identify the most active components. Support by Botanical Research Center Grant P50 AT002779 from the NIH.
Always together or alone first? Effects of type of collaborative translation on Spanish L2 development

Rooted in socio-constructivism, the present article investigates the effects of type of collaborative translation on Spanish L2 development, triangulating data from task performance, learning outco...
Bilateral renal cryodenervation decreases arterial pressure and improves insulin sensitivity in fructose-fed Sprague-Dawley rats.

Consumption of food high in fructose is prevalent in modern diets. One week of moderately high fructose intake combined with high salt diet has been shown to increase blood pressure and failed to s...
Bioactive Properties of Chitin/Chitosan—Calcium Phosphate Composite Materials

Calcium phosphate coating over phosphorylated derivatives of chitin/chitosan material was produced by a process based on phosphorylation, Ca(OH)2 treatment and SBF (simulated body fluid solution) immersion. Chitin/chitosan phosphorylated using urea and H3PO4 and then soaked in saturated Ca(OH)2 solution at ambient temperature, which lead to the formation of thin coatings formed by partial hydrolysis of the PO4 functionalities, were found to stimulate the growth of a calcium phosphate coating on their surfaces after soaking in 1.5 × SBF solution for as little as one day. The Ca(OH)2 treatment facilitates the formation of a calcium phosphate precursor over the phosphorylated chitin/chitosan, which in turn encourages the growth of a calcium deficient apatite coating over the surface upon immersion in SBF solution. The bio-compatibility of calcium phosphate compound—chitin/chitosan composite materials was evaluated by cell culture test using L-929 cells. The initial anchoring ratio and the adhesive strength of L-929 cells for composites was higher than that for the polystyrene disk (LUX, control). The results of in-vitro evaluation suggested that the calcium phosphate—chitin/chitosan composite materials were suitable for cell carrier materials.
Dynamic Evolution of an Elastic Beam in Frictional Contact with an Obstacle

Problems involving contact and friction phenomena have received a great deal of attention in recent years and by now there is a considerable body of engineering literature devoted to this subject. In contrast, there are relatively few general mathematical results available in this area, due to the substantial difficulties encountered in establishing existence results for initial-boundary value problems that model these phenomena. Moreover, in both cases, most of the existing literature deals with static situations, or, occasionally, with a sequence of static problems, which arise from the time discretization of an evolution problem. Modeling and mathematical analysis of such problems can be found in Duvaut and Lions [DL], Moreau et al. [MPS], Kikuchi and Oden [KO], and Telega [Tel], and the references therein (see also Curnier [Cu]). There are, however, some recent results on quasistatic and dynamic behavior in Andersson [An], Telega [Te2], Klarbring et al. [KMS2] and Oden and Martins [OM].
RF Bandaid: A Fully-Analog and Passive Wireless Interface for Wearable Sensors

This paper presents a passive wireless RF sensor platform (RFSP), with only analog components, that harvests energy from an RF source and reflects data as a direct subcarrier modulation, thus making it battery free. A fully-analog architecture results in an ultra-low power device (under 200 μW) with a low component count, reducing the physical footprint. We envision such a platform to enable medical sensing systems that fit on a small bandaid like flexible structure, require no-battery, or charging and are able to provide continuous physiological monitoring. To realize this vision, we have developed and optimized a novel RF architecture that 1) directly maps sensor output to frequency modulation and transmits it to a remote receiver processing unit (RPU). This direct frequency mapping allows all further digitization and computation to be moved to the RPU -- reducing power and size requirements on the RFSP; 2) harvests energy from the carrier signal transmitted by a simple continuous wave transmitter, thereby requiring no batteries or supercap; and 3) uses backscatter to communicate with the RPU enabling ultra-low power requirements. The total power consumption of our prototype device leveraging this architecture was measured to be between 35 μW and 160 μW. We demonstrate that the RFSP can harvest sufficient power, sense, and communicate continuously without necessity for energy storage at a distance of 4 m from a transmitter emitting a 915 MHz continuous wave at 26 dBm (0.39 W). Prior backscatter systems typically have power budgets of 1 mW and require energy storage (battery or supercap), RFSP's sub 200 μW power consumption provides a significant improvement and longer range for a given TX power. To demonstrate applicability to real-world health sensing and the flexibility to adapt to different sensors, this paper presents results from breathing, heart rate, temperature, and sound sensing applications.
Is Bioequivalence Established Based on the Reference‐Scaled Average Bioequivalence Approach Relevant to Chronic Administration of Phenytoin? Perspectives Based on Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling and Simulations

Phenytoin demonstrates time-dependent and nonlinear pharmacokinetics (PK) within the therapeutic range of 10 to 20 μg/mL. There are discussions on the relevance of bioequivalence (BE) demonstrated in a single-dose BE study in healthy subjects to exposure under chronic use conditions in patients, particularly given that phenytoin has a narrow therapeutic index. The objective of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the appropriateness of single-dose PK BE through simulations for the phenytoin extended-capsule products. A previously published population PK model was updated to account for the interoccasion variability using the dense PK data of the reference listed drug (Dilantin) from 5 single-dose, fully replicated BE studies (n = 124). BE studies with alternative designs were simulated using the developed PK model and subsequently analyzed accordingly: Scenario 1, multiple-dose, 2-period, crossover BE studies with an average BE approach; Scenario 2, single-dose, 4-period, fully replicated BE studies with a reference-scaled average BE approach as recommended in the product-specific guidance. In both scenarios, hypothetical phenytoin capsules with different formulation-related PK parameters, such as relative bioavailability and absorption rates, were included in the simulations. The results showed that the both scenarios provided the same results with respect to BE conclusions.
Effect of the antitumor drug vinblastine on nuclear βII-tubulin in cultured rat kidney mesangial cells

Tubulin, the main component of microtubules, is a major target for antitumor drugs such as vinblastine. We have recently discovered that the βII isotype of tubulin is present in the nuclei of cultured rat kidney mesangial cells, smooth-muscle-like cells present in the renal glomerular mesangium (Walss C, Kreisberg JI, Luduena RF: Cell Motil Cytoskeleton 42: 274–284, 1999). Here, we have investigated the effect of vinblastine on nuclear βII-tubulin in these cells. We have found that, at concentrations of 15 nM and higher, vinblastine caused a reversible loss of βII-tubulin from the nucleus. Our results raise the possibility that nuclear βII-tubulin constitutes a population of tubulin that could be a novel target for antitumor drugs such as vinblastine.
AMR Normalization for Fairer Evaluation.

Meaning Representation (AMR; Banarescu et al., 2013) encodes the meaning of sentences as a directed graph and Smatch (Cai and Knight, 2013) is the primary metric for evaluating AMR graphs. Smatch, however, is unaware of some meaning-equivalent variations in graph structure allowed by the AMR Specification and gives different scores for AMRs exhibiting these variations. In this paper I propose four normalization methods for helping to ensure that conceptually equivalent AMRs are evaluated as equivalent. Equivalent AMRs with and without normalization can look quite different---comparing a gold corpus to itself with relation reification alone yields a difference of 25 Smatch points, suggesting that the outputs of two systems may not be directly comparable without normalization. The algorithms described in this paper are implemented on top of an existing open-source Python toolkit for AMR and will be released under the same license.
Brief report: Does “healthy” family functioning look different for families who have a child with autism?

Abstract Background For families of typically developing children, extremes of family cohesion (enmeshed and disengaged) and flexibility (rigid and chaotic) are associated with negative outcomes ( Olson, 2011 ). Some work suggests that this may not be true for families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; Altiere & Von Kluge, 2009 ). Specifically, regimented daily routines (increased rigidity) and highly involved caregivers (increased enmeshment) might theoretically be associated with positive outcomes. Objectives This study examined whether families who have a child with ASD report different family dynamics than families with typically developing children, and if these dynamics are equally predictive of outcomes for both groups. Method Regression-based interaction analyses using data from an online survey (n = 235) were used to examine how diagnostic group (typically-developing child or child with ASD) affected the relationships between elements of family functioning and parent outcomes of happiness, depression, and satisfaction with family life. Results Higher parent-reported enmeshment was associated with decreased parent-reported happiness in typical families only; these variables were unrelated in families with a child with ASD. In addition, the relationship between disengagement and parent happiness was marginally weaker in the ASD group. Other scales (rigid and chaotic) exhibited similar relationships with family outcomes across both diagnostic groups. Conclusion In alignment with previous findings ( Altiere & Von Kluge, 2009 ), elevated levels of enmeshment were not predictive of poorer outcomes in families of children with ASD. There is a need to critically consider whether behaviors traditionally thought of as “enmeshed” may represent different, more adaptive support strategies for families who have a child with ASD.
Critical Perspective on Gamification in Education

Overall, this chapter offers a critical perspective on gamification in education and defines gamification as purposeful experiences that utilize game design and game elements. First it focuses on the basics of learning. Second it explores the advantages and disadvantages of technology in relation to teaching and learning, as many technologies share similar traits. Third it examines how technology has influenced education (i.e., reform) in the past, and offers insight on the impact games may have on education. Fourth it reviews gaming research and what it means to student learning with respect to both current and past research trends. Last, it contends that using a scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) framework can help create a more evidence based approach to the use of gamification in education.
Linking genomic signatures of selection to expression variation and direct evidence of local adaptation

Understanding how genomic and expression variation is linked to adaptation of plants to local environments is fundamental to the fields of evolutionary biology and species conservation. Using locally adapted Arabidopsis thaliana Italy and Sweden populations, we examine how variation in gene expression under control and cold acclimation conditions, is linked to allele frequency differentiation (AFD); linkage disequilibrium (LD); selective constraint at nonsynonymous sites; and genetic-tradeoff quantitative trait loci (GT-QTL). Our results indicate that contrary to genes showing a main effect in environment (E), expression genotype by environment interactions (GxE) show significantly higher AFD along cis-regulatory and nonsynonymous sites than the neutral expectation; and interestingly, highly differentiated GxE genes show higher expression and inter-species selective constraint than the rest of the genes. When examining the association between genomic signatures of selection along GxE/E genes and GT-QTL, we find that GxE genes showing a high AFD and LD, display a significant and much higher enrichment along GT-QTL than the genome-wide/E set of genes. Nonetheless, E genes show a higher enrichment than the genome-wide control. In summary, our results suggest, that these highly expressed and selectively constrained GxE genes, may have been part of a cold-responsive regulon of E genes that experienced recent selection when migrating to new environments. Candidate GxE genes underlying GT-QTL reveal interesting biological processes that may underlie local adaptation to temperature, including flowering time, light-dependent cold acclimation, freezing tolerance, and response to hypoxia. Finally, we find no evidence linking lower expression of the CBF-dependent freezing tolerance pathway to genetic-tradeoffs and adaptation to warmer climates.
Fusobacteria modulate oral carcinogenesis and promote cancer progression

Background: Evidence suggest periodontal bacterial infection can contribute to oral cancer initiation and progression. Aim: To investigate the effects of periodontal bacteria on oral cancer cell behavior using a cell-based system and a mouse carcinogenesis model. Methods: Oral cancer cell lines were polyinfected with four periodontal bacteria. Cytokine levels and relative changes in oncogene mRNA expression were determined post-infection. Oral tumours in mice induced by 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) were compared with and without administrating periodontal bacteria. Results: Polyinfected oral cancer cells had upregulated MMP1, MMP9, and IL-8. The expression of cell survival markers MYC, JAK1, and STAT3 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers ZEB1 and TGF-β were also significantly elevated. Monoinfections showed F. nucleatum alone had comparable or greater effects than the four bacteria together. Fusobacterial culture supernatant, primarily LPS, was sufficient to induce IL-8 secretion, demonstrating that direct contact of live Fusobacteria with cancer cells might not be required to exert changes in cancer cell behaviour. In the 4NQO-induced oral tumour model, mice infected with bacteria developed significantly larger and more numerous lesions compared to those not infected. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that Fusobacteria could potentially enhance cancer cell invasiveness, survival, and EMT when presented in the oral tumour microenvironment. Abbreviations: 4NQO, 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide; ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; EMT, epithelial-mesenchymal transition; IL-8, interleukin-8; JAK1, Janus kinase 1; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; OSCCs, oral squamous cell carcinomas; PK, proteinase K; PMB, Polymyxin B; qRT-PCR, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction; STAT3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3; TGF-β, transforming growth factor beta; ZEB1, zinc finger E-Box binding homeobox 1.
Coherence between feelings and heart rate: Links to early adversity and responses to stress

Past research suggests that higher coherence between feelings and physiology under stress may confer regulatory advantages. Research and theory also suggest that higher resting vagal tone (rVT) may promote more adaptive responses to stress. The present study examines the roles of response system coherence (RSC; defined as the within-individual covariation between feelings and heart rate over time) and rVT in mediating the links between childhood adversity and later-life responses to acute stressors. Using data from 279 adults from the Second Generation Study of the Harvard Study of Adult Development who completed stressful public speaking and mental arithmetic tasks, we find that individuals who report more childhood adversity have lower RSC, but not lower rVT. We further find that lower RSC mediates the association between adversity and slower cardiovascular recovery. Higher rVT in the present study is linked to less intense cardiovascular reactivity to stress, but not to quicker recovery or to the subjective experience of negative affect after the stressful tasks. Additional analyses indicate links between RSC and mindfulness and replicate previous findings connecting RSC to emotion regulation and well-being outcomes. Taken together, these findings are consistent with the idea that uncoupling between physiological and emotional streams of affective experiences may be one of the mechanisms connecting early adversity to later-life affective responses. These findings also provide evidence that RSC and rVT are associated with distinct aspects of self-regulation under stress.
Maintaining Sense of Purpose Following Health Adversity in Older Adulthood: A Propensity Score Matching Examination.

Objectives Research has demonstrated sense of purpose predicts better health in older adulthood. However, work is limited with respect to understanding how experiencing a health event or illness diagnosis impacts older adults' sense of purpose. Method The current study employed a propensity score matching approach to compare older adults who did or did not experience an adverse health event on changes in sense of purpose across three waves of the Health and Retirement Study. Sense of purpose was assessed at each wave, and changes were compared between people who did versus did not experience one of seven diagnoses and health events. Results When propensity score matching was employed, no differences in trajectories of change for sense of purpose were found with respect to all seven events. Individual differences in trajectories though were evidenced across groups. Discussion The current findings suggest that even when health events impact older adults' physical functioning or place limitations on their activity, it may hold little ramifications for their sense of purpose. Future research should consider this potential for resilience, focusing on how adults compensate for losses.
Centering a pedagogy of care in the pandemic

This essay is a reflexive account of my experience of teaching a social justice course during the pandemic. Specifically, I reflect on how centering a pedagogy of care within the course provided a ...
Isolation of intact extracellular vesicles from cryopreserved samples

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as promising candidates in biomarker discovery and diagnostics. Protected by the lipid bilayer, the molecular content of EVs in diverse biofluids are protected from RNases and proteases in the surrounding environment that may rapidly degrade targets of interests. Nonetheless, cryopreservation of EV-containing samples to -80°C may expose the lipid bilayer to physical and biological stressors which may result in cryoinjury and contribute to changes in EV yield, function, or molecular cargo. In the present work, we systematically evaluate the effect of cryopreservation at -80°C for a relatively short duration of storage (up to 12 days) on plasma- and media-derived EV particle count and/or RNA yield/quality, as compared to paired fresh controls. On average, we found that the plasma-derived EV concentration of stored samples decreased to 23% of fresh samples. Further, this significant decrease in EV particle count was matched with a corresponding significant decrease in RNA yield whereby plasma-derived stored samples contained only 47-52% of the total RNA from fresh samples, depending on the extraction method used. Similarly, media-derived EVs showed a statistically significant decrease in RNA yield whereby stored samples were 58% of the total RNA from fresh samples. In contrast, we did not obtain clear evidence of decreased RNA quality through analysis of RNA traces. These results suggest that samples stored for up to 12 days can indeed produce high-quality RNA; however, we note that when directly comparing fresh versus cryopreserved samples without cryoprotective agents there are significant losses in total RNA. Finally, we demonstrate that the addition of the commonly used cryoprotectant agent, DMSO, alongside greater control of the rate of cooling/warming, can rescue EVs from damaging ice formation and improve RNA yield.