cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Employing a Multifaceted Approach Aimed at Increasing Influenza Vaccination Rates

Improving influenza vaccination rates continues to be a challenge faced by healthcare providers every flu season. A great amount of time and resources are devoted each year towards advertisement and awareness campaigns aimed at improving public participation. However, despite continued efforts by providers to improve influenza immunization rates in their respective communities, it was reported by the CDC that the influenza immunization rate for all people’s ≥6 months of age during the 2013-2014 flu season was 46.2%. The results reported were obtained via an analysis of state and national telephone survey data in the United States that captured an unweighted sample size of 481,432 individuals through the use of the NIS-Flu and BRFSS telephone survey systems [1]. The 2013-2014 influenza immunization rate falls far short of influenza vaccination goals set by Healthy People 2020. This goal aims to achieve an 80% influenza vaccination rate among individuals 6 months to 64 years old including all pregnant women and a 90% rate among all high risk or institutionalized adults, adults >64 years, and healthcare personnel [2]. Pharmacists have the opportunity as one of the most trusted and accessible healthcare professionals to positively impact vaccination rates throughout their community.
Effectiveness of development-radio programming among poor farmers: a case study.

The number of radio receivers has increased 118% worldwide since 1966 and the penetration in developing countries is substantial and growing. Radio is much more effective then printed media with illiterate and neo- literate people in the 3rd world. A recent research project measured the effectiveness of a radio messages broadcast as part of an agricultural extension project. The radio component of an agricultural project in India organized under the training and visit system of the World Bank ongoing to disseminate information on improved seeds fertilizers pesticides and better cultivation methods to selected farmers was analyzed. The information was transferred in 2 steps workshops and scheduled visits. The agricultural radio program broadcast the information every morning and was taped for the study. The data analysis for the study was limited to rice crop knowledge and technical terms associated with the extension materials. Most of the farmers were 45 years old or younger. 90% had less than 6 years of schooling. Most were poor and 94% owned less than 6 hectors of land. 96% of those interviewed were males and over 50% listened to the radio broadcast everyday. The results indicate very little convergence between the extension source and the farmers. In order to communicate effectively the proper subjects must be selected and presented in simple colloquial and familiar words. None of the material was tested nor were the recipients involved in the process of message preparation. The study suggests that no matter what medium is used message content and presentation have an important effect on the distribution of the information and the comprehension and the behavior of the recipient. To be most effective it is important to study not only the content of the message but the code structure and treatment and to determine the extend of adequate comprehension of those with low literacy.
Program synthesis and other planners

In the previous Chapters we have developed the principles necessary to generate a robot program automatically. We can now model the world and adequately specify tasks to the robot. We have also developed some crucial planning strategies such as those for obstacle avoidance, trajectory planning, grasp planning, etc. In this Chapter, we will discuss some other planning issues that are important for automatic robot planning. These include the precedence generator and the approach directions generator. We will then discuss fine motion planning and finally program synthesis.
The Israeli XBRL Adoption Experience

eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) is a language for the electronic communication of business and financial data which is revolutionizing business reporting around the world. It is a tool to bridge potential language barriers and unify financial reporting. This has appeal to foreign investors, among others, who can rely on information in XBRL-tagged financial reports to make investment decisions without having to translate financial statements from local language. In 2008, Israel required most public companies to adopt International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for financial reporting and to use XBRL-tagged reporting format, as part of an aggressive effort to make its capital markets more transparent and attractive for foreign investors. In this paper, we study all Israeli public companies and analyze the accuracy and reliability of their XBRL-tagged financial statements that are available on MAGNA, the Israel Securities Authority's electronic system. We describe the process by which the XBRL-based data were collected and reported. We document, categorize, and analyze deficiencies in the XBRL-tagged filings, and inconsistencies between them and the Hebrew-based annual reports. We observe pervasive data entry errors resulting in inaccurate XBRL-generated financial reports, which went undetected for over one year. Further, first year XBRL reporting (in conjunction with IFRS adoption) did not increase foreign investment in the Israeli capital markets. This analysis allows us to better understand the benefits and challenges of the adoption of XBRL.
Admittance Selection Conditions for Frictionless Force-Guided Assembly of Polyhedral Parts in Two Single-Point Principal Contacts

The admittance of a manipulator can be used to improve robotic assembly. If properly selected, the admittance will regulate a contact force and use it to guide the parts to proper positioning. In previous work, procedures for selecting the appropriate admittance for single principal contact (PC) cases were identified. This paper extends this research for some of the two PC cases-those for which each contact occurs at a single point. The conditions obtained ensure that the motion that results from frictionless contact always instantaneously reduces part misalignment. We show that, for bounded misalignments, if an admittance satisfies the misalignment-reducing conditions at a finite number of contact configurations, then the admittance will also satisfy the conditions at all intermediate configurations.
A Framework for Learning to Work in Teams.

Abstract While businesses are looking for employees who can work effectively in teams, business schools are being criticized for not preparing students with the necessary team-related skills. This article proposes a framework for learning to work in teams by making use of motivation, attitudes toward group work, learning preferences, valuing others' styles, and educational activities. Results from this study indicate that students' attitudes toward group work and various learning tools were significantly different depending on their learning style type and confirm relationships between elements in the framework. Implications for the design of academic courses that prepare people to work in teams are discussed.
Effect of Resisted Knee Flexion on Knee Extension Torque

We tested the principle of “reversal of antagonists” by measuring the effect of resisted knee flexion on subsequent peak knee extension torque at velocities of 60°/sec and 120°/sec using an isokinetic dynamometer. We determined peak knee extension torques from torque curves produced during knee extension that was performed reciprocally with either passive or maximum voluntary resisted knee flexion. We used a crossover design so that all 18 healthy adult subjects performed knee extension reciprocally with both passive and resisted knee flexion. Paired means t tests revealed no statistically significant difference between the peak knee extension torques produced under the two knee flexion conditions either at 60°/sec or 120°/sec. We, therefore, concluded that resisted knee flexion does not augment peak knee extension torque under our conditions of testing. The concept of reversal of antagonists was not supported. Antagonistic muscle functioning, therefore, may be irrelevant to agonist isokinetic testing and training in neurologically healthy persons.
snp.plotter: an R-based SNP/haplotype association and linkage disequilibrium plotting package

Summary: snp.plotter is a newly developed R package which produces high-quality plots of results from genetic association studies. The main features of the package include options to display a linkage disequilibrium (LD) plot below the P-value plot using either the r2 or D' LD metric, to set the X-axis to equal spacing or to use the physical map of markers, and to specify plot labels, colors, symbols and LD heatmap color scheme. snp.plotter can plot single SNP and/or haplotype data and simultaneously plot multiple sets of results. R is a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics available for most platforms. The proposed package provides a simple way to convey both association and LD information in a single appealing graphic for genetic association studies. Availability: Downloadable R package and example datasets are available at http://cbdb.nimh.nih.gov/~kristin/snp.plotter.html and http://www.r-project.org Contact: nicodemusk@mail.nih.gov
A Crucial Role for Cellular Retinol-Binding Protein I in Retinoid Signaling

Retinol (the prototypic vitamin A) and its metabolites called retinoids play important physiologic roles in embryonal development, vision, maintenance of epithelial differentiation, immune functions, and reproduction (1). Many of these functions are mediated by retinol metabolites such as all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) (2). ATRA modulates gene expression by means of nuclear receptors that are members of the steroid hormone gene superfamily. These receptors, retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs), appear in at least three subtypes, designated , , and . The receptors function as ligand-activated heterodimeric DNA-binding transcription enhancing factors and regulate the transcription of various genes, which play important roles during development and in adult tissues. Abberant expression and function of specific retinoid receptors, primarily RAR , have been associated with cancer development and progression (3,4). However, recent studies have highlighted additional mechanisms for abrogation of retinoid signaling in carcinogenesis. These involve abnormalities located upstream of retinoic acid and its nuclear receptors. These defects interfere with retinol storage and its metabolism to retinoic acid and result in a localized retinoid deficiency. Interestingly, we have suggested that decreased levels of RAR may be, at least in part, caused by local vitamin A deficiency (5). Dietary retinol is stored in the liver in specialized cells and delivered to various target tissues via a retinol-binding protein
The Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27kip1 Is Required for Transplantation Tolerance Induced by Costimulatory Blockade

The cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p27kip1 is an important negative regulator of the cell cycle that sets a threshold for mitogenic signals in T lymphocytes, and is required for T cell anergy in vitro. To determine whether p27kip1 is required for tolerance in vivo, we performed cardiac allograft transplantation under conditions of combined CD28/CD40L costimulatory blockade. Although this treatment induced long-term allograft survival in wild-type recipients, costimulatory blockade was no longer sufficient to induce tolerance in mice lacking p27kip1. Rejected allografts from p27kip1−/− mice contained more CD4+ T lymphocytes and exhibited more tissue damage than allografts from tolerant, wild-type mice. Infiltrating p27kip1-deficient T cells, but not wild-type T cells, exhibited nuclear expression of cyclins E and A, indicating uncontrolled T cell cycle progression in the graft. The failure of tolerance in p27kip1−/− mice was also accompanied by markedly increased numbers of allospecific, IFN-γ-producing cells in the periphery, and occurred despite apparently normal regulatory T cell activity. These data demonstrate that the CDK inhibitor p27kip1 enforces the costimulatory requirement for the expansion and differentiation of alloimmune effector T lymphocytes in vivo, and point to CDKs as novel targets for immunosuppressive or tolerance-inducing therapies.
Extension of the E-plane scanning range in large microstrip arrays by substrate modification

The effect of the substrate structure modification on the E-plane scanning performance in large microstrip arrays is studied with the aid of a two-dimensional model. The goal is to alleviate scan blindness effects. The finite-element method of lines is used to solve the electromagnetic equations, thus demonstrating its applicability to open, periodic structures. >
Postpartum smoking abstinence and smoke-free environments.

The purpose of this exploratory study was to describe factors that contribute to successful postpartum smoking abstinence among women who quit smoking during pregnancy. Research questions addressed the primary motivators and lifestyle characteristics of women who do not return to postpartum smoking. Participants were recruited from a feasibility study (N = 16) based on their ability to remain smoke free for at least 6 months following delivery. Individual interviews were analyzed using content analysis strategies. Women’s narratives described the process of postpartum smoking abstinence. Four themes emerged: (a) child’s health as the primary motivator, (b) demanding a smoke-free home or environment, (c) smoking perception changes from one of primarily comfort to one of disgust, and (d) viewing abstinence as a lifelong change. Clinical implications include educating families about the effects of smoke-free environments on the health of their children while redirecting smoking habits with healthy behaviors.
Reproduction and sexual dimorphism of the West African fruit bat, Epomops buettikoferi, in Liberia

Summary Epomops buettikoferi is a savanna species of fruit bat that has entered the deforested zone in Liberia where it inhabits agricultural areas and secondary forest, but not rain forest. Contrary to the conclusions of Bergmans & Sowler (1992), the species is in no way vulnerable or endangered because of destruction of the Upper Guinea rain forest. Instead, as the remaining Upper Guinea rain forest is cut, it is predicted that numbers of E. buettikoferi will increase. Sexual dimorphism was observed in the pelvic girdle, which by palpation allowed reliable determination of sex (100% accurate) of individuals of any age. This was useful in the field for distinguishing immature males, which lack an obvious penis and epaulettes, from females. In central Liberia, female E. buettikoferi have a bimodal reproductive cycle, with two young borne annually about six months apart. The two births occur in February/March (end of dry/beginning of the wet season) and August/September (during heaviest rains in second half of the wet). Parturition is followed by oestrus, with immediate embryonic development and gestation spanning five to six months. Reproduction is timed so that both periods of lactation occur during the wet season. Resume Epomops buettikoferi est une espece de chauve-souris frugivore qui a penetre la region deforestee du Liberia ou elle habite dans les regions d'agriculture et de foret secondaire mais non de foret humide. Contrairement aux recommandations de Bergmans & Sowler (1992), cette espece n'est pas du tout vulnerable ni menacee par la destruction de la foret humide de la Haute Guinee. Au contraire, alors qu'on coupe le reste de foret humide en Haute Guinee, on prevoit que le nombre d' E buettikoferi va augmenter. On a observe un dimorphisme sexuel au niveau de la ceinture pelvienne dont la palpation a permis une determination liable du sexe (100% de certitude) pour les individus de toute âge. Ceci s'est revele utile sur le terrain pour distinguer des femelles les mâles immatures qui n'ont pas encore de penis visible ni d'epaulettes. Au centre du Liberia, les femelles &E. buettikoferi ont un cycle de reproduction bimodal, avec deux jeunes qui naissent chaque annee a six mois d'intervalle. Les deux naissances se passent en fevrier-mars (fin de saison seche-debut de saison des pluies) et en aout-mars (fin de saison seche-debut de saison des pluies) et en aout-septembre (pendant les plus fortes pluies de la seconde moitie de saison des pluies). La mise-bas est suivie de l'oestrus, avec developpement embryonnaire immediat et une duree de gestation qui va de cinq a six mois. La reproduction est programer de facon a ce que les periodes de lactation tombent pendant les saisons des pluies.
Construct validity of negative symptoms: An empirical and conceptual review

The construct validity of negative symptoms is reviewed, and findings on deficit negative symptoms are also incorporated. A valid negative symptom construct should: (a) have replicable relationships with observable phenomena and other constructs; (b) have good reliability, temporal stability, and homogeneity; and (c) predict prognosis and response to treatment, possess convergent and discriminant validity, and be useful to clinicians. Although a number of well-replicated findings provide support for the validity of the construct, modification is warranted. Specifically, the data suggest that there is a highly correlated set of negative symptoms, which includes flat affect, alogia, anhedonia, and avolition. Primary and enduring symptoms from this set have good predictive and discriminant validity and can be studied in the context of the deficit syndrome, as well as with current negative symptom rating scales. Future studies should examine whether deficit negative symptoms are better conceptualized as a dimension or a category, elucidate the relationship between deficit symptoms and additional clinical and behavioral variables (e.g., response to newer neuroleptic medications and diminished emotional responding), and explore differences between the pattern of correlates of deficit symptoms and those of the positive and thought disorder symptoms.
Evaluation of the response modification coefficient and collapse potential of special concentrically braced frames

Special concentrically braced frames (SCBFs) are commonly used for seismic design of buildings. Their large elastic stiffness and strength efficiently sustains the seismic demands during smaller, more frequent earthquakes. During large, infrequent earthquakes, SCBFs exhibit highly nonlinear behavior due to brace buckling and yielding and the inelastic behavior induced by secondary deformation of the framing system. These response modes reduce the system demands relative to an elastic system without supplemental damping using a responsemodification coefficient, commonly termed the R factor. More recently, procedures put forth in FEMAP695 have been made to quantify the R factor through a formalized procedure that accounts for collapse potential. The primary objective of the research in this paper was to evaluate the approach for SCBFs. An improved model for SCBFs that permits simulation of brace fracture was used to conduct response history analyses. A series of three-story, nine-story and 20-story SCBFs were designed and evaluated. Initially, the FEMAP695method was conducted to estimate collapse and the corresponding R factor. An alternate procedure for scaling the multiple acceleration records to the seismic design hazard was also evaluated. The results show significant variation between the two methods. Of the three variations of buildings studied, the largest vulnerability was identified for the three-story building. To achieve a consistent margin of safety against collapse, a significantly lower R factor is required for the low-rise SCBFs (three-story), whereas the mid-rise and high-rise SCBFs (nine-story and 20-story) may continue to use the current value of 6, as provided in ASCE-07. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Received 14 February 2012; Revised 30 October 2012; Accepted 15 January 2013
Improvement of multiple tissue contrast in magnetic resonance imaging by image combination

A method for combining multiple magnetic resonance images of the same anatomic slice to produce a single image which incorporates the favorable contrast features of each of the origin images is described. The target-point method is a general method which includes linear combination as a subset and is designed to deal with the clinical need to maximize the contrast-to-noise ratio between several pairs of tissues simultaneously. In a set of brain images the target-point method produces images with higher mutual contrast than the first principal component image, and in a simulation a target-point combination of several standard images produces a higher minimum contrast than an optimal acquisition using the same imaging time. >
Robust RGB-D Odometry Using Point and Line Features

Lighting variation and uneven feature distribution are main challenges for indoor RGB-D visual odometry where color information is often combined with depth information. To meet the challenges, we fuse point and line features to form a robust odometry algorithm. Line features are abundant indoors and less sensitive to lighting change than points. We extract 3D points and lines from RGB-D data, analyze their measurement uncertainties, and compute camera motion using maximum likelihood estimation. We prove that fusing points and lines produces smaller motion estimate uncertainty than using either feature type alone. In experiments we compare our method with state-of-the-art methods including a keypoint-based approach and a dense visual odometry algorithm. Our method outperforms the counterparts under both constant and varying lighting conditions. Specifically, our method achieves an average translational error that is 34.9% smaller than the counterparts, when tested using public datasets.
Altered White Matter Microstructure in Adolescents and Adults with Bulimia Nervosa

Previous data suggest structural and functional deficits in frontal control circuits in adolescents and adults with bulimia nervosa (BN), but less is known about the microstructure of white matter in these circuits early in the course of the disorder. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data were acquired from 28 female adolescents and adults with BN and 28 age- and BMI-matched healthy female participants. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) was used to detect group differences in white matter microstructure and explore the differential effects of age on white matter microstructure across groups. Significant reductions in fractional anisotropy (FA) were detected in the BN compared with healthy control group in multiple tracts including forceps minor and major, superior longitudinal, inferior fronto-occipital, and uncinate fasciculi, anterior thalamic radiation, cingulum, and corticospinal tract. FA reductions in forceps and frontotemporal tracts correlated inversely with symptom severity and Stroop interference in the BN group. These findings suggest that white matter microstructure is abnormal in BN in tracts extending through frontal and temporoparietal cortices, especially in those with the most severe symptoms. Age-related differences in both FA and RD in these tracts in BN compared with healthy individuals may represent an abnormal trajectory of white matter development that contributes to the persistence of functional impairments in self-regulation in BN.
Race and Bioethics: Bioethical Engagement With a Four-Letter Subject.

“Race” is a four-letter word. Like other four-letter words, and like its own six-letter sibling, “racism,” it is seldom uttered in polite society—or in bioethical discourse. Bioethicists prefer to ...
Automatic Diagnosis via Sensors Modeled by Dynamic Fault Trees

This paper presents a new automated diagnosis methodology which attempts to bridge the gap between reliability at the design phase and diagnosis at the usage phase. The methodology takes advantage of dynamic fault tree qualitative and quantitative data to develop a diagnostic importance measure. The methodology produces a diagnostic decision tree based on the fault tree and on the diagnostic importance measure. To enhance the diagnosis process the presented methodology incorporates evidence from sensors to improve diagnosis.
Marketing Residential Treatment Programs for Eating Disorders: A Call for Transparency

Residential behavioral treatment is a growing sector of the health care industry and is used by a large proportion of adolescent and adult patients with eating disorders. These programs and the organizations that own them have developed extensive marketing strategies that target clinicians and include promotional gifts, meals, travel reimbursement, and continuing education credit. Legislation and policy changes have limited these types of activities when conducted by the pharmaceutical industry, and awareness of conflicts of interest associated with clinician-targeted advertising of drugs and devices has increased. However, similar practices by the behavioral health care industry have evolved without oversight. The authors urge clinicians to consider how marketing strategies by treatment facilities may influence their referral behaviors and call for improved transparency regarding gifts and payments from treatment facilities.
A civilian case of fatal meningococcemia due to Neisseria meningitidis, group Y.

The present report is that of a civilian episode of fatal , fulminant group Y meningococcemia in a previously healthy adolescent, who denied prior vaccination against group C meningococcus. The patient suffered abrupt onset of purpura, hypotension and cardiopulmonary arrest. A detailed clinical and pathologic report is included.
Weak Parallelogram Laws for Banach Spaces

It has been shown previously that the L p (μ) spaces for 1 < p ≤ 2 satisfy a weak parallelogram law, and the same methods can be used to show that the L p (μ) spaces for 2 ≤ p <∞ satisfy a related weak parallelogram law. This paper obtains several equivalent characterizations of Banach spaces which satisfy one of these two weak parallelogram laws. One such characterization involves the conditions on the moduli of convexity and smoothness analyzed by Lindenstrauss.
Sequential light programs shape kale ( Brassica napus ) sprout appearance and alter metabolic and nutrient content

Different light wavelengths have specific effects on plant growth and development. Narrow-bandwidth light-emitting diode (LED) lighting may be used to directionally manipulate size, color and metabolites in high-value fruits and vegetables. In this report, Red Russian kale (Brassica napus) seedlings were grown under specific light conditions and analyzed for photomorphogenic responses, pigment accumulation and nutraceutical content. The results showed that this genotype responds predictably to darkness, blue and red light, with suppression of hypocotyl elongation, development of pigments and changes in specific metabolites. However, these seedlings were relatively hypersensitive to far-red light, leading to uncharacteristically short hypocotyls and high pigment accumulation, even after growth under very low fluence rates (<1 μmol m−2 s−1). General antioxidant levels and aliphatic glucosinolates are elevated by far-red light treatments. Sequential treatments of darkness, blue light, red light and far-red light were applied throughout sprout development to alter final product quality. These results indicate that sequential treatment with narrow-bandwidth light may be used to affect key economically important traits in high-value crops.
Remote test method based on sniffing idle state for smart substation breaker

Combined with the communication mechanism of GOOSE message,a method based on sniffing idle state is proposed for the remote test of smart substation breaker,based on which,a model system is proposed.By monitoring the interactive messages between the intelligent terminal and the measuring control device and by sending the remote control signal during the communication idle state,the system completes the open,close or open-close-open test of breaker. Because the proposed method applies the standby port of GOOSE switch,the existing network structure and the normal operation of other IEDs(Intelligent Electronic Devices)are not affected,which effectively solves the technical problem of the breaker switching test during the site arrangement of IEDs.
The Advent of Realism: July–December 1940

War came home to Britain after the fall of France. MOI Parliamentary Secretary Harold Nicolson was narrowly missed by a bomb which hit Senate House on a night when he slept in his office.1 Nevertheless he was one of many in the Ministry and in the country at large who were relieved and even exhilarated that the long waiting and uncertainties of the Phoney War were ended. The country was truly engaged after June 1940, and however bleak the immediate prospects, the propagandists were more determined than ever to win the war of words in neutral Europe. They would now preach resistance with greater feeling - though against greater odds - than in the past, insist even more strongly that there was hope for a future free of German domination, and assure neutrals that Britain remained viable as a nation at war.
Beyond MITF: Multiple transcription factors directly regulate the cellular phenotype in melanocytes and melanoma

MITF governs multiple steps in the development of melanocytes, including specification from neural crest, growth, survival, and terminal differentiation. In addition, the level of MITF activity determines the phenotype adopted by melanoma cells, whether invasive, proliferative, or differentiated. However, MITF does not act alone. Here, we review literature on the transcription factors that co-regulate MITF-dependent genes. ChIP-seq studies have indicated that the transcription factors SOX10, YY1, and TFAP2A co-occupy subsets of regulatory elements bound by MITF in melanocytes. Analyses at single loci also support roles for LEF1, RB1, IRF4, and PAX3 acting in combination with MITF, while sequence motif analyses suggest that additional transcription factors colocalize with MITF at many melanocyte-specific regulatory elements. However, the precise biochemical functions of each of these MITF collaborators and their contributions to gene expression remain to be elucidated. Analogous to the transcriptional networks in morphogen-patterned tissues during embryogenesis, we anticipate that the level of MITF activity is controlled not only by the concentration of activated MITF, but also by additional transcription factors that either quantitatively or qualitatively influence the expression of MITF-target genes.
Joint Moment-Angle Properties of the Hip Extensors in Subjects With and Without Patellofemoral Pain.

Strength deficits of hip extension in individuals with patellofemoral syndrome are commonly reported in literature. No literature to date has examined these deficits with variable positions of the knee and hip; altering knee angle alters the length and therefore potentially the force produced by the biarticular muscles. Beyond strength, neuromuscular control can also be assessed through the analysis of isometric joint moment steadiness. Subjects consisted of a group of individuals with patellofemoral syndrome (n = 9), and a group of age- and size-matched controls with no symptoms (n = 9). Maximum isometric joint moments for hip extension were measured at 4 points within the joint’s range of motion, at 2 different knee positions (0° and 90°) for each group. The joint moment signals were analyzed by computing signal Coefficient of Variation (CV). The results indicate that no significant differences were found between the groups of subjects for the hip extension moments when the knee was extended. However, t...
PHASE I TRIAL OF IMMUNOMODULATORY ACTIVITIES OF HUMAN LEUKOCYTE INTERFERON IN ADVANCED CANCER PATIENTS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the phase I trial of immunomodulatory activities of human leukocyte interferon in advanced cancer patients. In a study described in the chapter, twenty-two patients with advanced malignancy were treated in a phase I trial of (Meloy) human leukocyte interferon (IFN-α). 40 ml of venous blood were collected in heparinized vacutainers, washed, diluted, and layered on Ficoll–Hypaque gradients to obtain the mononuclear fraction. Mononuclear cells suspended in RPMI+20% fetal calf serum (1–2 × 106/ml) were layered onto plastic tissue culture flasks previously coated with murine sarcoma line TU5 microexudate. After 45 min of incubation at 37°C, nonadherent cells were decanted and further eluted with 5× washing and resuspension in RPMI+10% FCS. Nonadherent cells were counted and used as effector cells in natural killer (NK) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) assays. Adherent cells were eluted from microexudate coated flasks by 10 min incubation in 10mM EDTA in PBS. These were washed, counted, and used as effector cells in the monocyte-mediated cytotoxicity (MMC) assay. Collected cells were 90% viable, 90% latex positive, and 90% nonspecific esterase positive. The results of this study suggested that a single dose of IFN between 10–40 × 106 IU/M2 results in enhancement of natural cytolysis in as many as half of patients.
Butyrate decreases its own oxidation in colorectal cancer cells through inhibition of histone deacetylases

Colorectal cancer is characterized by an increase in the utilization of glucose and a diminishment in the oxidation of butyrate, which is a short chain fatty acid. In colorectal cancer cells, butyrate inhibits histone deacetylases to increase the expression of genes that slow the cell cycle and induce apoptosis. Understanding the mechanisms that contribute to the metabolic shift away from butyrate oxidation in cancer cells is important in in understanding the beneficial effects of the molecule toward colorectal cancer. Here, we demonstrate that butyrate decreased its own oxidation in cancerous colonocytes. Butyrate lowered the expression of short chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, an enzyme that mediates the oxidation of short-chain fatty acids. Butyrate does not alter short chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase levels in non-cancerous colonocytes. Trichostatin A, a structurally unrelated inhibitor of histone deacetylases, and propionate also decreased the level of short chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, which alluded to inhibition of histone deacetylases as a part of the mechanism. Knockdown of histone deacetylase isoform 1, but not isoform 2 or 3, inhibited the ability of butyrate to decrease short chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase expression. This work identifies a mechanism by which butyrate selective targets colorectal cancer cells to reduce its own metabolism.
AlcoWear: Detecting blood alcohol levels from wearables

Alcohol abuse causes 88,000 deaths annually. Alcohol affects neuromotor functions such as walk patterns, making them a reliable bio-measure of intoxication. In this paper, we present AlcoWear, a machine learning based system that passively senses a drinker's Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) by classifying accelerometer and gyroscope data gathered from their smartphone and smartwatch. While gait sensor readings taken from a device attached to the user's trunk (smartphone) are the most accurate, users often do not carry their phones (e.g. leave them on a table) while walking around during their day. Smartwatches are worn continuously but are less accurate due to noisier sensor readings (e.g. confounding hand gestures). AlcoWear extracts and classifies features such as sway area (gyroscope) and cadence (accelerometer) from smartphone sensor data, and features such as Total Harmonic Distortion (accelerometer) and angular velocity (gyroscope) from the same users' smartwatches. On the smartphone, the J48 classifier was the most accurate, classifying user gait patterns into BAC ranges of [0.00–0.08), [0.08–0.15), [0.15–0.25), [0.25+) with an accuracy of 89.45%. For the smartwatch, AlcoWear classifies users as being in BAC ranges [ = 0.08] (2 bins) with a 79.8% accuracy using a Random Forest classifier. AlcoWear classifies the smartphone's data when the user carries it, and uses data from the user's smartwatch when the user is not carrying their phone. AlcoWear is the first to combine the smartphone and smartwatch in a collaborative system to sense BAC from gait.
Blood and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers

Sports-related traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) range in severity from severe to subconcussive. Although technologies exist for clinical diagnosis of more severe injuries, methods for diagnosis of milder forms of brain injury are limited. Developing objective measures to indicate pathogenic processes after a suspected mild TBI is challenging for multiple reasons. The field of biomarker discovery for diagnosing TBI continues to expand, with newly identified candidate biomarkers being reported regularly. Brain-specific biomarkers include proteins derived from neurons and glia, and are often measured to assess neural injury and repair, and to predict outcomes. Ideally, changes in biomarker levels should indicate pathologic events and answer critical questions for accurate diagnosis and prognosis. For example, does the presence or a change in the biomarker level suggest greater vulnerability for sustaining a second concussion or show that the window of increased vulnerability has passed? Likewise, do changes in biomarker levels predict postconcussion syndrome or recovery/repair? Although there are numerous promising candidates for fluid biomarkers that may diagnose mild TBI or concussion, none has reached the clinic to date. In this chapter, we will define biomarkers, discuss the importance of understanding their normal and pathologic functions, and outline some considerations for interpreting detection assay results in TBI. We will then review five proposed blood and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers (tau, neurofilament, ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase L1, S100β, and glial fibrillary acidic protein) used currently to address TBI. Lastly, we will discuss a future trajectory for developing new, clinically useful fluid biomarkers.
Emerging imaging technologies in dermatology: Part I: Basic principles

Dermatologists rely primarily on clinical examination in combination with histopathology to diagnose conditions; however, clinical examination alone might not be sufficient for accurate diagnosis and skin biopsies have associated morbidity. With continued technological advancement, there are emerging ancillary imaging technologies available to dermatologists to aid in diagnosis and management. This 2-part review article will discuss these emerging technologies including: digital photographic imaging, confocal microscopy, optical coherence tomography, and high-frequency ultrasound, as well as several additional modalities in development. In this first installment, the authors describe the breadth of technologies available and the science behind them. Then, in the second article, the authors discuss the applications and limitations of these technologies and future directions.
Improvement of open-circuit voltage in metamorphic GaSb cells grown on GaAs substrates by using an interfacial misfit array and an AlSb blocking layer

The performance of metamorphic GaSb solar cells grown on GaAs substrates has been improved by adding an AlSb layer that blocks the propagation of threading dislocations into the cell. The threading dislocation density has been reduced from $2 \times 10^{18}\ \mathbf{cm}^{-2}$ to $3.6 \times 10^{17}\ \mathbf{cm}^{-2}$ . This increases the open circuit voltage from 0.13 V to 0.16 V and decreases the leakage current by 77%. Transmission Electron Microscope data and J-V characteristics under dark and illumination are presented.
Assessing modulators of cytochrome c oxidase activity in Galleria mellonella larvae.

Abstract Caterpillars of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, are shown to be a useful invertebrate organism for examining mitochondrial toxicants (inhibitors of electron transport) and testing putative antidotes. Administration of sodium azide, sodium cyanide, or sodium (hydro)sulfide by intra-haemocoel injection (through a proleg) results in a dose-dependent paralysed state in the larvae lasting from
Abstract MP60: Changes in Gut Microbiota Metabolite TMAO Are Related to Changes in Hepatic and Visceral Fat in Weight-loss Diet Interventions: the POUNDS Lost Trial

Objective: Gut microbiota metabolite Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) has been related to obesity and various cardiometabolic disorders. TMAO is involved in lipid metabolism in the liver; however, lit...
Guidelines for Optimizing the Performance of Metal–Insulator–Semiconductor (MIS) Photoelectrocatalytic Systems by Tuning the Insulator Thickness

Layered metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) materials represent a promising platform for photoelectrocatalytic chemical transformations including solar water splitting. The introduction of insulato...
Trees, photos and Basque identity in Asier Altuna’s Amama (When a Tree Falls)

Asier Altuna’s Amama (When a Tree Falls 2015) is a Basque film that represents important aspects of that society: the dichotomies between rural and urban worlds, the past and the present, parents a...
Investigating the Impact of Online Classes on Undergraduate Degree Completion.

This study expands on current research that examines the impact of online courses on retention, degree completion, and student success. The researchers investigated the impact of online courses on degree completion by using existing graduation rate data, course enrollment data, and student grades for undergraduate students at a multi-campus 4-year institution. The researchers aimed to provide advisors, faculty, and administrators with a better understanding of how online classes fit into an undergraduate student’s program of study while completing their degrees within the desired timeframe. The researchers additionally sought to understand the impact of taking online classes on degree completion while controlling for student demographic and academic factors (e.g. age, first-generation student status, socioeconomic status, SAT/ACT scores, and 1st semester GPA) and campus type (traditional flagship, urban research, and regional). Results indicated that regardless of campus type taking one or more online classes during their program of study increased undergraduate students’ likelihood of successful degree completion. Lastly, to provide further insight, this study compared student performance in online and on campus classes. Results for this comparison were mixed; slightly higher or slightly lower online course grades were obtained by students compared to face-to-face course grades depending on type of campus.
Pricing Tradeoffs for Data Analytics in Fog–Cloud Scenarios

Fog computing represents a generalization of traditional cloud computing, in which application functionality resides at a local device and a remote cloud server. This chapter presents an initial survey of fogonomics, using a case study of distributed data processing to illustrate its research challenges. In particular, it demonstrates the trade‐off between balancing quality‐of‐service and service cost when distributing application tasks between cloud and edge devices, given a set of service prices. Applications utilizing fog architectures will require access to both computing devices at different levels of the cloud‐to‐things continuum and network bandwidth to connect these devices together. The chapter discusses the economics faced by fog applications today. It provides an overview of typical fog application architectures on which economic markets are constructed. The chapter also illustrates how price schemes impact the design of fog applications through the case study.
Impact of mitigating interventions and temperature on the instantaneous reproduction number in the COVID-19 epidemic among 30 US metropolitan areas

Abstract Background After more than four months into the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic, over 347,500 people had died worldwide. The current study aims to evaluate how mitigating interventions affected the epidemic process in the 30 largest metropolitan areas in the US and whether temperature played a role in the epidemic process. Methods Publicly available data for the time series of COVID-19 cases and deaths and weather were analyzed at the metropolitan level. The time-varying reproductive numbers (Rt) based on retrospective moving average were used to explore the trends. Student t tests were used to compare temperature and peak Rt cross-sectionally. Results We found that virus transmissibility, measured by instantaneous reproduction number (Rt), had declined since the end of March for all areas and almost all of them reached a Rt of 1 or below after April 15, 2020. However, the Rts remained around 1 for most areas since then and some small and short rebounds were presented in some areas, suggesting a persistent epidemic in those areas. The timing of the main decline was concurrent with the implementation of mitigating interventions. Cities with warm temperature also tended to have a lower peak Rt than that of cities with cold temperature. However, large geographic variations existed. Conclusions Aggressive interventions might have mitigated the current epidemic of COVID-19, while temperature might have some weak effects on the virus transmission. We may need to prepare for a possible return of the coronavirus outbreak.
Chapter 9 – Numerical Techniques

In Chapter 9 we discuss various numerical techniques for solving problems in linear algebra. For solving systems of linear equations, we discuss the effects of roundoff error, and how partial pivoting, and iterative methods, such as the Jacobi Method and the Gauss-Seidel Method help to alleviate this problem. We also introduce the Power Method for finding eigenvalues and their corresponding eigenvectors. Finally, we present three different matrix decompositions, each having its own set of applications: the LDU Decomposition, QR Factorization, and the Singular Value Decomposition.
Bullying Victimization and e‐Cigarette Use among Middle and High School Students

Background Bullying has been associated with several adverse health outcomes, including substance use. However, little is known about the association between bullying and e-cigarette use. This study examined the association between bully victimization and the frequency of e-cigarette use. Methods Data from the 2016-2017 Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey were used (N = 49,543). The target population consists of Canadian students enrolled in grades 7-12. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association between bullying victimization status and e-cigarette use. Results Among the students included in the study, 14.1% were bullied less than once a week. Bullying victimization was statistically significantly associated with higher odds of any e-cigarette use in the last 30 days. Likewise, those bullied daily or almost daily were more likely to use e-cigarettes more frequently compared to students not bullied. We found a statistically significant difference in analysis stratified by sex, with female bullying victims having higher odds of all measures of e-cigarette use. Conclusions Bullying victims were significantly more likely to use an e-cigarette, and findings appeared to vary by sex. Female bullying victims had a higher likelihood of e-cigarette use.