cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interleukin-12 Is a Costimulatory Cytokine for Leukemic CD3+Large Granular Lymphocytes

The activation signals leading to proliferation of leukemic CD3+ large granular lymphocytes (LGL) are incompletely understood. In this study, the role of recombinant human interleukin-12 (rhIL-12) alone or in combination with other activation signals was studied in vitro. Anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) alone caused marked stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from three CD3+ LGL leukemic patients, whereas rhIL-12 alone had less effect as measured in a [3H]thymidine incorporation assay. The combination signals of anti-CD3 MoAb and rhIL-12 produced a proliferative response greater than anti-CD3 MoAb alone or rhIL-12 alone. Leukemic LGL, purified by CD8+ affinity chromatography, showed similar proliferative responses as PBMC from LGL leukemic patients, suggesting that the observed effect was indeed due to direct stimulation of leukemic LGL. Radiolabeled IL-12 binding studies demonstrated that anti-CD3 MoAb upregulated the number of IL-12 receptors per cell on PBMC from these patients. Neutralizing antibody to rhIL-12 partially blocked the proliferative response to anti-CD3 MoAb suggesting involvement of IL-12 in the pathway of activation of leukemic LGL via stimulation of the T cell receptor (TCR) (mimicking activation by antigen). These results show that IL-12 acts as a costimulatory cytokine for proliferation of leukemic LGL activated through the TCR in vitro.
Sensei: Spoken language assessment for call center agents

In this paper, we present a system, called Sensei, for assessment of spoken English skills of call center agents. Sensei evaluates multiple parameters of spoken English skills, i.e., articulation of sounds, correctness of lexical stress in words and spoken grammar proficiency. Sensei provides an assessment test to be taken by a call center agent (or candidate) and generates score on each of the spoken English parameters as well as a combined score. It is implemented in the form of a Web application so that it can be accessed through a web browser and doesn't require any software to be installed at the client side. We describe how the individual parameters are assessed in Sensei using various speech processing techniques and the experiments conducted to evaluate these techniques. The performance is compared with assessment performed by human assessors. A correlation of 0.8 is obtained between overall score generated by Sensei and human assessors on a real life test dataset of 243 candidates which compares well with the corresponding human-to-human correlation of 0.91.
TOPOLOGICALLY RIGID NON-HAKEN 3-MANIFOLDS

A closed irreducible 3-manifold M is topologically rigid if any homotopy equivalent irreducible 3-manifold is homeomorphic to M. A construction is given which produces infinitely many non-Haken topologically rigid 3-manifolds
Diet Restriction as a Protective Mechanism in Noncancer Toxicity Outcomes: A Review

It is well documented that diet restriction (DR) increases life expectancy, slows aging, and decreases the incidence of a variety of age-associated diseases including cancer and chemical-induced carcinogenesis. With regard to chemical toxicity, very few studies have attempted to investigate the effects of DR on noncancer toxicity outcomes. This review summarizes the findings of how DR influences acute toxicity outcomes and mechanisms. DR-induced protection in ozone lung inflammation, acute toxicity of isoproterenol, ganciclovir-, aspirin- and acidified ethanol-induced gastric injury are discussed. Because similar physiologic mechanisms exist in humans, DR, if practiced as a life-style option, may improve quality of life in addition to accruing savings in burgeoning health care costs. Finally, these studies may be of value in boosting research in the area of pharmacology and therapeutics in developing potential therapeutic and safety assessment tools in human and veterinary medicine.
Haptics as an aid to copying for people with Williams Syndrome

Figure copying is a complex visuo-motor skill that uses aspects of vision and memory to guide precisely directed action. Previous studies have shown that explicit visual training improves the copying abilities of young children. This study considers training in a haptic virtual environment as a method to improve copying abilities in people who show weak performance in such tasks, namely normally developing 4–5 year old children and adults with Williams Syndrome (WS). WS is a rare genetic disorder that results in severe impairment in visuospatial construction tasks, most obvious in copying (but not tracing) deficits. In simple copying tasks, training with a haptic device led to improvement in unassisted copying for both normally developing children and adults with WS. Improvement in copying ability for this pilot study demonstrates the potential effectiveness of haptics as a rehabilitation tool. Comparison of copying and tracing accuracy results also suggests that the copying errors seen in people with WS and 4–5 year old children stem from visuo-spatial deficits, and not solely from deficits in motor skills.
Surface micromachined, digitally force-balanced accelerometer with integrated CMOS detection circuitry

The authors have described a surface micromachined accelerometer with digital electrostatic feedback using Sigma - Delta modulation technique, fabricated in a modular CMOS/microstructure process. Detection circuits have been tested successfully. The unity gain buffer with low input capacitance can also be used for other capacitive detection applications. The accelerometer has been characterized in the self-testing mode and has demonstrated the functionality of the device. >
Emissions from residential combustion considering end-uses and spatial constraints: Part II, emission reduction scenarios

Abstract Cooking, heating, and other activities in the residential sector are major sources of indoor and outdoor air pollution, especially when solid fuels are used to provide energy. Because of their deleterious effects on the atmosphere and human health, multinational strategies to reduce emissions have been proposed. This study examines the effects of some possible policies, considering realistic factors that constrain mitigation: end-uses, spatial constraints involving proximity to forest or electricity, existing technology, and assumptions about user behavior. Reduction scenarios are applied to a year-2010, spatially distributed baseline of emissions of particulate matter, black carbon, organic carbon, nitrogen oxides, methane, non-methane hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. Scenarios explored are: (1) cleanest current stove, where we assume that existing technology in each land type is applied to burn existing fuels; (2) stove standards, where we assume that stoves are designed to meet performance standards; and (3) clean fuels, where users adopt the cleanest fuels plausible in each land type. We assume that people living in forest access areas continue to use wood regardless of available fuels, so the clean-fuels scenario leads to a reduction in emissions of 18–25%, depending on the pollutant, across the study region. Cleaner stoves preferentially affect land types with forest access, where about half of the fuel is used; emission reductions range from 25 to 82%, depending on the pollutant. If stove performance standards can be met, particulate matter emissions are reduced by 62% for the loosest standards and 95% for the tightest standards, and carbon monoxide is reduced by 40% and 62% for the loosest and tightest standards. Reductions in specific regions and countries depend on the existing fuel mixture and the population division among land types, and are explored for Latin America, Africa, East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Practical considerations in the implementation of a frequency-domain adaptive noise canceller

This paper is concerned with problems evolving around the implementation of a frequency-domain adaptive noise canceller on a fixed-point signal processor. In particular, we propose methods to improve the convergence speed and reduce the computational complexity of a constrained frequency-domain algorithm that uses a time-varying step size. In addition, we study the effects of finite word length and fixed-point arithmetic. Improvements are realized by adopting a new data reusing scheme and by applying running and pruned FFT's. Results are given using synthetic data, as well as data from noise cancellation experiments. >
Four Correlation Coefficients with a Third Blocking Variable: Their Efficacy, Relative Efficiency, and Test Statistics

Abstract The efficacy and the asymptotic relative efficiency (ARE) of a weighted sum of Kendall's taus, a weighted sum of Spearman's rhos, a weighted sum of Pearson's r's, and a weighted sum of z-transformation of the Fisher–Yates correlation coefficients, in the presence of a blocking variable, are discussed. The method of selecting the weighting constants that maximize the efficacy of these four correlation coefficients is proposed. The estimate, test statistics and confidence interval of the four correlation coefficients with weights are also developed. To compare the small-sample properties of the four tests, a simulation study is performed. The theoretical and simulated results all prefer the weighted sum of the Pearson correlation coefficients with the optimal weights, as well as the weighted sum of z-transformation of the Fisher–Yates correlation coefficients with the optimal weights.
Infected Congenital Mucocele of the Nasolacrimal Duct

The authors report their experience with an infant presenting with an infected nasolacrimal duct mucocele, emphasizing correlation of clinical, CT, and surgical findings. CT is the imaging modality of choice to demonstrate the triad of 1) a cystic medial canthal mass, 2) dilatation of the nasolacrimal duct, and 3) a submucosal nasal cavity mass; findings which are diagnostic of this entity. A brief review of the relevant embryology is also presented.
Metallic glasses as relaxed Bernal structures

A dense random packing of 888 hard spheres has been relaxed with respect to a realistic interatomic potential. The result is compared to the experimental pair distribution function of amorphous Co and an amorphous Ni76P24 alloy. The positions of the maxima of the pair distribution function of Co are accurately reproduced. The differences between Co and Ni76P24 are discussed.
Micromagnetism and magnetization reversal of micron-scale (110) Fe thin-film magnetic elements

Magnetic force microscope ~MFM! imaging in conjunction with longitudinal Kerr hysteresis loop measurements have been used to investigate the micromagnetic behavior of micron scale epitaxial ~110! bcc Fe thin-film elements~50-nm thick! with rectangular, triangular, and needle-shaped ends and competing magnetic anisotropies. Thin-film elements of 2-mm width and 6-mm length and greater have been fabricated with their long axis oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the @001# in-plane magnetocrystalline easy axis. For elements with their long axis perpendicular to the @001# direction, the end shape is critical in determining domain nucleation, domain configurations, and magnetic hysteresis. The magnetization reversal mechanisms are revealed by direct field dependent MFM imaging. Magnetic vortex configurations within elements during reversal are seen to be affected by small changes in element corner shape. Similarly, small trapped domains and domain walls are observed to applied fields significantly larger than the coercive field and apparent magnetic saturation field, as determined by hysteresis loop measurements of arrays of elements. These are shown to have a dramatic effect on the character of the low-field magnetic hysteresis. Particles with long axis parallel to the @001# direction have large remanence and switching fields which also depend sensitively on end shape. The angular dependence of the switching field observed in these elements is contrasted to that of magnetization reversal by coherent rotation.
Allocation of the thoracic imaginal primordia in the Drosophila embryo.

The primordia of the thoracic imaginal discs of the Drosophila embryo originate as groups of cells spanning the parasegment boundary. We present evidence that the thoracic imaginal primordia are allocated in response to signals from the wingless (wg) and decapentaplegic (dpp) gene products. Rows of cells that express wg intersect rows of cells that express dpp to form a ladder-like pattern in the ectoderm of the germ band extended embryo. The imaginal primordia originate as groups of cells which lie near these intersection points. We have used a molecular probe derived from the Distal-less (Dll) gene to show that this population contains progenitor cells for both the dorsal (i.e. wing) and ventral (i.e. leg) discs. Although we show that Dll function is not required for allocation of imaginal cells, activation of an early Dll enhancer may serve as a molecular marker for allocation. A group of cells, which includes the imaginal progenitors, activate this enhancer in response to intercellular signals from wg and perhaps from dpp. We have used a conditional allele of wg to show that wg function is transiently required for both allocation of the imaginal primordia and for initiation of Dll expression in these cells during the brief interval when wg and dpp form the ladder-like pattern. Allocation of the imaginal primordium and activation of Dll expression appear to be parallel responses to a single set of positional cues.
Zero energy houses for China: prefabricated sustainable housing for disaster relief

The design team proposes to develop a prototype for a sustainable prefabricated Zero Energy House for the Sichuan Province in China. Sichuan Province in China was recently struck by a major earthquake which left millions of people homeless. In the next six months, the Chinese housing market will provide one million housing units to the affected region as a disaster relief reconstruction effort, and a large percentage of these units will be completely or partly prefabricated. Sustainability in terms of alternative energy strategies and use of sustainable materials is largely not addressed in standardized prefabricated dwellings. Current strategies for disaster relief shelter commonly involve tents and plastic membranes because they are economical, easily transported, and flexible enough to accommodate various situations. While they are appropriate and convenient for immediate response, they do not provide adequate protection from extreme conditions or offer long-term solutions for housing. Combining sustainable practices with well-planned design addressing production and transportation costs, shipping and production times, assembly, ability to cool in hot climates, and inclusion of cultural and social norms, sustainable prefabricated housing offers better solutions for long-term transitional or replacement housing.
THE NEW REVENGE AND THE OLD RETRIBUTION: INSIGHTS FROM MONTE CRISTO

What do crime victims want? The answer suggested by Alexandre Dumas’ iconic character Edmund Dantes in The Count of Monte Cristo suggests that victims may want retribution, not revenge. Victims may seek more than restored honor or personal restitution. They may long for justice to prevail as an affirmation that the world still makes sense. Yet, Dumas also reminds us through the novel that human justice is only human and cannot provide this kind of cosmic guarantee. From this perspective, it is revenge, not retribution that looks more measured and more humane.
Experimental investigation of fracture aperture and permeability change within Enhanced Geothermal Systems

Abstract A method was developed for experimentally observing the evolution of fracture aperture/permeability within a granite-based Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) in an attempt to better understand the reduction of fracture permeability due to chemical and mechanical processes. Specimens of granite were subjected to flow-through column-like experiments to characterize the evolution of fracture aperture/permeability in a near-field setting for 20 and 40 days. Near-field experimental conditions approached in-situ shallow EGS conditions: granite rock, tensile fracture, 120 °C temperature, and 25–35 MPa effective stress. Following each 20–40 day experiment, permeability, fracture aperture, and mass of minerals dissolved were computed using pore-pressure observations, effluent chemistry, and non-concurrent X-ray computed tomography (CT) scan imaging. Results showed an increased upstream pore pressure, which could indicate a decline in permeability due to a combination of the dissolution of fracture propping asperities and mechanical creep. Effluent solution composition was in agreement with the dissolution of silicates (most notably feldspars) which points to a geochemically driven decrease in aperture due to mineral dissolution rather than mechanical effects. In comparison, the pore pressure measurements corresponded to a greater aperture change than the effluent chemistry (0.127 vs 0.101 μm, respectively). This discrepancy may be attributed to the contribution of other physical processes to fracture aperture change, including mechanical creep. Similarly, the CT scan showed a decreased fracture aperture, but the low resolution and non-concurrent scans influenced higher aperture closure estimates in comparison to the effluent chemistry and pore pressure measurements. However, the CT-scan confirmed the scale-dependency of the chemical and mechanical processes. Fundamentally, the study demonstrated a method for ensuring near-field conditions and observing the chemical and physical processes associated with fracture permeability decline.
Taboo desires, creativity, and career choice

Two studies suggest that Protestants are more likely than Catholics or Jews to sublimate taboo desires into motives to pursue creative careers. The results are consistent with a synthesis of psychological and classic sociological theories. In Study 1, Protestants induced to have taboo sexual desires were likely to express a preference for creative careers (as opposed to prosocial ones). In Study 2, a national probability sample revealed that “conflicted” Protestants—who had taboo desires but tried to rule their sexual behavior according to their religious beliefs—worked in the most creative jobs. The effects in both studies did not hold for Catholics and Jews. Results suggest that intrapsychic conflict can partially motivate important real-world decisions, such as the choice to pursue a creative career.
Positive and Negative Effects of the Power of Words: Using Sport as a Lens

Consistent with the theme of the Academy of Management meeting this year, we are proposing a symposium which investigates the power of words within a relatively unique context—the world of sport. We suggest that sport, while being a relatively unique context, provides an advantageous lens with which to address how words “facilitate or hinder the outcomes that various organizational stakeholders seek” (AOM 2014 Meeting Call). The overarching theme to be addressed by each panelist is the “power of words” in influencing seminal determinants of team/organizational performance. More specifically, the panelists will address the following, moving from micro to more macro, matters: -the power of coaches’ half-time speeches--what leads to the best results, is it hell & brimstone and/or Xs and Os (technical) speeches?; -how a coach can be strategic, and at times purposefully imprecise, in the use of words to convey important messages, especially when communicating across generations and cultures; -the power of word...
Changes in Plasma Lipids and Lipolytic Activity during Recovery from Exercise of Untrained Rats

AbstractThe activities of lipoprotein lipase in adipose tissue and heart homogenates, and epinephrine-stimulated lipase of adipose tissue were determined at the end of an exercise bout and during recovery from exercise of untrained rats. Concurrently, triglyceride and free fatty acid concentrations of plasma were measured. Lipoprotein lipase activity in adipose tissue homogenates was depressed at the end of the exercise bout and remained depressed 24 hr later. Heart lipoprotein lipase activity was significantly elevated 24 hr after the exercise bout. Basal activity of epinephrine-stimulated lipase (without epinephrine) was significantly elevated at the end of the exercise bout, remained elevated for 6 hr, but returned to control levels 12 hr later. In the presence of epinephrine, however, the activity of the enzyme was elevated at the end of the bout and throughout the 18-hr period of recovery after the exercise bout. Plasma triglyceride concentrations tended to decrease with exercise and the subsequent p...
Functional upregulation of H+-ATPase by lethal acid stress in cultured inner medullary collecting duct cells.

The response of H+-ATPase to lethal acid stress is unknown. A mutant strain (called NHE2d) was derived from cultured inner medullary collecting duct cells (mIMCD-3 cells) following three cycles of ...
Cellular Defense Systems of the Protochordata

Chordates are the largest phylum of deuterostomes and are divided into three subphyla: the Vertebra ta, Cephalochordata, and Urochordata. Although cephalochordates and urochordates lack a vertebral column, they do possess the three distinguishing characteristics of chordates at some time in their life cycle, i.e., a notochord, a dorsal tubular nerve cord, and pharyngeal clefts or gill slits. They are frequently referred to as the Protochordata, the subject of this chapter.
Development of SNP Genotyping Assays for Seed Composition Traits in Soybean

Seed composition is one of the most important determinants of the economic values in soybean. The quality and quantity of different seed components, such as oil, protein, and carbohydrates, are crucial ingredients in food, feed, and numerous industrial products. Soybean researchers have successfully developed and utilized a diverse set of molecular markers for seed trait improvement in soybean breeding programs. It is imperative to design and develop molecular assays that are accurate, robust, high-throughput, cost-effective, and available on a common genotyping platform. In the present study, we developed and validated KASP (Kompetitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction) genotyping assays based on previously known functional mutant alleles for the seed composition traits, including fatty acids, oligosaccharides, trypsin inhibitor, and lipoxygenase. These assays were validated on mutant sources as well as mapping populations and precisely distinguish the homozygotes and heterozygotes of the mutant genes. With the obvious advantages, newly developed KASP assays in this study can substitute the genotyping assays that were previously developed for marker-assisted selection (MAS). The functional gene-based assay resource developed using common genotyping platform will be helpful to accelerate efforts to improve soybean seed composition traits.
Expert search based knowledge sharing system for collaborative environment

In collaborative environment (CE) multiple members work together to achieve a common goal. But to find person/source that has most relevant information is a challenging part as the information requirement varies from task to task. Today, people are working in a collaborative environment to explore the ever increasing data and have new insights for knowledge sharing. Analyzing these needs we have proposed a system that finds the most appropriate and relevant documents based on the search query. In this system relevancy of document is supported by expert search method. In expert search, various aspects such as author name, hit count (number of downloads) of document, time span of hit count and last hit to that document are considered and clustering of retrieved results with meaningful cluster labels are identified to find whether a search term is used in the intended sense in that document. In this system, documents uploaded by members are analyzed. After analysis, indexing of documents is done. Further based on search query documents are retrieved and labeled clusters of documents are formed. Finally expert search is applied over mined results. This system helps in getting exact knowledge with quick response and repeating efforts for finding same information can be avoided with efficient time utilization. The performance of proposed system is evaluated with respect to response time of system. Thus, the effective use of knowledge sharing (data/information) is achieved with the Expert Search for time efficient systems.
Alternative Polyadenylation in Human Diseases

Varying length of messenger RNA (mRNA) 3'-untranslated region is generated by alternating the usage of polyadenylation sites during pre-mRNA processing. It is prevalent through all eukaryotes and has emerged as a key mechanism for controlling gene expression. Alternative polyadenylation (APA) plays an important role for cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. In this review, we discuss the functions of APA related with various physiological conditions including cellular metabolism, mRNA processing, and protein diversity in a variety of disease models. We also discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying APA regulation, such as variations in the concentration of mRNA processing factors and RNA-binding proteins, as well as global transcriptome changes under cellular signaling pathway.
Enzastaurin (LY317615.HCl) dramatically enhances the sensitivity of glioblastoma cells and xenografts to temozolomide by blocking signaling through the p90RSK and the AKT pathways and inhibiting CREB transcription factor activation.

LB-117 Enzastaurin (ENZ) is an ATP-competitive inhibitor of PKCβ (IC50 = 6nM), other PKCs (α,δ, ϵ, θ, ι, γ, IC50s in vivo as well. Our data show that TMZ treatment of GBM cells elicits a substantial increase in the phosphorylation of the transcription factor CREB ser133 , a key transcriptional regulator for pro-survival genes. Accordingly, TMZ treatment elicits an increase in CREB-regulated endogenous gene expression and CREB promoter-reporter activity. CREB S133 phosphorylation can be stimulated by p90RSK and AKT. We show that ENZ directly inhibits p90RSK activity (IC50 ser133 phosphorylation and CREB transcriptional activity. Further, we show that siRNA-mediated reduction of CREB expression sensitizes GBM cells to TMZ-induced apoptosis, indicating that CREB plays a key role in the survival response of GBM cells to TMZ. Collectively, these data suggest that ENZ prevents GBM cells from activating the pro-survival transcription factor CREB in response to the oncolytic insult of TMZ treatment by blocking signaling through p90RSK and the AKT pathway thereby enhancing the efficacy of TMZ for the treatment of glioblastomas.
Telling Stories, Telling Tales

Among my fondest memories of 4th grade were reading biographies and autobiographies of famous people. The trips down the hallway to the school library were special events.
Stock Compensation: The Most Expensive Way to Pay Future Cash

Despite its popularity, stock compensation is the most expensive way to pay future cash to employees. Debt and deferred cash compensation are cheaper. The after-tax, after-inflation cost of debt to a corporation is near zero over long periods of time. Stock has an extraordinary premium discount rate, which represents an extraordinary cost to the issuer. Stock has a premium discount rate first because it is so volatile. Holders, including executives, have to be paid a premium to overcome risk aversion. But 80% of the volatility arises from market-wide or industry-wide volatility that the executives can do nothing about. Volatility unrelated to the firm is noxious waste that should not be imported into compensation. Stock has an extraordinary discount rate, secondly, because of market distrust of management. The market fears that management will misuse accumulations for self serving investments and overcompensation. But market paranoia about management does not need to be imported into compensation plans for and by management. Stock has such an extraordinary discount rate, thirdly, because of tax. Deferring compensation gives a benefit that is as valuable systematically as not paying capital gain tax. Giving evidence of debt, instead of stock, to executives would give the issuer a tax deduction for the discount rate, as well as decreasing the issuers cost by increasing its credibility. Stock compensation seems to be so popular because it allows management to convince itself and its shareholders that the compensation has no cost. Stock pushes the cash cost beyond management's horizon for evaluation and allows reporting to shareholders that the compensation is free. The real costs of the high discount rates are however extraordinary. Management that is faithful to the interests of the corporation do not responsibly use a format, stock compensation, that is the single most expensive format by which to pay compensation.
Pulmonary Facts and Formulas

Pulmonary disorders are among the most common causes of admission to an intensive care unit and frequently seen in acute care medicine. The following formulas and facts are presented to aid in the diagnosis and management of patients presenting to the emergency department and the intensive care unit (ICU) with pulmonary conditions. Some of the formulas are not useful in the clinical area; however, their understanding is of paramount importance in understanding the normal and abnormal pulmonary physiology and therefore cannot be excluded from this chapter.
Airway obstruction by granulation tissue within a fenestrated tracheotomy tube: Case report

Complications of tracheotomy tube placement can be categorized as intraoperative, early postoperative, and late postoperative. Among the late complications is the development of granulation tissue. We describe one of the few reported cases of granulation tissue that formed within a fenestrated tracheotomy tube. In this case, the granulation tissue grew through the fenestrations, obliterated the tracheal lumen, and tethered the tube to the trachea itself. As a result, the patient required emergency treatment to restore airway patency.
Comparison of Skin Reflectances between Bolivian Lowlanders and Highlanders of European Ancestry

I compared one genetic marker, skin reflectances, between Bolivians of European ancestry residing at high altitude in La Paz (3600 m; 41 boys and 65 girls) and at low altitude in Santa Cruz (400 m; 140 boys and 117 girls). Reflectances were measured at three wavelengths (425 nm, 545 nm, and 685 nm) on two different sites: the medial surface of the inner upper arm and the forehead. Principal components analysis was used to reduce age-, sex-, and surname-standardized reflectances to three independent components. The first principal component, which assesses the genetic component of melanin concentration, did not differ between samples, indicating that there are no significant differences between lowland and highland Bolivians of European ancestry with respect to the genetic component of skin reflectances. The second principal component, which assesses the influence of tanning on skin reflectance, also did not differ significantly between highlanders and lowlanders. Finally, the third principal component, which assesses the impact of vascularity on skin reflectance, was significantly lower in residents of La Paz than in residents of Santa Cruz, suggesting a greater vascularity-induced darkening of skin color in highlanders than lowlanders, possibly reflecting the higher hemoglobin concentrations that are typical of highland populations.
Patient Selection for Combined Heart and Kidney Transplantation

There are no published guidelines to help make decisions on which patients will benefit from combined heart–kidney transplant (CHKT) versus heart transplant alone (HTA). Listing criteria are largely center-specific. Optimizing organ allocation and patient outcomes after CHKT require a close multidisciplinary team approach. This review focuses on evaluation of kidney function in the setting of advanced HF and understanding criteria for CHKT.
Computational Models of Polymer Synthesis Driven by Dehydration/Rehydration Cycles: Repurination in Simulated Hydrothermal Fields

Cycles of biologically relevant reactions are an alternative to an origin of life emerging from a steady state away from equilibrium. The cycles involve a rate at which polymers are synthesized and accumulate in microscopic compartments called protocells, and two rates in which monomers and polymers are chemically degraded by hydrolytic reactions. Recent experiments have demonstrated that polymers are synthesized from mononucleotides and accumulate during cycles of hydration and dehydration, which means that the rate of polymer synthesis during the dehydrated phase of the cycle is balanced (but not dominated) by the rate of polymer hydrolysis during the hydrated phase of the cycle. Furthermore, depurination must be balanced by the reverse process of repurination. Here we describe a computational model that was inspired by experimental results, can be generalized to accommodate other reaction parameters, and has qualitative predictive power.
Heterozygous Mylk3 Knockout Mice Partially Recapitulate Human DCM With Heterozygous MYLK3 Mutations

Backgrounds: Recent studies identified heterozygous variants in MYLK3 gene that encodes cardiac myosin light chain kinase (cMLCK) are related to familial dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) for the first time. Autosomal dominant traits suggest that pathogenesis of DCM could be related to heterozygous MYLK3 loss-of-function variants (haploinsufficiency). We previously generated and examined homozygous Mylk3 knockout mice that lead to heart failure. It had yet to be examined whether heterozygous Mylk3 knockout mice represent a DCM-like phenotype. Methods and Results: Heterozygous knockout (Mylk3wild/-) mice were examined regarding cardiac function, heart histology and expression of cMLCK protein and mRNA relative to age-matched wild-type controls (Mylk3wild/wild). At 4 months of age, cardiac contractility in heterozygous knockout mice was reduced with percent fractional shortening of 23.0  1.2% comparted to 30.0  1.7% in control (Mylk3 wild/- vs. Mylk3wild/wild, n=9 each). In 4-month-old heterozygous knockout hearts, expression of cMLCK mRNA was expectedly reduced by almost half, however protein expression was reduced by approximately 75% relative to the control wild-type (Mylk3 wild/- vs. Mylk3wild/wild, n=9 each). Isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes from heterozygous knockout mice were larger with increase of short-axis length relative to the cardiomyocytes from control mice. However, increase of heart failure markers as well as interstitial fibrosis were not evident in heterozygous knockout mice compared to controls. Conclusion: Heterozygous Mylk3 knockout mice show mild reduction of cardiac contractility by 4 months of age, and proteins reduced by approximately 75% relative to the control wild-type mice. These mice partly resemble human with the heterozygous MYLK3 mutation, but the reduction in cardiac contractility was milder.
Weight loss over time in non-small cell lung cancer: Results from a landmark analysis of 800+ prospectively-treated patients

Abstract Background Weight loss prior to cancer treatment carry a negative impact on clinical outcomes. However, few studies have addressed whether weight assessment over time is plagued by high dropout rates and whether weight change carries a prognostic association in the same manner as it does at baseline. Methods A pooled analysis of individual patient data was undertaken among non-small cell lung cancer patients who participated in prospective cancer treatment trials from the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology from 1998-2008. This study examined 1) rates of missing weight data over time and 2) the prognostic association of weight beyond baseline assessment. Results 822 chemotherapy-treated patients were examined. 659 (80%) were still on treatment at the beginning of cycle 2. Weight was available for 656 (80%) patients. However, by cycles 3 and 4, weight was available for only 448 (55%) and 384 (47%) patients, respectively. From baseline to immediately prior to cycle 2, 224 patients (34% of 656) lost more than 2% baseline weight, and 226 (34%) lost between 0 and 2%. With respect to prognostic associations, the median survival time from the beginning of cycle 2 was 6.9, 10.9, and 13.0 months for patients with weight loss of 2% or more, loss of Conclusions Weight is a clinically useful endpoint and should be integrated into cancer cachexia trials because of its ease of frequent measurement and sustained prognostic association. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding Fred C and Katherine B Andersen Foundation and the United States National Cancer Institute. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Creating COVID-19 Stigma by Referencing the Novel Coronavirus as the "Chinese virus" on Twitter: Quantitative Analysis of Social Media Data.

Background: Stigma is the deleterious, structural force that devalues members of groups that hold undesirable characteristics. Since stigma is created and reinforced by society—through in-person and online social interactions—referencing the novel coronavirus as the “Chinese virus” or “China virus” has the potential to create and perpetuate stigma. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess if there was an increase in the prevalence and frequency of the phrases “Chinese virus” and “China virus” on Twitter after the March 16, 2020, US presidential reference of this term. Methods: Using the Sysomos software (Sysomos, Inc), we extracted tweets from the United States using a list of keywords that were derivatives of “Chinese virus.” We compared tweets at the national and state levels posted between March 9 and March 15 (preperiod) with those posted between March 19 and March 25 (postperiod). We used Stata 16 (StataCorp) for quantitative analysis, and Python (Python Software Foundation) to plot a state-level heat map. Results: A total of 16,535 “Chinese virus” or “China virus” tweets were identified in the preperiod, and 177,327 tweets were identified in the postperiod, illustrating a nearly ten-fold increase at the national level. All 50 states witnessed an increase in the number of tweets exclusively mentioning “Chinese virus” or “China virus” instead of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or coronavirus. On average, 0.38 tweets referencing “Chinese virus” or “China virus” were posted per 10,000 people at the state level in the preperiod, and 4.08 of these stigmatizing tweets were posted in the postperiod, also indicating a ten-fold increase. The 5 states with the highest number of postperiod “Chinese virus” tweets were Pennsylvania (n=5249), New York (n=11,754), Florida (n=13,070), Texas (n=14,861), and California (n=19,442). Adjusting for population size, the 5 states with the highest prevalence of postperiod “Chinese virus” tweets were Arizona (5.85), New York (6.04), Florida (6.09), Nevada (7.72), and Wyoming (8.76). The 5 states with the largest increase in pre- to postperiod “Chinese virus” tweets were Kansas (n=697/58, 1202%), South Dakota (n=185/15, 1233%), Mississippi (n=749/54, 1387%), New Hampshire (n=582/41, 1420%), and Idaho (n=670/46, 1457%). Conclusions: The rise in tweets referencing “Chinese virus” or “China virus,” along with the content of these tweets, indicate that knowledge translation may be occurring online and COVID-19 stigma is likely being perpetuated on Twitter.
Quantifying the need for pediatric REBOA: A gap analysis.

Abstract Background Trauma is the leading cause of death in children. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) provides temporary hemorrhage control, but its potential benefit has not been assessed in children. We hypothesized that there are pediatric patients who may benefit from REBOA. Methods Trauma patients Results There were 239 severely injured patients out of 6538 pediatric traumas. Of these, 38 had REBOA-amenable injuries (15.9%) with 34.2% mortality, accounting for 10.2% of all pediatric trauma deaths at one center. Eleven patients with REBOA-amenable injuries had TBI (28.9%). Patients with REBOA-amenable injuries represented 0.6% of all pediatric traumas. Conclusion Nearly 20% of severely injured pediatric patients could potentially benefit from REBOA. The overall proportion of pediatric patients with REBOA-amenable injuries is similar to adult studies. Type of Study Retrospective comparative study. Level of Evidence Level III.
Self-fulfilling Prophecies

A self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when an originally false social belief leads people to act in ways that objectively confirm that belief. This article presents an overview of 50 years of research on self-fulfilling prophecies. First, some of the controversies surrounding Rosenthal and Jacobson's (1968) finding that teacher expectations influence student IQ are described. Those controversies have led to several modern lines of research—including meta-analysis, studies of the self-fulfilling nature of social stereotypes, research comparing the extent to which self-fulfilling prophecy vs. accuracy characterizes naturally occurring social perception, and a search for conditions strengthening and weakening self-fulfilling prophecies. Modern research has also begun investigating the role of self-fulfilling prophecies in close relationships (such as parent–child, college roommates, and romantic couples). Underexplored areas offering fertile ground for future self-fulfilling prophecy research are identified, as are some of the ways existing self-fulfilling prophecy research contributes to understanding relations between social beliefs and social reality.
The data-collection on adverse effects of anti-HIV drugs (D:A:D) model for predicting cardiovascular events: External validation in a diverse cohort of people living with HIV.

Objectives Little is known about the external validity of the Data-collection on Adverse Effects of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D) model for predicting cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among people living with HIV (PLWH). We aimed to evaluate the performance of the updated D:A:D model for 5-year CVD risk in a diverse group of PLWH engaged in HIV care. Methods We used data from an institutional HIV registry, which includes PLWH engaged in care at a safety-net HIV clinic. Eligible individuals had a baseline clinical encounter between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2014, with follow-up through to 31 December 2019. We estimated 5-year predicted risks of CVD as a function of the prognostic index and baseline survival of the D:A:D model, which were used to assess model discrimination (C-index), calibration and net benefit. Results Our evaluable population comprised 1029 PLWH, of whom 30% were female, 50% were non-Hispanic black, and median age was 45 years. The C-index was 0.70 [95% confidence limits (CL): 0.64-0.75]. The predicted 5-year CVD risk was 3.0% and the observed 5-year risk was 8.9% (expected/observed ratio = 0.33, 95% CL: 0.26-0.54). The model had a greater net benefit than treating all or treating none at a risk threshold of 10%. Conclusions The D:A:D model was miscalibrated for CVD risk among PLWH engaged in HIV care at an urban safety-net HIV clinic, which may be related to differences in case-mix and baseline CVD risk. Nevertheless, the HIV D:A:D model may be useful for decisions about CVD intervention for high-risk patients.
Simultaneous Estimation and Modeling of Robotic Systems with Non-Gaussian State Belief

This paper develops a probabilistic simultaneous estimation and modeling (SEAM) framework for estimating a robot’s state and correcting its motion model parameters. This is done by incorporating model uncertainty in state prediction and correcting parameters via optimization. In the proposed technique, belief about a state being estimated is represented by arbitrary multi-dimensional non-Gaussian probability distribution functions. The approach is validated in proof-of-concept for second-order simulated systems whose models are poorly estimated. Given sufficient state observations, the proposed framework reliably reduces and usually converges model parameter error. In comparison with existing advanced estimators, robotic state estimation is enhanced under this framework when model uncertainty is high and state belief is highly unstructured and non-Gaussian. This work holds promise for challenging robotic localization, estimation, and prediction problems across many complex domains.
Human-Supplied versus Computer-Supplied Feedback: An Empirical and Pragmatic Study.

AbstractTwenty-nine students in a deductive logic course were studied in order to compare two forms of diagnostic feedback that accompanied the use of CAI programs. One form of feedback was delivered in special meetings between student and instructor and a second form of feedback was delivered by the CAI programs. The content of the feedback was determined by the instructor in both cases. A within-groups experimental design was used. Students were divided into two groups, and each group received each form of feedback during different stages of the course. The main dependent measures included exam performance, class attendance and responsiveness, and attitudes toward the instructor, computers, other students, and the course. The results show that there was some advantage to instructor-supplied feedback as opposed to computer-supplied feedback during the most difficult phase of the course with respect to exam performance, class responsiveness, and student attitudes toward the instructor and other students. ...
Sports nutrition : energy metabolism and exercise

Introduction to Sports Nutrition: Energy Metabolism Barry Braun and Benjamin F. Miller ENERGY-YIELDING NUTRIENTS Utilization of Carbohydrates in Energy Production J. Andrew Doyle, Charilaos Papadopoulos, Michael S. Green Utilization of Fats in Energy Production Serge P. von Duvillard, Jena Hamra, G. William Lyerly, Jonathan A. Moore, J. Larry Durstine Utilization of Proteins in Energy Metabolism Mauro G. Di Pasquale ESTIMATION OF ENERGY REQUIREMENTS Laboratory Methods for Determining Energy Expenditure of Athletes Robert G. McMurray, Kristin S. Ondrak Field Assessment of Physical Activity and Energy Expenditure among Athletes Kelley K. Pettee, Catrine Tudor-Locke, Barbara E. Ainsworth PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF ENERGY METABOLISM Influence of Dietary Fiber on Body Weight Regulation Daniel D. Gallaher Nutritional Implications of Sex and Age Differences in Energy Metabolism A.C. Maher, Mark A. Tarnopolsky Body Weight Regulation and Energy Needs Melinda M. Manore, Janice L. Thompson
Can Liquidity Events Explain the Low-Short-Interest Puzzle? Implications from the Options Market

This paper argues that liquidity events in short selling, such as short squeezes, margin calls, and stock specialness, may be an important part of short-selling constraints. We gauge the importance of liquidity events by utilizing a market-based measure, which is the cost of using options to limit the potential losses of short selling. Our approach circumvents the typical endogeneity problem in directly estimating the magnitude of short-sale constraints. We show that the costs of insurance against liquidity events exceed the abnormal profits of short positions. Our results therefore suggest that liquidity events can impose substantial costs on short sellers, and may thus explain the low-short-interest puzzle.
Localized kidney uptake of bone imaging agent following renal irradiation

A 14 years old girl, with documented Ewing's sarcoma, was treated by both chemotherapy and surgery. An initial bone scan (TC-99m-MI)I*) did not reveal a renal lesion. However, following therapeutic irradiation, there was retention of the bone imaging agent in a portion of the kidney that had been included in the radiation field. This reflected the effects of radiation related parenchymal alteration rather than retention of the bone imaging agent due to outflow tract obstruction, or to the presence of tumor.