cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
BDNF Met allele as a risk factor for inflammation-induced depression in breast cancer survivors

Inflammation may contribute to the development of depression in a subset of individuals. However, risk factors that render certain individuals more vulnerable to depression following an inflammatory stimulus have not been determined. Drawing from animal studies showing that reductions in neural plasticity may mediate effects of inflammation on depressive symptoms, we hypothesized that individuals genetically predisposed to lower levels of neural plasticity may be more susceptible to inflammation-induced depression. More specifically, the current study examined whether the Met allele of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, which predisposes individuals to reduced levels of plasticity, moderates the association between inflammation and depressive symptoms. We tested this hypothesis in a sample of 111 women with early-stage breast cancer who had recently completed treatment with surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy, which can activate inflammatory pathways. Participants provided blood draws for genotyping and assessment of circulating inflammatory markers, and completed a questionnaire assessing depressive symptoms, including somatic, affective, and cognitive components of depression. Results revealed a significant interaction between BDNF genotype and CRP in predicting depressive symptoms ( p = .036), such that women carrying at least one Met allele displayed a stronger association between CRP and cognitive depressive symptoms than those without a Met allele. A similar interaction emerged for IL-1ra ( p = .055). Results support the hypothesis that the BDNF Met allele may be a risk factor for inflammation-induced depression among breast cancer survivors.
Investigating Textbook Reserves: A Case Study of Two Models for Reserves Collections

This article examines the behaviors and preferences of medical and nursing students in relation to their required textbooks and library reserves. The findings are based on an April 2015 survey at the University of Illinois-Chicago satellite Library of the Health Sciences in Urbana, where the library provides access to textbooks through traditional “closed” reserves in addition to an “open” reserves collection. Results indicate several barriers to usability regarding traditional reserves services and suggest that students prefer open reserves for convenience and savings. While broad applicability of the model warrants further investigation, academic libraries may be better able to meet patron needs by implementing open textbook reserves.
Reevaluation of Cheek Patterns of Juvenal-Plumaged Blue-Eyed and King Shags

AR, A., C. V. PAGANELLI, R. B. REEVES, D. B. GREEN, AND H. RAHN. 1974. The avian egg: water vapor conductance, shell thickness, and functional pore area. Condor 76:153-158. AR, A., AND H. RAHN. 1978. Interdependence of gas conductance, incubation length, and weight of the avian egg, p. 227-236. In J. Piiper [ed.], Respiratory function in birds, adult and embryonic. Springer, New York. BIRCHARD, G. F., AND D. L. KILGORE, JR. 1980. Conductance of water vapor in eggs of burrowing and nonburrowing birds: implications for embryonic gas exchange. Physiol. Zool. 53:284-292. CAREY, C. 1979. Increase in conductance to water vapor during incubation in eggs of two avian species. J. Exp. Zool. 209:181-186. CAREY, C. 1983. Structure and function of avian eggs, p. 69-103. In R. F. Johnston [ed.], Current ornithology. Vol. 1. Plenum Press, New York. DRENT, R. H. 1970. Functional aspects of incubation in the Herring Gull. Behaviour Suppl. 17:1-132. HANKA, L. R., G. C. PACKARD, P. R. SOTHERLAND, T. L. TAIGEN, T. J. BOARDMAN, AND M. J. PACKARD. 1979. Ontogenetic changes in water-vapor conductance of eggs of Yellow-headed Blackbirds (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus). J. Exp. Zool. 210:183-188. RAHN, H., R. A. ACKERMAN, AND C. V. PAGANELLI. 1977. Humidity in the avian nest and egg water loss during incubation. Physiol. Zool. 50:269-283. RAHN, H., AND A. AR. 1974. The avian egg: incubation time and water loss. Condor 76:147-152. SIMKISS, K. 1975. Calcium and avian reproduction. Symp. Zool. Soc. Lond. 35:307-337. SOTHERLAND, P. R., G. C. PACKARD, AND T. L. TAIGEN. 1979. Permeability of magpie and blackbird eggshells to water vapor: variation among and within nests of a single population. Auk 96:192-195. SOTHERLAND, P. R., G. C. PACKARD, T. L. TAIGEN, AND T. J. BOARDMAN. 1980. An altitudinal cline in conductance of Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) eggs to water vapor. Auk 97:177-185. ZAR, J. H. 1974. Biostatistical analysis. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
Economic Double Taxation on Dividends in China and Its Countermeasure Research

A double taxation exists in the income tax in China's current classical system: business income tax on company profits and private income tax on stock interests. In the aspects of resource allocation efficiency, it has resulted in a series of problems such as distortions between company departments and non_company departments, between stock interest distributions and retained profits, and between bonds and stocks about financing means. In the aspects of tax burden fair, it has resulted in the unfair between companies and non-companies, does not show the vertical fair principle of revenue, either. To refer to foreign experience and combine the actualities, China should adopt the double tariff system to ease the double taxation on dividends in a short period of time; adopt the more idealistic imputation credit system in the long period of time.
Erosion characterization of resin-matrix ablation materials

Erosion properties of C/BaF, C/FB and C/PAA materials were analyzed by O2C2H2 erosion test. The results show that the mass loss rate of these ablation materials is consistent with the thermal properties of the matrix, and the coefficient of variation of the mass loss rate data is relatively low (7.1%≤Cv≤13.8%). The mass loss rate can be used to characterize erosion resistance of materials. However, the coefficient of variation of linear erosion rate data is relatively high (23.9%≤Cv≤232.5%)and the linear erosion rate of C/BaF and C/PAA materials below zero occurred, therefore the linear erosion rate is not fit to characterize ablation properties of these materials. The mass loss rate and the ablation factor can be used to characterize the ablative properties of these materials correctly.
Current technological state of radiation therapy for the treatment of lung cancer

The field of radiation therapy has come a long way since the discovery of the x-ray in 1895 by Wilhelm Rogentgen. In less than a year after its discovery, x-ray was used in medical applications. After over a century of usage and advancements, x-ray has become a staple of diagnostic and therapeutic medical applications. Likewise, radiation therapy has benefited from the advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic applications especially for the treatment of lung cancers. Due to the unique nature of the lung tumors (e.g., tumor movements), the treatment of lung cancer utilizes several technologies that facilitate treatment delivery in terms of treatment modality and imaging. This review provides a general overview of the radiation treatment machines and technologies used in the clinic for the treatment of lung cancer.
Duns Scotus on material substances and cognition: a discussion of two recent books

ABSTRACTIn a recent book, Thomas Ward advances an original interpretation of Duns Scotus’s hylomorphism, which stresses the ability of the parts of certain kinds of composites to exist independently from each other and from the composite to which they belong. Ward argues that the notion of essential order plays a key role in accounting for the unity of those parts in a composite. In another book, Richard Cross gives a comprehensive treatment of Duns Scotus’s theory of cognition, which proposes an interesting but controversial interpretation of Duns Scotus as introducing a distinction between object and content and defending the view that the contents of intellectual cognitive acts are determined only by their internal structure.
Chronic inflammatory bowel disease in childhood.

Definition Chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of childhood is generally defined as either ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn disease (CD). The inflammation of UC is restricted to the mucosal lining of the colon, with the colonic involvement beginning universally in the rectum and extending proximally continuously. Although proctitis, persistent isolated involvement of the rectum, is common in adults (40%), it is rare in children ( Recognition of these conditions by pediatricians is important because the peak incidence of IBD is in the second decade. Fewer than 5% of patients are diagnosed prior to age 5 years. In many children presenting with isolated colitis, the diagnosis of the chronic inflammation of IBD is established by biopsy before a clinical distinction between UC and CD can be established. These children carry the diagnosis of chronic nonspecific colitis or colitis type indeterminant. In our experience, the disease in approximately 50% of these children evolves within 5 years into more classic cases of UC or CD.
Nasal and sinus symptoms and chronic rhinosinusitis in a population-based sample

Background The objective of this study was to describe the first US-based study to use the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis (EPOS) criteria to study the prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in a general-population sample. Methods A CRS symptom questionnaire was mailed to 23 700 primary care patients from Geisinger Clinic, a health system serving 45 counties in Pennsylvania. CRS cases were categorized into four unique subgroups based on EPOS symptoms: obstruction and discharge with no smell loss or pain/pressure; smell loss without pain/pressure; facial pain and/or pressure without smell loss; and both smell loss and pain/pressure. All cases were required to have nasal obstruction or discharge. Logistic regression was used to evaluate potential factors associated with CRS subgroups. Results We found that 11.9% of patients met criteria for CRS. Prevalence peaked at 15.9% between ages 50 and 59 years and then dropped to 6.8% after age 69. The odds of CRS was higher among patients who were white, younger, smokers, had a history of Medical Assistance, and had other diseases. When CRS subgroups were modeled separately, these associations were no longer significant for some CRS subgroups. Comorbid diseases were most strongly associated with CRS cases who reported smell loss and facial pain and/or pressure and had the weakest associations with CRS cases who did not report these symptoms. Conclusions CRS is a highly prevalent and heterogeneous condition. Differences in risk factors and health outcomes across symptom subgroups may be indicative of differences in etiology that have implications for disease management.
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs for Managing Postoperative Endodontic Pain in Patients Who Present with Preoperative Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Abstract Introduction Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been commonly used to treat endodontic postoperative pain. The purpose of this study was to address the following Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome, Timing, Study design and setting question: in patients with preoperative pain who undergo initial orthograde endodontic treatment, what is the comparative efficacy of NSAIDS compared with non-narcotic analgesics or placebo in reducing postoperative pain and the incidence of adverse events. Methods Ovid MEDLINE (1946–December 15, 2015), the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2005–December 15, 2015), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (to December 15, 2015) were searched using included drugs, indications, and study designs as search terms. Hand searches in texts were also conducted. Two independent reviewers assessed eligibility for inclusion, extracted data, and assessed quality using the risk of bias tool. L'Abbe plots were used for qualitative review. Where applicable, meta-analysis was conducted on the pooled effect size (ES). Results Two thousand two hundred eighty-four studies were identified through the database searches; 405 full-text articles were assessed. Fifteen articles met the inclusion criteria; qualitative analysis revealed all studies had a moderate to high risk of bias. Ibuprofen was the most studied NSAID. The L'Abbe plots showed that NSAIDS are effective at relieving postoperative endodontic pain overall. Meta-analysis showed that ibuprofen 600 mg is more effective than placebo at 6 hours postoperatively (ES = 10.50, P = .037), and ibuprofen 600 mg + acetaminophen 1000 mg combination is more effective than placebo (ES = 34.89, P = .000) but not significantly different than ibuprofen (ES = 13.94, P = .317). Five studies reported patients experiencing adverse events such as drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, and emesis; 2 studies reported that patients experienced no adverse events. Conclusions A combination of ibuprofen 600 mg and acetaminophen 1000 mg is more effective than placebo but not significantly different than ibuprofen 600 mg at 6 hours postoperatively. Ibuprofen 600 mg is more effective than placebo at 6 hours postoperatively; however, there are insufficient data to recommend the most effective NSAID, dose amount, or dose interval for the relief of postoperative endodontic pain of longer duration in patients with preoperative pain.
Building More Effective Education Systems

The current focus on systemic reform in K-12 education in many countries around the globe began to develop in the early 2000s, in response to frustration with the low performance of some schools on the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and other international assessments, compared to those in high performing countries, and also in response to widening socioeconomic achievement gaps. Researchers have identified the lack of incentives and support systems as the main culprits, and systemic change as the solution. This chapter summarizes the literature on three systemic reform areas: market-based, accountability, and decentralization reforms. It reviews the constructs that ideally would be assessed, as well as their degree of coverage in the PISA 2015 trial. The chapter concludes by discussing some implications and directions for constructs in future PISA cycles.
Nonparametric composite outlier detection

Detection of the existence of data streams drawn from outlying distributions among data streams drawn from a typical distribution is investigated. It is assumed that the typical distribution is known and the outlying distribution is unknown. The generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) for this problem is constructed. With knowledge of the Kullback-Liebler divergence between the outlier and typical distributions, the GLRT is shown to be exponentially consistent (i.e, the error risk function decays exponentially fast). It is also shown that with knowledge of the Chernoff distance between the outlying and typical distributions, the same risk decay exponent as the parametric model can be achieved by using the GLRT. It is further shown that, without knowledge of the distance between the distributions, there does not exist an exponentially consistent test, although the GLRT with a diminishing threshold can still be consistent.
Clinical patient registry recruitment and retention: a survey of patients in two chronic disease registries

The collection of routine clinical data in the setting of research registries can serve an important role in understanding real world care. However, relatively little is known about the patient experience in registries, motivating us to survey patients enrolled in two chronic disease registries. We conducted similar surveys in two disease-based registries based at one academic medical center in the US. One group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had been enrolled in a registry, and we focused on retention factors. In a second group of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) recently enrolled or considering enrollment, we examined factors that would influence their enrollment and willingness to answer frequent questionnaires and give biospecimens. The surveys were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the two cohorts were compared using nonparametric and chi-square tests. We received 150 (50%) completed surveys from RA and 169 (63%) from IBD patients. Mean age of subjects was 62 years in RA and 43 in IBD with more women respondents with RA (83%) than IBD (62%). The two groups described very similar factors as the top three motivations for participation: desire to help others, desire to improve care of own disease, and ease of volunteering. Preferred methods of surveying included mail, e-mail, but telephone was not favored; age was an important correlate of this preference. Respondents preferred surveys either every 1–3 months (28.7% RA and 55.0% IBD) or every 4–6 months (50.7% RA and 29.0% IBD). They differed in the preference for payment for answering surveys with 68.0% with RA answering that no payment was necessary but only 36.1% with IBD felt similarly. Patients engaged in clinical registries demonstrate a high level of commitment to improve care and many report a willingness to answer questions relatively frequently.
Clinical risk factors alone are inadequate for predicting significant coronary artery disease

Abstract Objective We sought to derive and validate a model for identifying suspected ACS patients harboring undiagnosed significant coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods This was a secondary analysis of data from a randomized control trial (RCT). Patients randomized to the CTA arm of an RCT examining a CTA-based strategy for ruling-out acute coronary syndrome (ACS) constitute the derivation cohort, which was randomly divided into a training dataset (2/3, used for model derivation) and a test dataset (1/3, used for internal validation (IV)). ED patients from a different center receiving CTA to evaluate for suspected ACS constitute the external validation (EV) cohort. Primary outcome was CTA-assessed significant CAD (stenosis of ≥50% in a major coronary artery). Results In the derivation cohort, 11.2% (76/679) of subjects had CTA-assessed significant CAD, and in the EV cohort, 8.2% of subjects (87/1056) had CTA-assessed significant CAD. Age was the strongest predictor of significant CAD among the clinical risk factors examined. Predictor variables included in the derived logistic regression model were: age, sex, tobacco use, diabetes, and race. This model exhibited an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC AUC) of 0.72 (95% CI: 0.61–0.83) based on IV, and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.70, 0.82) based on EV. The derived random forest model based on clinical risk factors yielded improved but not sufficient discrimination of significant CAD (ROC AUC = 0.76 [95% CI: 0.67–0.85] based on IV). Coronary artery calcium score was a more accurate predictor of significant CAD than any combination of clinical risk factors (ROC AUC = 0.85 [95% CI: 0.76–0.94] based on IV; ROC AUC = 0.92 [95% CI: 0.88–0.95] based on EV). Conclusions Clinical risk factors, either individually or in combination, are insufficient for accurately identifying suspected ACS patients harboring undiagnosed significant coronary artery disease.
American Gastroenterological Association Institute Technical Review on the Role of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in the Management of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), which involves measurement of drug or active metabolite levels and anti-drug antibodies, is a promising strategy that can be used to optimize inflammatory bowel disease therapeutics. It is based on the premise that there is a relationship between drug exposure and outcomes, and that considerable inter-individual variability exists in how patients metabolize the drug (pharmacokinetics) and the magnitude and duration of response to therapy (pharmacodynamics). Therefore, the American Gastroenterological Association has prioritized clinical guidelines on the role of TDM in the management of inflammatory bowel disease. To inform these clinical guidelines, this technical review was developed in accordance with the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) framework for interventional and prognostic studies, and focused on the application of TDM for biologic therapy, specifically anti-tumor necrosis factor−α agents, and for thiopurines. Focused questions address the benefits and risks of a strategy of reactive TDM (in patients with active inflammatory bowel disease) to guide treatment changes compared with empiric treatment changes, and the benefits and risks of a strategy of routine proactive TDM (during routine clinical care in patients with quiescent disease) compared with no routine TDM. Additionally, the review addresses the benefits and risks of routine measurement of thiopurine methyltransferase enzyme activity or genotype before starting thiopurine therapy compared with empiric weight-based dosing and explores the performance of different trough drug concentrations for anti−tumor necrosis factor agents and thiopurines to inform clinical decision making when applying TDM in a reactive setting. Due to a paucity of data, this review does not address the role of TDM for more recently approved biologic agents, such as vedolizumab or ustekinumab.
Examination of discrepancies between subjective and objective memory with latent factors of the geriatric depression scale

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine whether multiple constructs of depressive symptoms explained discrepancies between subjective (SM) and objective memory (OM) in older adul...
Hypoglossal nerve stimulation for obstructive sleep apnoea in a patient with previous tongue laceration

Upper airway stimulation of the tongue using an implantable neurostimulator has recently been approved for select patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and intolerance to continuous positive airway pressure therapy. Effective implantation depends on the integrity of the hypoglossal nerve as well as the tongue musculature, notably the genioglossus. Prior trauma to either of these structures may be viewed as a relative contraindication to implantation. We describe a case of successful right hypoglossal nerve implantation in a patient with a history of left cardiac pacemaker placement and severe left penetrating tongue trauma with decreased mobility from contracture and deviation mimicking a hypoglossal nerve palsy. Preoperative and postoperative apnoea-hypopnoea index values were 52/hour and 5/hour, respectively. Prior soft tissue trauma to the tongue may not necessarily preclude surgical candidacy for upper airway stimulation in patients with OSA.
Treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with tumor antigen specific-targeted delivery of paclitaxel loaded PLGA nanoparticles

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) remains the most aggressive cancers with a 5-year survival below 10%. Systemic delivery of chemotherapy drugs has severe side effects in patients with PDA and does not significantly improve overall survival rate. It is highly desirable to advance the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs by targeting their delivery and increasing accumulation at the tumor site. MUC1 is a membrane-tethered glycoprotein that is aberrantly overexpressed in > 80% of PDA thus making it an attractive antigenic target. Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles (PLGA NPs) conjugated to a tumor specific MUC1 antibody, TAB004, was used as a nanocarrier for targeted delivery into human PDA cell lines in vitro and in PDA tumors in vivo. The PLGA NPs were loaded with fluorescent imaging agents, fluorescein diacetate (FDA) and Nile Red (NR) or isocyanine green (ICG) for in vitro and in vivo imaging respectively or with a chemotherapeutic drug, paclitaxel (PTX) for in vitro cytotoxicity assays. Confocal microscopy was used to visualize internalization of the nanocarrier in vitro in PDA cells with high and low MUC1 expression. The in vivo imaging system (IVIS) was used to visualize in vivo tumor targeting of the nanocarrier. MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) assay was used to determine in vitro cell survival of cells treated with PTX-loaded nanocarrier. One-sided t-test comparing treatment groups at each concentration and two-way ANOVAs comparing internalization of antibody and PLGA nanoparticles. In vitro, TAB004-conjugated ICG-nanocarriers were significantly better at internalizing in PDA cells than its non-conjugated counterpart. Similarly, TAB004-conjugated PTX-nanocarriers were significantly more cytotoxic in vitro against PDA cells than its non-conjugated counterpart. In vivo, TAB004-conjugated ICG-nanocarriers showed increased accumulation in the PDA tumor compared to the non-conjugated nanocarrier while sparing normal organs. The study provides promising data for future development of a novel MUC1-targeted nanocarrier for direct delivery of imaging agents or drugs into the tumor microenvironment.
Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium has three transketolase enzymes contributing to the pentose phosphate pathway.

The genus Salmonella is responsible for many illnesses in humans and other vertebrate animals. We report here that Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium harbors three transketolases that support the non-oxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway. BLAST analysis identified two genes, STM14_2885 and STM14_2886, that together encode a putative transketolase (TktC) with 46-47% similarity to the known TktA and TktB isoforms. Assessing the mRNA and protein expression for each of the three transketolases, we determined that all are expressed in WT cells and regulated to varying extents by the alternative sigma factor RpoS. Enzyme assays with lysates from WT and transketolase-knockout strains established that TktA is responsible for >88% of the transketolase activity in WT cells. We purified recombinant forms of each isoenzyme to assess the kinetics for canonical transketolase reactions. TktA and TktB had comparable values for Vmax (539-1362 μm NADH consumed/s), Km (80-739 μm), and catalytic efficiency (1.02 × 108-1.06 × 109 m-1/s) for each substrate tested. The recombinant form of TktC had lower Km values (23-120 μm), whereas the Vmax (7.8-16 μm NADH consumed/s) and catalytic efficiency (5.58 × 106 to 6.07 × 108 m-1/s) were 10-100-fold lower. Using a murine model of Salmonella infection, we showed that a strain lacking all three transketolases is avirulent in C57BL/6 mice. These data provide evidence that S Typhimurium possesses three transketolases that contribute to pathogenesis.
TetraTetris: A Study of Multi-User Touch-Based Interaction Using DiamondTouch.

The DiamondTouch table is a touch-sensitive input device that allows several users to interact with a program at the same time and do so using their hands. We describe our exploration of the capabilities and limitations of the DiamondTouch by focusing on TetraTetris, one of the first nontrivial applications written specifically for the DiamondTouch hardware. TetraTetris is a multi-player game, loosely based on the popular game Tetris, in which players use their hands to manipulate objects moving around on the table; it illustrates some of the table’s key advantages and drawbacks by comparison with conventional input hardware. In this paper we describe the DiamondTouch hardware, the rules of TetraTetris, the problems we encountered implementing it, and what TetraTetris can show us about the future of input devices like the table.
Pedagogy as Psychology: A View from within

It was a Kafkaesque-like experience. Coming from the pristine setting of a liberal arts college in the midwest, I was horrified to discover that this university-setting was an urban non-campus. All the buildings along Commonwealth Avenue looked the same, and I found their little numbers hidden behind pseudo-ivy growth. The elevator in the building could pass for a cargo-elevator, moving slowly and hesitantly up the floors. The fifth floor at 745 had a long corridor with two sets of indistinguishable doors, leading, as I soon was to find out, to little offices. Classes had not begun yet, and I had not decided with which courses to begin my graduate study in philosophy. Having found my assigned advisor, I knocked on his door and was invited to sit on an uncomfortable wooden chair. He asked me: “What courses are you interested in taking this semester?”
The design and complexity analysis of the light-up puzzle program: faculty poster

The purpose of this project was to use the McCabe IQ tool to analyze source code complexity of the Light-up Puzzle program. The McCabe IQ tool is software used in quality assurance for code analysis. It can allow people to determine if any parts of the source code are unreliable or unmaintainable without the user having to look at the source code. This can save both time and money as well as improve the quality of software code in businesses. Basically what the tool does is convert the source code into a graph, which it then uses to analyze the source code. The features of the tool that were used in this project are the Battlemap, System Complexity metrics, method flowgraphs, scatter diagrams, Halstead metrics, Class metrics, and Object-oriented metrics.
In-vitro and in-vivo action of cannabinoids

The discovery of endocannabinoids such as anandamide and the wide spread localization of cannabinoid receptors in the brain and peripheral tissues, suggests that the cannabinoid system represents a previously unrecognized ubiquitous net work in the nervous system, whose physiology and function is unfolding. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that some of the actions of anandamide are independent of a cannabinoid receptor mechanism. This was accomplished by the use of cannabinoid agonist and antagonist interaction in an in-vitro and in-vivo test systems. In-vitro, we used Xenopus laevis oocytes expression system and two-voltage clamp technique in combination with differential display polymerase chain reaction to determine whether the differential display of genes following treatment with anandamide may be linked to AMPA glutamate receptor. The differential expression of genes in vivo after the sub-acute administration of anandamide could not be directly linked with the AMPA glutamate receptor. In the voltage clamp studies we investigated the effects of anandamide on recombinant AMPA GluR3 subunit currents generated by kainic acid in oocytes expressing the AMPA glutamate receptor. In the in-vitro studies, we present evidence that anandamide inhibited the kainate activated currents in oocytes expressing AMPA glutamate receptor involves cAMP transduction via a cannabinoid receptor independent mechanism. In the in-vivo studies, SR141716A, the CB1 antagonist, induced anxiolysis, that was dependent on the mouse strain used in the anxiety model and blocked the anxiogenic effects of anandamide or methanandamide whereas SR141716A had no effect on the anandamide inhibition of kainate activated currents in-vitro.
DISSOLUTION KINETICS OF POLYMERS: EFFECT OF RESIDUAL SOLVENT CONTENT

A study on the effect of residual solvent content on the dissolution rate of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), cresol-formaldehyde resin (Novolac), resist (a mixture of Novolac resin and adiazo-photo-active compound, (PAC)), has shown the following: (1) the dependence of the dissolution rate on the residual solvent content is very strong and that the dissolution rate - solvent content relationship can be interpreted in terms of the free volume theory; (2) the addition of the PAC to the Novolac resin decreases the residual solvent content of the resists; and, (3) very rapid drying of P(MMA) at 160°C, results in very fast dissolution rate. It takes more than 30 min of annealing to reduce the “extra free volume” created by the rapid loss of solvent at 160°C. It is known that the diffusion rate of the solvent into polymeric matrices is very strongly dependent on the free volume and/or the solvent content of the polymer. This is a consequence of the increased mobility of the solvent molecule in the polymer matrix with free volume and solvent concentration. These results help support the hypothesis that the dissolution rate of polymers like PMMA and Novolac resins is governed by the rate of solvent diffusion into a well-annealed and of very low residual solvent content; e.g., 4%< polymer matrix. These results also explain the reduction of the solubility rate of Novolac resin with the addition of the PAC. They are also consistent with the hypothesis that the high dissolution rate of X-ray and e-beam exposed P(MMA) is due to the extra free volume created by the evolution of gaseous products and strain in the P(MMA) matrix created by irradiation.
Peirce and Wittgenstein’s on Certainty

In On Certainty Wittgenstein remarked “So I am trying to say something that sounds like pragmatism” (Wittgenstein 1969:422).1 It is rather difficult to determine precisely what Wittgenstein was trying to say that sounds like pragmatism. It is even more difficult to interpret the remark that immediately follows, “Here I am being thwarted by a kind of Weltanschauung” No matter what Weltanschauung was thwarting him, however, Wittgenstein did say several things in On Certainty that sound like pragmatism. He especially said several things that sound like Peirce’s pragmaticism. (My copy of On Certainty is littered with marginal “Cf. CSP” notes). This paper will point out some of the Peircean aspects of Wittgenstein’s epistemology, exploring the similarities and differences. It will be clear that Wittgenstein was not a pragmaticist, but, coming from a radically different perspective, he did reach several conclusions similar to those of Peirce. I will not be claiming that Wittgenstein was directly influenced by Peirce, nor will I be looking for evidence of historical influence. Any awareness Wittgenstein had of Peirce was probably second hand, and the pragmatism he talked of was probably a very generic variety.2
Single neurons in the human entorhinal cortex remap to distinguish individual spatial memories

How does the brain represent and differentiate memories that share a common context, such as separate experiences encoded in one environment? To answer this question, we recorded single neurons in the medial temporal lobe (MTL) of neurosurgical patients during cued recall of object-location memories in a virtual-reality environment. We observed cells that remapped their spatial firing fields to the location subjects were instructed to remember, reflecting a putative memory trace driven by the specific memory that was cued for retrieval on a trial. In addition to binding memories to locations in this way, the activity of these "trace cells" in entorhinal cortex was predictive of specific cued memories whether subjects were moving through the remembered location or were stationary at the start of the track. The influence of cued memory retrieval on the activity of entorhinal trace cells suggests their importance in representing and differentiating past experiences.
Ag+-Induced Shape and Composition Evolution of Covellite CuS Nanoplatelets To Produce Plate–Satellite and Biconcave−Particle Heterostructures

The creation of novel metal sulfide nanostructures and heterostructures by incorporating heterocations into template copper sulfide nanocrystals (NCs) is an important and intriguing area of colloidal synthesis. In contrast with typical incorporation using divalent, trivalent, and tetravalent cations, the mechanism for incorporation of monovalent Ag+ into copper sulfide NCs is less clear. In this work, we prepared new types of heterostructures by incorporating Ag+ into covellite CuS nanoplatelets (NPls). The incorporation process depended strongly on the initial Ag+ concentration. When a relatively small amount of Ag+ was provided (0.1 mmol, roughly 20% of the Cu present in the template NPls), CuS–Ag2S plate–satellite heterostructures were produced by cation exchange (CE) reactions occurring at the corners of the template hexagonal NPls. In contrast, biconcave–particle Ag2S–Ag heterostructures were obtained via the nanoscale Kirkendall effect when starting with 0.5 mmol of Ag+. Our observations indicate th...
Benchmarking Heterogeneous HPC Systems Including Reconfigurable Fabrics: Community Aspirations for Ideal Comparisons

We describe a progressive philosophy to help benchmark systems and designs in the High Performance Computing (HPC) domain. These systems now include heterogeneous multi-node systems where nodes can include combinations of CPUs, GPUs, FPGAs, and other emerging computing devices. Because of the heterogeneous nature of these systems, benchmarking and comparison of systems is an ever increasingly complex process. Currently, there is no benchmark or other process that results good comparisons. We introduce a set of tenets that will allow us to compare one system to another and to include tool innovations. These tenets rely on our research community providing what we call a system context and an instance of a specific design (benchmark). A better benchmarking process will make our future research stronger scientifically, and will allow us to improve future systems, their accompanying compilation/synthesis tools, and the designs that execute on these systems. To achieve this, we survey existing benchmarks and their accompanying philosophies, and we describe our conceived ideal benchmarking scenario with a set of tenets, some definitions, a methodology, and a discussion that we hope will guide our research community forward.
Teaching Research Basics to All Residents

The authors present results of 10 years of experience in developing and teaching a seminar on how to think critically and do research. This seminar has been taught at three different institutions by the authors and adapted at other institutions as well. Authors present and discuss short-term outcome measures based on an objective test and self-assessment survey as well as some more long-term findings. They also address the value and feasibility of adapting this course to other institutions and other medical specialties.
5-HT2A/B receptor expression in the phrenic motor nucleus in a rat model of ALS (SOD1G93A).

Despite respiratory motor neuron death, ventilation is preserved in SOD1G93A rats. Compensatory respiratory plasticity may counterbalance the loss of these neurons. Phrenic long-term facilitation (pLTF; a form of respiratory plasticity) in naive rats is 5-HT2 and NADPH oxidase-dependent. Furthermore, 5-HT2A, not 5-HT2B, receptor-induced phrenic motor facilitation is NADPH oxidase-independent in naive rats. pLTF is NADPH oxidase-dependent in pre-symptomatic, but not end-stage, SOD1G93A rats. Here, we hypothesized that in the putative phrenic motor nucleus (PMN) of SOD1G93A rats vs. wild-type littermates: 1) pre-symptomatic rats would have greater 5-HT2B receptor expression that decreases at end-stage; and 2) 5-HT2A receptor expression would increase from pre-symptomatic to end-stage. Putative PMN 5-HT2A receptor expression was reduced when comparing across (but not within) pre-symptomatic vs. end-stage groups (p < 0.05). In contrast, putative PMN 5-HT2B receptor expression was increased when comparing across pre-symptomatic vs. end-stage groups, and within end-stage groups (p < 0.05). These data suggest a potential role for 5-HT2 receptors in pLTF and breathing in SOD1G93A rats.
The infinite desire for growth: by Daniel Cohen, Princeton, NJ, Princeton University Press, 2018, 165 pp., US$24.95 (hardback), ISBN-13: 978-0691172538

The Infinite Desire for Growth, by noted French economist Daniel Cohen, is an easy-to-read romp through economic history to consider a current reality: economic growth no longer promises a rising t...
Epidemiologic factors in patients with advanced head and neck cancer treated with radiation therapy.

Background Approximately 50% of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) initially were seen with advanced disease. We aimed to evaluate the association of epidemiologic factors with advanced HNC at diagnosis. Methods The OraRad multicenter prospective cohort study enrolled HNC patients receiving curative-intent radiation therapy. Factors assessed for association with advanced HNC presentation at diagnosis included demographics, social and medical history, cancer characteristics, human papilloma virus (HPV) status, and dental disease measures. Results We enrolled 572 participants; 77% male and mean (SD) age of 61.7 (11.2) years. Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (88% HPV-related) were seen with smaller tumors, but more frequent nodal involvement. Private medical insurance and no Medicaid were associated with smaller tumors. A higher dental disease burden was associated with larger tumors. Conclusions Insurance status, cancer type/location, and dental disease are associated with advanced HNC and may represent potentially modifiable factors or factors to be considered in the screening process of new lesions.
Ion irradiation induced phase transformation in gold nanocrystalline films.

Gold is a noble metal typically stable as a solid in a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure under ambient conditions; however, under particular circumstances aberrant allotropes have been synthesized. In this work, we document the phase transformation of 25 nm thick nanocrystalline (NC) free-standing gold thin-film via in situ ion irradiation studied using atomic-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Utilizing precession electron diffraction (PED) techniques, crystallographic orientation and the radiation-induced relative strains were measured and furthermore used to determine that a combination of surface and radiation-induced strains lead to an FCC to hexagonal close packed (HCP) crystallographic phase transformation upon a 10 dpa radiation dose of Au4+ ions. Contrary to previous studies, HCP phase in nanostructures of gold was stabilized and did not transform back to FCC due to a combination of size effects and defects imparted by damage cascades.
Outcomes following soft-tissue reconstruction for traumatic lower extremity defects at an orthoplastic limb salvage center: The need for Lower Extremity Guidelines for Salvage (L.E.G.S.)

Abstract Introduction Approximately 160–180,000 adults suffer limb loss annually, often due to trauma. The Penn Orthoplastic Limb Salvage Center enables concerted orthopedic/plastic (orthoplastic) surgery care and microvascular expertise for optimal outcomes. The authors review their experience and propose guidelines to facilitate early transfer for lower extremity salvage. Methods A review (2002–2019) was performed of patients who underwent free-flap reconstruction (as a proxy for severity) for lower extremity traumatic injuries. Demographics, risk factors, imaging, operative details, and perioperative outcomes were analyzed. Further analyses were performed comparing patients transferred to our limb salvage center - transfers - and those admitted to our institution first following their trauma – direct admits. Results 178 patients (62.4% transfers, 37.6% direct admits) met inclusion criteria. Osteomyelitis was higher among transfers (46.1% vs. 22%, p = 0.006). There was a greater delay in soft tissue coverage in transferred patients (p = 0.016). On multivariate analysis, flap within 30 days was protective of osteomyelitis (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.233, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.085–0.639). Limb salvage rates were 94% and 91.8% for the direct admits and transferred patients, respectively (p = 0.584), at median follow-up of 941.5 days. Overall, full weight-bearing status was achieved in 77% of patients, with no difference between groups (p = 0.163). Conclusion Despite microvascular advances, delay in referral for salvage contributes to unnecessary patient morbidity. Microsurgery/flap success is independent of timing, likely attributable to specialized care at a limb salvage center. Similar to American Burn Association guidelines for transferring burn injuries to specialized centers, the authors propose the Lower Extremity Guide for Salvage (L.E.G.S.).
Improving adult coping with social isolation during COVID-19 in the community through nurse-led patient-centered telehealth teaching and listening interventions.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to social isolation which both threatens mental health and has been shown to increase the risk for early death by 50%, and to contribute to increased rates of heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and inflammation. LOCAL PROBLEM: No identified special programs to address loneliness related to social isolation were in place. This project aimed to improve adult coping with COVID-19 in the community to 80% over 8 weeks. METHODS: Three interventions were implemented concurrently and studied through Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles. Each cycle started with a test of change, followed by data collection and analysis using run charts, aggregate data tables, and field notes. This analysis guided the design of new tests of change for each intervention in the following cycle. Iterative changes were introduced through four cycles over 8th weeks. INTERVENTIONS: These included a data-gathering survey, a telehealth teach-back tool and a telehealth listening tool. All interventions were implemented remotely through telehealth contacts. RESULTS: The project engaged 44 participants and successfully addressed loneliness by creating a social connection with 100% of participants and 82% of participants learned something new. CONCLUSION: Telehealth interventions hardwired to be patient-centered can provide isolated populations with meaningful social contact.
Headache and Vaso-occlusive Crisis: A Young Adult with a More Common Neonatal Diagnosis

Case Report: An 18 year old AA female with a history of sickle cell anemia complicated by avascular necrosis of the hips, acute chest syndrome, and migraine headache who presented with 24 hours of worsening lower back pain and constant frontal headache that radiated to the crown. She denied phono/photophobia, nausea/vomiting. She was alert and her vitals were within normal range. Exam revealed a normocephalic head with cornrow braids which were placed 36 hours prior to hospitalization. Neurological exam was intact and there was pain on palpation of lower back. …
Controlling Technical Debt Remediation in Outsourced Enterprise Systems Maintenance: An Empirical Analysis

Technical debt refers to maintenance obligations that stem from violations of established standards during the development and subsequent maintenance of enterprise systems. Technical debt remediati...
Framing, Context, and the Misperception of Black-White Wealth Inequality

In one large-scale experiment using U.S. respondents on Mechanical Turk (N = 2,899), we studied how subtle differences in framing and context impacted estimates of the Black–White wealth gap. Acros...
Neuraxial to general anesthesia conversion has equitable intraoperative and improved post-operative outcomes compared to general anesthesia in cesarean hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum (PAS).

Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS) represents a series of placental disorders with an estimated incidence of 1:1000. Delivery and subsequent cesarean hysterectomy for PAS is associated with significan...