cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scope of Field: On Defining Big Data Analytics for Field Development in Research & Curricular Design

Big data increasingly drives business models, marketing methods, regulatory techniques, novel intrusion methods and national security practices. Is big data analytics a “real discipline?” If so, it is appropriate to design an ontology, essentially a comprehensive schema acknowledging sub-topics of concern and their relationships. Taxonomies are the foundation for inspiring future research and designing curricula by identifying issues, themes and inevitable gaps. Technical disciplines are primary drivers defining current practice and inspiring innovation. However, technologists devote scant attention to public policy ramifications or predictable regulatory counter-measures. Big data is the primary raw material/feedstock to machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). AI algorithms are generally opaque, black box decision-makers operating outside traditional democratic transparency. Further, Intellectual property (IP) is under-researched in metering how big data flows through the information supply chain. Big data analytics lie at the heart of financial technology (FinTech) and regulatory technologies (RegTech). Most technical innovations cause regulatory lag (RegLag) evidenced by delayed and reactionary public policy response: (i) phenomena discovery, (ii) theorizing, (iii) interpretation of control mechanism efficacy, and (iv) deployment of adjustments to rights, duties and opportunities. This paper reviews authoritative sources enabling synthesis of big data experience and predictions of future scholarly public policy research. Structural implications emerge for curricula design in public policy incidents of data science, big data analytics, AI and machine learning.
An Unusual Case of Blastomycosis and Severe Lung Necrosis in a Hmong Woman With Preexisting Liver Cirrhosis

Predisposing factors that lead to blastomycosis remain unknown, although like other fungal infections, blastomycosis is an opportunistic infection. Here, we report on an unusual presentation in a Hmong woman with preexisting liver disease. This case highlights genetic and medical factors that may increase susceptibility to blastomycosis.
Association of Performance Status With Survival in Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Pembrolizumab Monotherapy.

Importance Despite approximately 40% of patients having Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) scores of at least 2 in the real world, most landmark clinical trials that led to the use of pembrolizumab as standard of care in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) excluded this group. Objective To evaluate whether an ECOG PS score of at least 2 at the start of therapy is associated with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in advanced NSCLC treated with pembrolizumab monotherapy. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study included all consecutive patients with advanced NSCLC who underwent treatment with palliative pembrolizumab monotherapy from February 2016 to October 2019 at a single academic cancer center, with data censoring on January 15, 2020. Exposures ECOG PS score at start of therapy, with 0 and 1 indicating fully active or restricted in strenuous activity and scores of 2 and higher indicating increasing disability. Main Outcomes and Measures PFS and OS, measured from initiation of pembrolizumab monotherapy. Results Of 74 patients (median [range] age, 68.5 [33-87] years; 36 [48.7%] women; 53 [71.6%] White individuals) with median follow-up of 19.5 (95% CI, 13.4-27.8) months, 45 (60.8%) had an ECOG PS of 0 or 1, while 29 (39.2%) had an ECOG PS of at least 2. There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics, except in age. Compared with patients with PS scores of 0 or 1, those with PS scores of at least 2 had significantly lower disease control rates (38 [88.4%] vs 15 [53.6%]; P = .002), shorter median PFS (7.9 [95% CI, 4.6-15.4] months vs 2.3 [95% CI, 1.8-4.8] months; P = .004), and shorter median OS (23.2 [14.0 vs 35.7] months vs 4.1 [95% CI, 2.1-6.9] months; P < .001). Among those potentially eligible for subsequent cancer-directed therapy beyond pembrolizumab monotherapy, patients in the group with PS scores of at least 2 were less likely to receive it than those with PS scores of 0 or 1 (2 [8.3%] vs 14 [45.2%]; P = .003). Multivariable adjustment for baseline characteristics confirmed ECOG PS of at least 2 as an independent risk factor for worse PFS (HR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.09-3.74; P = .03) and worse OS (HR, 2.87; 95% CI, 1.40-5.89; P = .004). Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study, having an ECOG PS score of at least 2 was associated with poorer prognosis for treatment of advanced NSCLC with palliative pembrolizumab monotherapy. Further prospective studies are needed to evaluate more objective and consistent measures of functional status to facilitate identification of patients with borderline performance status who may achieve durable clinical benefit from treatment with pembrolizumab monotherapy.
An Experiential Model for Cultivating Cultural Humility and Embodying Antiracist Action in and Outside the Social Work Classroom

Social Workers in academia may enjoy seemingly endless discussions and debates on ever-evolving “diversity concepts” including privilege, oppression, microaggressions, and white supremacy culture, but students and would-be allies are often stymied, if not altogether lost by the enormity of overcoming injustice. The 7E model for Cultural Humility and Antioppressive Practice provides specific and creative opportunities for personal and systemic change offering fledgling antiracists both structure and freedom on their unique paths to activism and allyship in keeping with their own individual, intersectional identities and bio-psycho-social development. The seven experiences discussed in the model (exposure, engaging, examining, evaluating enacting, educating, and evolving) are defined and explained. Teaching tools are provided.
Interleukin-3 Production and Action in Tumor-Bearing Hosts

Examination of the differentiation pathway leading to clonal expansion of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) has been approached by many methods (Cantor and Boyse, 1975; Gillis et al., 1979; Reinherz et al., 1980). Detection of soluble factors that provide proliferative signals has afforded a new tool for dissecting this pathway. The proposed sequential cascade model, resulting in CTL maturation, begins with the interaction of macrophage (Mφ)-derived interleukin-1 (IL-1) with antigen- or mitogen-primed helper T (Th) cells (Farrar et al., 1980). Th cells then produce both IL-2 (Hancock et al., 1981) and IL-3 (Ihle et al., 1981a). IL-2 stimulates CTL precursor proliferation and immune interferon production which leads to the production of specific, mature CTL (Farrar et al., 1981).
Polar coding for the broadcast channel with confidential messages

We develop a low-complexity and secrecy capacity achieving polar coding scheme for the discrete memoryless wiretap channel. Our scheme extends previous work by using a nearly optimal amount of uniform randomness in the stochastic encoder, and avoiding assumptions regarding the symmetry or degraded nature of the channels. The price paid for these extensions is that the encoder and decoder are required to share a secret seed of negligible size. We also highlight a close conceptual connection between the proposed polar coding scheme and a random binning proof of the secrecy capacity.
Comunicación intergeneracional entre extraños y entre miembros de la familia

This paper reviews research examining intergenerational cornmunication in two distinct areas. First, considerable research has examined communication betwee...
Randomized prospective crossover study of interstim lead wire placement with curved versus straight stylet.

Aims To assess whether InterStim lead wire placement with the curved stylet achieves motor response at lower amplitudes compared to straight stylet use. Methods This was a prospective, randomized, crossover study of patients scheduled for InterStim lead wire placement. All patients underwent lead wire testing with both the curved and straight stylets. Patients were randomized to determine stylet order, and then crossed-over to the alternate. Intra-operatively, the amplitude achieving motor response at each electrode was recorded. The stylet with lowest overall amplitudes was used for final placement. Primary outcome measure was amplitude requirement in the two deepest (0 and 1) electrodes. Secondary outcomes included amplitudes at the number 2 and 3 electrodes, combined amplitudes, stylet order, and adverse outcomes. Results Forty-two patients were enrolled, 40 of whom were included in the final analysis. Mean age was 69 years (SD = 12.8) and mean BMI 27 (SD = 5.6). Indications for placement included: urge urinary incontinence (N = 26), urge/frequency (N = 25), non-obstructive urinary retention (N = 5), and fecal incontinence (N = 10). There were no significant differences between randomized groups. Regardless of order, the curved stylet achieved a motor response at lower amplitudes in the deepest electrodes (P < 0.001). Combined amplitudes of all electrodes were also significantly lower with the curved stylet (P < 0.001). Subsequently, 88% underwent final “optimal” placement with curved stylet (N = 35). Conclusions The curved stylet for InterStim lead wire placement consistently achieved motor response at lower amplitudes. A brief intra-operative exchange of stylets represents a minor procedural alteration that could maximize Implantable Pulse Generator battery life and facilitate programming. Neurourol. Urodynam. 33:488–492, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Family Dinner Interaction

This article provides an overview of a body of research that attends specifically to the analysis of talk at the family dinner table. While studies differ in some ways, they generally share a similar set of goals, which include documenting how children are socialized through dinnertime talk. For these research studies, how children are socialized through talk in turn provides a view of how family culture and culture in general are constructed. The article first considers one main strand of research, which uses a discourse-pragmatic approach to examine families from different, but often related cultural backgrounds. The article then discusses another main focus of research, which analyzes practices of and socialization into storytelling. Finally, the article considers studies that have other focal topics, including accounts and accountability, negotiations about food and taste, and power and gender roles in the family. Keywords: Children; dinnertime; family communication; language and social interaction; language socialization
Stochastic PDEs: domain formation in dynamic transitions

Spatiotemporal evolution in the real Ginzburg-Landau equation is studied with space-time noise and a slowly increasing critical parameter. Analytical estimates for the characteristic size of the domains formed in a slow sweep through the critical point agree with the results of finite difference solution of the stochastic PDEs.
Assay of Aspartate Aminotransferase Activity: Effects of Serum and Serum Proteins on Oxalacetate Decarboxylation and Dialysis

Effects of serum and protein on assays measuring aspartate aminotransferase (L-aspartate:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.1) were examined. Increasing amounts of normal human serum or human serum albumin in samples with fixed amounts of purified enzyme decrease absorbance values and thus distort the results obtained in an assay in which diazonium-salt chromogenic reagent is used. Serum also directly accelerates disappearance of oxalacetate from an incubation medium similar to that of the enzyme assay studied. Protein accelerates spontaneous decarboxylation of oxalacetate to pyruvate, preventing its quantitation in assays specific for oxalacetate. Primary amine groups of protein are evidently involved, because acylated albumin does not accelerate decarboxylation. This effect is not attributable to metal ions in serum and is not significant in procedures involving use of the less specific dinitrophenylhydrazine, which measure the decarboxylation product, pyruvate. Continuous kinetic assays of aspartate aminotransferase activity, in which oxalacetate is not allowed to accumulate, are unaffected by protein concentration. Fivefold dilution of patients’ sera with physiological saline results in activities that are artifactually high by 56% in affected assays. Varying oxalacetate decarboxylation is also a source of error in the estimation of malate dehydrogenase (L-malate:NAD oxidoreductase; EC 1.1.1.37) activity in body fluids. Protein increases the values obtained by automated procedures requiring dialysis by increasing the amount of oxalacetate diffusing into the chromogenic flow stream. A solution of albumin, about 6 g/dl, is suggested as a dilution fluid for use with the affected assays.
Care of the newborn with ichthyosis

Mendelian disorders of cornification (ichthyosis; MeDOC) often present in the neonatal period with little warning to providers or parents. This report reviews the majority of ichthyoses with congenital findings. The neonatal presentation of many MeDOC often differs from the later phenotype because of the changes in the skin that occur with transition from an intrauterine to extrauterine environment. While differentiation of ichthyosis subtypes in the neonatal period is difficult, there are certain phenotypic groups within which these neonates fall, recognition of which can guide initial work up and treatment. For this report, these are categorized as: exuberant vernix; collodion baby/harlequin ichthyosis (HI); ichthyosiform erythroderma; blistering; and normal skin/xerosis phenotypes.
Crisis Management Competencies: The Case of Emergency Managers in the USA.

Abstract This article seeks to clarify what competencies are needed in the response phase of true crises, and to make important distinctions among related but distinct concepts which are often blurred. That is, to what extent is crisis management, in which there is some degree of systems failure, related to emergency management, change management, and transformational leadership? How are these distinctions illustrated at a competency level? The findings indicate that senior emergency managers in administrative leadership positions do not abandon emergency management practices, but rather adapt them selectively. Change management is important, but it must be targeted and time sensitive. Crises are no time to reorganize adequately operating response systems, much less try to implement wholesale organizational changes. Finally, while some of the commonly associated features of transformational leadership do apply, such as self-confidence and decisiveness, others are conspicuously deemphasized, such as the ne...
Fungal biology reaps the benefit of genomics.

Earlier this year more than 700 fungal biologists from around the world, studying everything from yeast to saprophytes, pathogens, and endophytes, made their biennial spring pilgrimage to California for the 23rd Fungal Genetics Conference, where the breadth of fungal biology, evolution, pathogenesis, and reproduction was discussed. Research presented at this year's conference generated a level of energy and excitement not seen in recent memory, stemming from the explosion in the number of fungal genomes with full or partial sequence coverage since the previous meeting in 2003. This avalanche of genome sequence data has drastically changed the landscape of fungal research, and in many respects provides future investigations with a clearer path paved with rich datasets, extensive genetic resources, and robust technologies. A few of the scientific highlights of the meeting are described here, and abstracts for all presentations and posters can be found online at the Fungal Genetics Stock Center website http://www.fgsc.net.
CO oxidation over Pd and Cu catalysts. IV, Prereduced Al2O3-supported copper

Abstract A study of the kinetics for CO oxidation over supported, prereduced Cu crystallites showed that it is close to first order in CO and near zero order in O2 at temperatures around 400 K. In situ IR measurements under reaction conditions revealed a clear first-order dependence on chemisorbed CO and an absence of activity when no adsorbed CO was detected; thus an Eley-Rideal mechanism is eliminated and a Langmuir-Hinshelwood surface reaction between adsorbed CO molecules and chemisorbed oxygen is strongly supported. These Cu/Al2O3 catalysts were more active than Pd/Al2O3 catalysts, and the average turnover frequency of 0.016 s−1 at 400 K and 26 Torr CO was about four times higher than the average value on Pd. An invariant IR band at 2118 cm−1 for CO was very near that of 2115 cm−1 reported for CO adsorbed on an oxidized Cu(111) surface and therefore was consistent with the near-saturation oxygen coverage indicated from the kinetic behavior. Analysis of the IR spectra at various temperatures allowed a heat of adsorption of 7.2 kcal/mol to be determined under reaction conditions. An activation energy of 22–27 kcal/mol was estimated for the rate-determining step, i.e., the surface reaction, which is somewhat higher than that reported for adsorbed CO and submonolayer coverages of oxygen on Cu single crystals.
Multiple Skin-Colored Papules With Diffuse Sclerosis

Aman inhis60spresentedwitha2-yearhistoryofprogressive skin tighteningandtheformationofmultipleasymptomaticpapulessymmetrically distributed on the extremities, face, andneck. He also developed mild dysphagia, intermittent voice hoarseness, and difficultyclosinghismouth,withdroolingwhileeating.Hereporteda9.1-kg weight loss owing to difficulty eating during the past year. Physicalexaminationrevealeddiffusehardeningof theskinwith multiple 1to 3-mm white to skin-colored papules on the dorsal aspectof thehands (Figure, A), arms, knees, posterior aspectof the neck, and posterior auricular area (Figure, B). Therewas decreased ability to pinch the skin on the forearms, and the oral aperture was slightly decreased at 3 cm. A 5-mm skin punch biopsy was performed on the right forearm for evaluation (Figure, C). What is your diagnosis?
THE NEUROLOGICAL COMPLICATIONS OF CARDIAC TRANSPLANTATION

Review of the neurological complications encountered in 83 patients who received cardiac homografts over a seven-year period leads to the following conclusions: (1) Neurological disorders are common in transplant recipients, occurring in over 50 per cent of patients. (2) Infection was the single most frequent cause of the neurological dysfunction, being responsible for one-third of all CNS complications. (3) The infective organisms were typically those considered to be usually of low pathogenicity: fungi, viruses, protozoa and an uncommon bacterial strain. (4) Other clinical neurological syndromes were related to vascular lesions, often apparently from cerebral ischaemia or infarction occurring during the surgical procedure, metabolic encephalopathies, cerebral microglioma, acute psychotic episodes and back pain from vertebral compression fractures. (5) The infectious complications and probably the development of neoplasms de novo, are related to immunosuppressive therapy which impairs virtually all host defence mechanisms and alters the nature of the host's response to infective agents or other foreign antigens. (6) Because neurological symptoms and signs were usually those of behavioural changes or deterioration in intellectual performance, the neurological examination was often of little value in diagnosing the nature or even the anatomical site of the neuropathological process. (7) The possibility of an infectious origin of the neurological manifestations must be aggressively pursued even in the absence of fever and a significantly abnormal spinal fluid examination. The diagnostic error made most frequently was to ascribe neurological symptoms erroneously to metabolic disturbances or to "intensive care unit psychosis" when they were in fact due to unrecognized CNS infection. (8) Maintenance of mean cardiopulmonary bypass pressures above 70 mmHg, particularly in patients with known arteriosclerosis, may reduce operative morbidity. (9) Though increased diagnostic accuracy is possible with routine use of a variety of radiological and laboratory techniques, two further requirements probably must be met before a significant reduction in the frequency of neurological complications will occur: the advent of greater immunospecificity in suppressing rejection of the grafted organ while preserving defences against infection; and a more effective armamentarium of antiviral and antifungal drugs.
Sources of intraspecific variation in the hostplant seeking behavior of Colias butterflies

Egg-laying females of the legume-feeding butterfly Colias philodice eriphyle were observed within a high-altitude study site during 1977 and 1978. Average oviposition selectivity showed two patterns of seasonal variation. First, second-brood females laid eggs more frequently after alighting upon hostplants than did first-brood females in both years. Second, a consistent decline in post-alighting oviposition probability near the end of the second brood corresponded with a dramatic decrease in the water content of hostplant foliage near the end of the dry summer season. In addition to seasonal variation in oviposition behavior, individual females landed and oviposited upon widely varying sets of legume hostplant species. By sampling hostplant abundances along the flightpaths of observed females, we show that individuals varied in their tendency to land upon different hostplants. Females tended to specialize upon one or two species, at least in the short term, and the pattern of oligophagy for the population as a whole is partly generated by variation in the host-seeking behavior of individual females.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Triazol-4-ylphenyl-Bearing Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors as Anticancer Agents

Our triazole-based histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACI), octanedioic acid hydroxyamide[3-(1-phenyl-1H-[1,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenyl]amide (4a), suppresses pancreatic cancer cell growth in vitro with the lowest IC(50) value of 20 nM against MiaPaca-2 cell. In this study, we continued our efforts to develop triazol-4-ylphenyl bearing hydroxamate analogues by embellishing the terminal phenyl ring of 4a with different substituents. The isoform inhibitory profile of these hydroxamate analogues was similar to those of 4a. All of these triazol-4-ylphenyl bearing hydroxamates are pan-HDACIs like SAHA. Moreover, compounds 4h and 11a were found to be very effective inhibitors of cancer cell growth in the HupT3 (IC(50) = 50 nM) and MiaPaca-2 (IC(50) = 40 nM) cancer cell lines, respectively. Compound 4a was found to reactivate the expression of CDK inhibitor proteins and to suppress pancreatic cancer cell growth in vivo. Taken together, these data further support the value of the triazol-4-ylphenyl bearing hydroxamates in identifying potential pancreatic cancer therapies.
Pathways and polarities of synaptic interactions in the inner retina of the mudpuppy: II. Insight revealed by an analysis of latency and threshold.

Intracellular recording experiments in the mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) have demonstrated that depolarizing bipolar show a one-half to one log unit higher threshold to light stimuli and a longer latency when compared to hyperpolarizing bipolars. This threshold difference cannot be ascribed to differences in rod and cone connections. Experimentally it was possible to use these differences to evaluate postbipolar cell connections; such experiments support the idea that some neurons are connected to one or the other bipolar cell type, while on-off cells receive input from both.
Vanadium complexes and porphyrins in asphaltene, 2. The nature of highly aromatic substituted porphins and their vanadyl chelates

Abstract Previous work has pointed out the existence of porphyrins of higher aromaticity in petroleum asphaltenes. This investigation is to further explore this finding and especially to examine some model porphyrins with highly aromatic substituents and their metallo chelates. Ten meso-tetraaryl-porphins and their vanadyl chelates were synthesized and their properties were studied by a number of spectral methods such as U.V.-visible, infrared, N.M.R., mass and E.S.R. Their characterizations are reported here for the first time.
Pegasus, a small terminal inverted repeat transposable element found in the white gene of Anopheles gambiae.

Pegasus, a novel transposable element, was discovered as a length polymorphism in the white gene of Anopheles gambiae. Sequence analysis revealed that this 535 bp element was flanked by 8 bp target site duplications and 8 bp perfect terminal inverted repeats similar to those found in many members of the Tcl family. Its small size and lack of long open reading frames preclude protein coding capacity. Southern analysis and in situ hybridization to polytene chromosomes demonstrated that Pegasus occurs in approximately 30 copies in the genomes of An. gambiae and its sibling species and is homogenous in structure but polymorphic in chromosomal location. Characterization of five additional elements by sequencing revealed nucleotide identities of 95% to 99%. Of 30 Pegasus-containing phage clones examined by PCR, only one contained an element exceeding 535 bp in length, due to the insertion of another transposable element-like sequence. Thus, the majority, if not all, extant Pegasus elements may be defective copies of a complete element whose contemporary existence in An. gambiae is uncertain. No Pegasus-hybridizing sequences were detected in nine other anophelines and three culicines examined, suggesting a very limited taxonomic distribution.
Risk-based management: current concepts of treating malignant solid tumors of childhood.

Abstract Background: Improved survival with pediatric malignancies has been positively influenced by multidisciplinary cooperative studies using surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, but one-third of all children with cancer succumb to their condition. The identification of biologic and genetic characteristics as risk factors for the various tumors has led to changes in treatment using risk-based management as the template for care. Study Design: The purpose of this report is fourfold: (1) to review survival data concerning three solid malignant tumors of childhood (Wilms' tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, and neuroblastoma), (2) to describe important prognostic genetic and biologic risk factors for each tumor, (3) to update changes in staging criteria, and (4) to familiarize the reader with the concept of risk-based management, which individualizes treatment in an attempt to maximize survival and minimize longterm morbidity. Results: The overall survival rates for Wilms' tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, and neuroblastoma are currently 90%, 70%, and 40%, respectively. Most patients with Wilms' tumor have favorable histology and survive after nephrectomy and chemotherapy, but 10% have poor prognostic variables, including unfavorable (anaplastic) histology, chromosomal loss on 1p and 16q, and diploidy. Instances of lung or liver metastases, major tumor spillage during resection, remote lymph node involvement, and bilateral tumors have worse outcomes. Rhabdomyosarcoma is associated with chromosomal translocation of t(2:13) in alveolar types, the p53 tumor suppressor gene, and 11p15. Survival is dependent on the tumor site and pretreatment clinical group. Orbit, paratesticular, vulvar, and vaginal tumors have a good prognosis, but other genitourinary tumors, extremity and trunk lesions, and parameningeal head and neck tumors have a worse prognosis. Survival rates by clinical group are stage I, 93%; II, 81%; III, 73%; and IV, 30%. Resectability, lymph node involvement, DNA ploidy, and pretreatment TNM staging affect outcomes. Neuroblastoma is an embryonal tumor with bizarre behavior and can regress, mature, or rapidly progress. Most patients have advanced disease at diagnosis. Neuroblastoma is associated with loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 1p36 and occasionally deletions on 14q and 17q. Survival is affected by age and stage (at less than 1 year, stages I [95% to 100%], II [85% to 90%], and IV-S [more than 80%] do better) and other risk factors. Patients with advanced disease (older than 1 year, stage III [70%], and stage IV [12%]) often have amplification of the N- myc oncogene, diploid tumors, 1p36 deletion, and unfavorable histology and fare worse. Conclusions: On the basis of these data, children with solid tumors are currently categorized into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups. Newer protocols individualize treatment using risk factors as predictors of outcomes. Risk-based management allows the clinician to weigh the risks and benefits of treatment for each patient to maximize survival, minimize longterm morbidity, and improve the quality of life.
The Effects of Perceived Management Concern for Frontline Employees and Customers on Turnover Intentions: Moderating Role of Employment Status

This study develops and tests a turnover intentions model, which examines the effects of frontline employees' perceptions of management concern for employees and customers on turnover intentions, m...
Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography-Based Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion: Correlation with 2D Echocardiography

Background Right heart evaluation on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is underutilized due to nonopacification of the right heart chambers and poor endocardial resolution. We analyzed feasibility and reproducibility of right heart functional analysis by measuring CCTA-based tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (CT-TAPSE) on ECG-gated CCTA and correlated the results with 2D transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)-derived TAPSE (Echo-TAPSE). Methods CT-TAPSE was measured on a total population of 41 patients who had CCTA and TTE performed within 6 months of each other. Two independent CCTA readers performed analysis on reformatted four-chamber view. Intra- and inter-observer variability analysis was performed on 16 randomly selected patients. Correlative (Spearman's R) and Bland–Altman analysis was used to assess the level of agreement between the 2 methods and to compare CT-TAPSE with Echo-TAPSE. Results CT-TAPSE measured by Readers 1 and 2 on 16 randomly selected patients, demonstrated excellent intra-observer and inter-observer agreement, with very close correlation (R > 0.80 and 2-tailed P-value of <0.001). When tested in the entire study population of 41 patients, CT-TAPSE correlated closely with Echo-TAPSE (R = 0.738, P < 0.001). Bland–Altman analysis indicated that the 2 methods provided similar measures as majority of values lay within the 95% confidence limits. Based on abnormal Echo-TAPSE cutoff value of <16 mm, CT-TAPSE identified impaired right ventricle (RV) function with sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 93%, respectively. Conclusion We demonstrated feasibility and reproducibility of assessing TAPSE on coronary CTA. RV functional analysis utilizing CT-TAPSE is simple and reproducible methodology, and is in close agreement with Echo-TAPSE.
ANALYSIS OF THYROID HORMONES IN SERUM BY LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY-TANDEM MASS SPECTROMETRY

Thyroid hormones are essential hormones for regulating growth and development in humans and wildlife. Methods to monitor precise and low levels of these hormones in serum and tissues are needed to assess overall health, whether from disease considerations or possibly from environmental contaminant exposures. Common and routine methods typically rely upon radioimmunoassays, which can be expensive, and typically only measure thyroxine and 3,3′,5-triidothyronine, which can be a limitation in fully evaluating impacts on thyroid regulation. In this study we developed a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous analysis of five thyroid hormones—thyroxine, 3,3′,5-triidothyronine, 3,3′,5′-triiodothyronine, 3,3′-diiodothyronine, and 3,5-diiodothyronine—in serum samples. The LC-MS/MS parameters were optimized and calibrated over a wide concentration range (1.0–500 ng/mL) with on-column detection limits of 1.5–7.0 pg. With use of spiked bovine serum samples, the mean method recoveries were calculated to be 81.3–111.9% with relative standard deviations of 1.2–9.6% at spiking levels ranging from 10 to 100 ng/mL. This method was compared with measurements made by standard radioimmunoassays and with measurements made in a serum Standard Reference Material (SRM 1951b). Development of this method expands the capacity to measure thyroid hormones by including a larger suite of thyroid hormones, and has promising applications for measuring catabolism of thyroid hormones in vitro.
Experience with Preformed Catheters for Coronary Angiography by the Brachial Approach

Experience with a simplified technique for selective coronary angiography by the brachial cutdown approach using preformed coronary catheters in over 500 cases is described. This technique has facilitated selective catheterization of the coronary arteries in patients where use of the Sones catheter has proven difficult or impossible. Particularly, coronary arteries in patients with a dilated aortic root, high-rising left coronary artery or tortuous subclavian artery are easily catheterized with the preformed catheters described in this report. Shortened procedure time, an acceptable morbidity (1.4%) and mortality (0.2%), and improved coronary opacification by virtue of the ease in selectively entering the coronary ostia make these preformed catheters a useful modification to coronary angiography by the transbrachial approach.
Fistulas of the sigmoid flexure.

Records of a series of 28 patients with sigmoidal fistulas have been reviewed. Our discussion of the incidence and pathogenesis of sigmoidal fistulas is based on a review of the literature and a study of a collected series of cases. The value of various diagnostic features (symptomatology, physical examination, sigmoidoscopy, roentgenography, urologic studies, Papanicolau staining methods, direct biopsy and needle biopsy) have been discussed. The historical background of the surgical management of sigmoidal fistulas has been presented. The results of treatment in the present series have been summarized. A general discussion of the surgical management of sigmoidal fistulas is based on personal observation and a study of a collected series of cases.
Regression Discontinuity Designs With Multiple Rating-Score Variables

Abstract In the absence of a randomized control trial, regression discontinuity (RD) designs can produce plausible estimates of the treatment effect on an outcome for individuals near a cutoff score. In the standard RD design, individuals with rating scores higher than some exogenously determined cutoff score are assigned to one treatment condition; those with rating scores below the cutoff score are assigned to an alternate treatment condition. Many education policies, however, assign treatment status on the basis of more than one rating-score dimension. We refer to this class of RD designs as “multiple rating score regression discontinuity” (MRSRD) designs. In this paper, we discuss five different approaches to estimating treatment effects using MRSRD designs (response surface RD; frontier RD; fuzzy frontier RD; distance-based RD; and binding-score RD). We discuss differences among them in terms of their estimands, applications, statistical power, and potential extensions for studying heterogeneity of t...
Durability of the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome based on clinical criteria.

Our purpose was to evaluate the durability of the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) based on clinical criteria. The study population consisted of a cohort of previously published study patients evaluated for IBS between 1989 and 1992, who met the International Congress of Gastroenterology criteria for IBS. Patients were reinterviewed for cardinal features of IBS, Rome I, Rome II, and Manning criteria 10–13 years after the initial diagnosis. During the observational follow-up period, there were 75 patients, 14 males and 61 females, with a mean age of 47.5 ± 11.3 years (SD; range, 20 to 75 years). Mean time of reinterview after initial diagnosis was 11.8 ± 0.9 years (range, 10 to 13 years). None of the 75 patients had an abdominal condition which could have been mistaken for IBS. Other abdominal conditions diagnosed during this period included diverticulitis (five), uterine fibromyoma (three), and gallbladder disease (three). Sixty-nine patients (92%) did not consider their symptoms as resolved. Thirty-five (46.7%) had repeat structural evaluation of the colon for similar symptoms without any new diagnoses made. Twenty-six (34.7%) and 32 (42.7%) presently meet the Rome II and Rome I criteria for IBS, respectively. Clinicians are advised to use clinical criteria for a specific and durable diagnosis of IBS.
Cocaine- and food-maintained responding under a multiple schedule in rhesus monkeys: environmental context and the effects of a dopamine antagonist.

Abstract Rationale. Environmental context has been shown to influence responding under multiple schedules of food reinforcement and to modify the behavioral effects of drugs. However, no systematic study has been conducted under conditions of cocaine self-administration. The hypothesis was that changes in the magnitude of food reinforcement would affect cocaine-maintained response rates and influence the behavioral potency of a dopamine antagonist to decrease cocaine self-administration. Objective. A multiple schedule was used to evaluate the effects of changes in the magnitude of food reinforcement on the self-administration cocaine dose-response curve and on the behavioral potency of a dopamine receptor antagonist to decrease food- and cocaine-maintained responding. Methods. Rhesus monkeys (n=3) were trained to self-administer intravenous cocaine under a multiple fixed-interval (FI) 5-min schedule of food and cocaine presentation. Food (one or four pellets) was available in the first and third components and cocaine (saline, 0.01–0.3 mg/kg per injection) was available in the second and fourth components. After completion of cocaine dose-response curves, the effects of the dopamine D2/D3 receptor antagonist 2,3-dimethoxy-N-(9-p-fluorobenzyl)-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3β-yl benzamide (MABN) were examined. Results. Cocaine- and food-maintained responding varied as a function of dose and were characterized as inverted U-shaped functions; cocaine-maintained response rates were significantly influenced by the magnitude of food in the other component. The behavioral potency of MABN on food- and cocaine-maintained responding was not influenced by the magnitude of food reinforcement. Conclusions. These results suggest that cocaine self-administration under a multiple schedule with food reinforcement is influenced by the environmental context. These schedule interactions, however, did not alter the behavioral effects of a dopamine D2/D3 receptor antagonist.
The complexity of game dynamics: BGP oscillations, sink equilibria, and beyond

We settle the complexity of a well-known problem in networking by establishing that it is PSPACE-complete to tell whether a system of path preferences in the BGP protocol [25] can lead to oscillatory behavior; one key insight is that the BGP oscillation question is in fact one about Nash dynamics. We also show that the concept of sink equilibria proposed recently in [11] is PSPACE-complete to analyze and approximate for graphical games. Finally, we propose a new equilibrium concept inspired by game dynamics, unit recall equilibria, which we show to be close to universal (exists with high probability in a random game) and algorithmically promising. We also give a relaxation thereof, called componentwise unit recall equilibria, which we show to be both tractable and universal (guaranteed to exist in every game).
Isolation and characterization of new ecotropic murine leukemia viruses after passage of an amphotropic virus in NIH Swiss mice.

Abstract Amphotropic murine leukemia viruses (MuLV-A) cause mainly lymphoma in newborn inoculated NIH Swiss mice after a long latent period of 6–12 months. Rarely, however, about 1% of the inoculated mice develop hind limb paralysis and progressive central nervous system disease. The biological properties and RNase T,-resistant oligonucleotide fingerprints of the recovered viruses from tissues of both lymphomatous and paralyzed mice inoculated with MuLV-A were analyzed. These results indicate that serial in vivo passages of MuLV-A in NIH Swiss mice lead to generation of new MuLVs of both amphotropic and ecotropic host ranges. The recovered amphotropic viruses are highly lymphomagenic and are recombinants of MuLV-A-specific oligonucleotides and endogenous mouse sequences. The ecotropic viruses fall into two groups: (1) recombinants of MuLV-A genes and NIH Swiss mouse viral or cellular sequences and (2) new ecotropic viruses with oligonucleotide fingerprints not related to any of the known MuLVs. The naturally occurring ecotropic MuLVs of the wild mice produce both lymphoma and paralysis in NIH Swiss mice. The viruses recovered from in vivo passages are mainly of ecotropic host range although dual-tropic virus activity is occasionally seen in the spleens but not in the brains or spinal cords of the lymphomatous or paralyzed mice. Oligonucleotide fingerprinting of the recovered MuLV-Es from paralyzed mice are identical to the input MuLV-Es, indicating that the parental MuLV-E alone, without recombination, is responsible for the paralytic disease.
Rapid GDP release from G sα in patients with gain and loss of endocrine function

LUTEINIZING hormone stimulates testicular Leydig cells to produce testosterone by binding to a receptor that activates the G protein Gs and adenylyl cyclase. Testotoxicosis is a form of precocious puberty in which the Leydig cells secrete testosterone in the absence of luteinizing hormone, often due to constitutive activation of the luteinizing hormone receptor and (indirectly) Gs (refs 1–4). Here we study two unrelated boys suffering from a paradoxical combination of testotoxicosis and pseudohypoparathyroidism type la (PHP-Ia)5, a condition marked by resistance to hormones acting through cyclic AMP (parathyroid hormone and thyroid-stimulat-ing hormone) as well as a 50% decrease in erythrocyte Gs activity (the remaining 50% is due to the normal Gs allele)5,6. In both patients, a mutation in the gene encoding the Gs α-subunit replaced alanine at position 366 with serine5. We show that this αs-A366S mutation constitutively activates adenylyl cyclase in vitro, causing hormone-independent cAMP accumulation when expressed in cul-tured cells, and accounting for the testotoxicosis phenotype (as cAMP stimulates testosterone secretion). Although as-A366S is quite stable at testis temperature, it is rapidly degraded at 37 °C, explaining the PHP-Ia phenotype caused by loss of Gs activity. In vitro experiments indicate that accelerated release of GDP causes both the constitutive activity and the thermolability of αs-A366S.
The TechBridgeWorld initiative: broadening perspectives in computing technology education and research

The growing demand for technological innovation to empower developing communities and enable sustainable development requires new and creative educational initiatives. Thus, well designed higher educational initiatives geared towards appropriate technology for developing communities can have a significant global impact. This paper presents the challenges and benefits of a higher education initiative, TechBridgeWorld, at Carnegie Mellon University that focuses on innovating and implementing relevant technology for developing communities. The authors examine the potential intersections of computing technologies with education and sustainable development. Several programs launched through the TechBridgeWorld initiative are described, and results of a pilot study carried out in Ghana for one of the TechBridgeWorld programs, Project Kane, are presented. The paper concludes with an analysis of lessons learned by the authors through launching the TechBridgeWorld initiative, and other related experiences.
Insecticidal activity of Bacillus laterosporus.

Abstract Strains of Bacillus laterosporus demonstrated pathogenic activity for second-instar larvae of the mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus, but failed to demonstrate detectable pathogenicity against larvae of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni. Of 29 strains of the bacterium screened, 16 displayed pathogenicity for mosquito larvae. One of the most pathogenic strains, NRS 590, also demonstrated pathogenic activity for larvae of the mosquito, Aedes aegypti, and for larvae of the black fly, Simulium vittatum. The pathogenicity for Culex larvae was associated with the cell mass rather than with the culture supernatant. A suspension of ultraviolet irradiation-killed cells demonstrated no loss in pathogenic activity, an indication that the pathogenicity is toxin mediated. The toxic substance produced by NRS 590 was found to be resistant to heating at 96°C for 10 min. The toxin was not associated with the heat-resistant, bacterial endospore or with the associated paraspore since a suspension consisting primarily of spores was not toxic to mosquito larvae. Toxic activity in stationary phase cells of NRS 590 was associated with the cell's particulate fraction rather than with the soluble fraction.
Cell-surface expression of H-2Db requires N-linked glycans.

The question of whether beta-2 microglobulin (B2m)-independent expression of the mouse major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen H-2Db results from the atypical glycosylation pattern associated with this MHC antigen (i. e., three glycans instead of two) has been addressed. Cell-surface expression of transfected H-2Db in the B2m deficient cell line RIE was completely abolished by the drug tunicamycin (Tm). Introduction of a functional B2m gene by transfection did not re-establish cell-surface expression of Db in the presence of Tm. Tm had no effect, however, on the expression of a truncated Db molecule lacking the α1 and α2 domains which is glycosylated at amino acid position 256, suggesting that the Db molecule, unlike other class I antigens, possesses an unstable conformation in the α1 and/or α2 domains which requires the attachment of glycans before it is transported to the cell surface. Once attached, however, glycans may confer a stable α1/α2 conformation apparently peculiar to Db which allows cell-surface expression in the absence of B2m.