cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contrary Regulation of Bladder Cancer Cell Proliferation and Invasion by Dexamethasone-Mediated Glucocorticoid Receptor Signals

In patients with advanced bladder cancer, glucocorticoids are frequently given to reduce acute toxicity, particularly hyperemesis, during chemotherapy, as well as to improve cachectic conditions. However, it remains unclear whether glucocorticoids directly affect the development and progression of bladder cancer through the glucocorticoid receptor pathway. Glucocorticoid receptor expression was first investigated in human bladder cancer lines and tissue microarrays. Then, the effects of dexamethasone on glucocorticoid receptor transcription, cell proliferation, apoptosis/cell cycle, and invasion were examined in bladder cancer lines. Finally, mouse xenograft models for bladder cancer were used to assess the efficacy of dexamethasone on tumor progression. All the cell lines and tissues examined were found to express glucocorticoid receptor. Dexamethasone increased glucocorticoid receptor-mediated reporter activity and cell proliferation, and inhibited apoptosis in the presence or absence of cisplatin. In contrast, dexamethasone suppressed cell invasion, the expression of its related genes [MMP-2/MMP-9, interleukin (IL)-6, VEGF], and the activity of MMP-2/MMP-9, and also induced mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition. In addition, dexamethasone increased IκBα protein levels and cytosolic accumulation of NF-κB. In xenograft-bearing mice, dexamethasone slightly augmented the growth of the inoculated tumors but completely prevented the development of bloody ascites, suggestive of peritoneal dissemination of tumor cells, and actual metastasis. In all these assays, dexamethasone effects were abolished by a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist or glucocorticoid receptor knockdown via RNA interference. Thus, glucocorticoid receptor activation resulted in promotion of cell proliferation via inhibiting apoptosis yet repression of cell invasion and metastasis. These results may provide a basis of developing improved chemotherapy regimens, including or excluding glucocorticoid receptor agonists/antagonists, for urothelial carcinoma.
Selective Adsorption of Manganese onto Rhodium for Optimized Mn/Rh/SiO2 Alcohol Synthesis Catalysts

Using supported rhodium-based catalysts to produce alcohols from syngas provides an alternative route to conventional fermentation methods. If left unpromoted, Rh catalysts have a strong selectivity towards methane. However, promotion with early transition metal elements has been shown to be effective to increase alcohol selectivity. Therefore, a key design objective is to increase the promoter–metal interaction to maximize their effectiveness. This can be achieved by the use of the strong electrostatic adsorption (SEA) method, which utilizes pH control to steer the promoter precursor (in this case MnO4−) onto Rh oxide supported on SiO2. Mn-promoted catalysts were synthesized by both SEA and traditional incipient wetness impregnation (IWI) and subsequently characterized by STEM and extended X-ray absorption fine structure methods. Using STEM–electron energy loss spectroscopy mapping, catalysts prepared by SEA were shown to have a higher degree of interaction between the promoter and the active metal. The reduction behavior of the catalysts obtained by X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy and temperature-programmed reduction demonstrated a minimal change in Rh if promoted by SEA. However, catalytic results for CO hydrogenation revealed that a significant improvement of ethanol selectivity is achieved if the promoter was prepared by SEA in comparison with the promoter prepared by IWI. These results suggest that intimate interaction between the promoter and the metal is a critical factor for improving selectivity to higher alcohols.
Sugar-dependent modulation of neuronal development, regeneration, and plasticity by chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) play important roles in the developing and mature nervous system, where they guide axons, maintain stable connections, restrict synaptic plasticity, and prevent axon regeneration following CNS injury. The chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan (CS GAG) chains that decorate CSPGs are essential for their functions. Through these sugar chains, CSPGs are able to bind and regulate the activity of a diverse range of proteins. CSPGs have been found both to promote and inhibit neuronal growth. They can promote neurite outgrowth by binding to various growth factors such as midkine (MK), pleiotrophin (PTN), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and other neurotrophin family members. CSPGs can also inhibit neuronal growth and limit plasticity by interacting with transmembrane receptors such as protein tyrosine phosphatase σ (PTPσ), leukocyte common antigen-related (LAR) receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase, and the Nogo receptors 1 and 3 (NgR1 and NgR3). These CS-protein interactions depend on specific sulfation patterns within the CS GAG chains, and accordingly, particular CS sulfation motifs are upregulated during development, in the mature nervous system, and in response to CNS injury. Thus, spatiotemporal regulation of CS GAG biosynthesis may provide an important mechanism to control the functions of CSPGs and to modulate intracellular signaling pathways. Here, we will discuss these sulfation-dependent processes and highlight how the CS sugars on CSPGs contribute to neuronal growth, axon guidance, and plasticity in the nervous system.
Scalp Reduction for Correction of Cutis Aplasia Congenita

A case of cutis aplasia congenita is presented that was managed successfully by the technique of scalp reduction. A review of this congenital anomaly and its modes of surgical treatment are given. Scalp reduction is an excellent way of correcting both cicatricial and non-cicatricial alopecias.
Sport, Philosophy, and the Quest for Knowledge

In his seminal work, Homo Ludens, Johan Huizinga argues persuasively that sport is a form of play. This view is widely accepted among sport philosophers today, as evidenced by the use of terms such as ‘nonserious,’ ‘autotelic,’ and ‘gratuitous’ to describe the subject of our study. At the same time this play-paradigm seems at odds with the modern world, which takes sports very seriously, puts them in the service of deliberate ends, and views them (or competition at least) as essential for human thriving. Indeed our modern use of sport seems to better resemble ancient Greece, where athletic contest (agōn) served specific political and educational goals. Huizinga claims that the ancient Hellenes simply became unaware of their contests’ autotelic character (5: 30–31); my own concern is that we moderns are becoming unaware of–or indifferent to–sport’s contemporary ends. 1 Insofar as we still value the social and educational potential of sport in the modern world, we can benefit from a study of its corresponding function in the ancient world. What my own study of these phenomena reveals is that sport’s social and educational benefits derive not from its playful character, but from its philosophical origins as a knowledge-seeking activity. Like philosophy, democracy, and other forms of competitive truth seeking that emerged in ancient Greece, athletic contests display the characteristics of authentic questioning, impartial testing, and public demonstration of results; features that endure in such modern practices as courtroom trials and scientific exper iments. Hellenic sport was born with these knowledge-seeking characteristics, not least because it was conceived in response to an emerging philosophical recognition of the fallibility of humanity and its traditional hierarchies. By setting up rational, impartial, and publicly observed selection methods, both athletics and philosophical inquiry managed to subvert worldly power and authority, thereby fostering agreement among diverse communities without suppressing individuality. Later sport and philosophy were adapted to the educational function of cultivating individual virtue (aretē) or, in modern parlance, moral character. As we continue to pursue social and educational goals through sport, it is important to understand how these functions were related in ancient times to sport’s philosophical characteristics. Indeed we may better put sport in the service of humanity today, by viewing it not merely as playful, but also as philosophical; as an expression of what Aristotle called the natural and universal human desire to learn and know (1: 980a).
Substrate Specificity of the AmpG Permease Required for Recycling of Cell Wall Anhydro-Muropeptides

AmpG was originally identified as a gene required for induction of β-lactamase. Subsequently, we found AmpG to be a permease required for recycling of murein tripeptide and uptake of anhydro-muropeptides. We have now studied the specificity of the AmpG permease. The principal requirement is for the presence of the disaccharide, N-acetylglucosaminyl-β-1,4-anhydro-N-acetylmuramic acid (GlcNAc-anhMurNAc). These unique substrates for AmpG, which contain murein peptides linked to GlcNAc-anhMurNAc, are produced by turnover of the cell wall during logarithmic growth. AmpG permease is sensitive to carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, demonstrating that AmpG permease is a single-component permease and that transport is dependent on the proton motive force.
Dissecting the kinetics of the NADP(+)-FADH2 charge transfer complex and flavin semiquinones in neuronal nitric oxide synthase.

Electron flow within the neuronal nitric oxide synthase reductase domain (nNOSrd) includes hydride transfer from NADPH to FAD followed by two one-electron transfer reactions from FAD to FMN. We have used stopped flow spectrometry to closely monitor these electron transfer steps for both the wild type and the ΔG810 mutant of nNOSrd using a protocol involving both global analyses of the photodiode array spectral scans and curve fittings of single wavelength kinetic traces. The charge transfer complex and interflavin electron transfer events recorded at 750 nm and 600 nm, respectively, show the kinetics in different time frames. All electron transfer events are slow enough at 4 °C to enable measurements of rate constants even for the fast charge transfer event. To our knowledge this is the first time the rate constants for the charge transfer between NADP+ and FADH2 have been determined for NOS. These procedures allow us to conclude that (1) binding of the second NADPH is necessary to drive the full reduction of FMN and; (2) charge transfer and the subsequent interflavin electron transfer have distinct spectral features that can be monitored separately with stopped flow spectroscopy. These studies also enable us to conclude that interflavin electron transfer reported at 600 nm is not limiting in NOS catalysis.
Primary Dysmenorrhea: Assessment and Management Update

Many women are familiar with the experience of dysmenorrhea, which can contribute to significant physical and emotional distress and life disruption. However, women may not seek professional expertise in their attempt to alleviate this condition. It is important to assess the beliefs and experiences of all women with dysmenorrhea, including adolescents, as early in gynecologic care as possible. This article reviews the management of primary dysmenorrhea. Midwives can provide valuable assistance to women in their explorations of the variety of treatment options available for the relief of dysmenorrhea, including lifestyle changes, complementary and alternative approaches, analgesics, and hormones.
Overdose of Rogaine Extra Strength for Men topical minoxidil preparation.

Case Report: Minoxidil is a potent arterial vasodilator used in the treatment of hypertension. A side effect, hypertrichosis, has prompted the marketing of a topical preparation, Rogaine®, for the treatment of male-pattern baldness. Recently, a 5% solution of minoxidil became available over-the-counter as Rogaine Extra Strength For Men Hair Regrowth Treatment. We describe an oral overdose of minoxidil 3 g as the Rogaine Extra Strength preparation. Toxicity manifested as profound hypotension, requiring vasopressor support, intubation, prolonged tachycardia, and fluid overload with pleural effusions, requiring several days of therapy with furosemide. This is the largest reported ingestion of minoxidil and the first reported overdose of the extra strength 5% solution.
Planning for development: An assessment of the economic development district planning process

This article contributes to the economic development evaluation literature by providing a comprehensive process evaluation of a significant federal economic development planning program, the Economic Development Administration's funding of planning processes for Economic Development Districts (EDDs). This program represents one of the largest and oldest continuing federal grants designed to foster planning efforts. The evaluation concludes that the overall quality of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) process and resulting plans appears high, that EDDs focus on activities central to national goals, and that most stakeholders consider such activities effective in increasing cooperation and communication within the region. However, EDDs have not been completely successful in ensuring that CEDS committees fully represent their communities, policies outlined in the CEDS do not appear to match needs and goals as closely as would be desired, and the larger community tends to be unaware of va...
Preventing Childhood Caries A Review of Recent Behavioral Research

The etiology of dental caries reflects a complex interplay of biochemical, microbial, genetic, social and physical environmental, and health-influencing behavioral factors. This review updates the literature on the efficacy of behavioral approaches to caries prevention for children up to 18 y of age. Included were studies of behavioral interventions implemented at individual, family, and community levels that assessed results in terms of reductions in caries increments. Only those reports published since 2011 were considered. Outcomes were variable, although motivational interviewing, which involves individuals in decisions about oral health within the context of their respective life circumstances, proved effective in 3 of 4 reported studies, and more definitive trials are underway. Recommendations for future research include examinations of the cost-effectiveness of interventions, as well as work focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying oral health behavior change and variables that may mediate or moderate responses to interventions.
Simulations of inorganic–bioorganic interfaces to discover new materials: insights, comparisons to experiment, challenges, and opportunities

Natural and man-made materials often rely on functional interfaces between inorganic and organic compounds. Examples include skeletal tissues and biominerals, drug delivery systems, catalysts, sensors, separation media, energy conversion devices, and polymer nanocomposites. Current laboratory techniques are limited to monitor and manipulate assembly on the 1 to 100 nm scale, time-consuming, and costly. Computational methods have become increasingly reliable to understand materials assembly and performance. This review explores the merit of simulations in comparison to experiment at the 1 to 100 nm scale, including connections to smaller length scales of quantum mechanics and larger length scales of coarse-grain models. First, current simulation methods, advances in the understanding of chemical bonding, in the development of force fields, and in the development of chemically realistic models are described. Then, the recognition mechanisms of biomolecules on nanostructured metals, semimetals, oxides, phosphates, carbonates, sulfides, and other inorganic materials are explained, including extensive comparisons between modeling and laboratory measurements. Depending on the substrate, the role of soft epitaxial binding mechanisms, ion pairing, hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and conformation effects is described. Applications of the knowledge from simulation to predict binding of ligands and drug molecules to the inorganic surfaces, crystal growth and shape development, catalyst performance, as well as electrical properties at interfaces are examined. The quality of estimates from molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations is validated in comparison to measurements and design rules described where available. The review further describes applications of simulation methods to polymer composite materials, surface modification of nanofillers, and interfacial interactions in building materials. The complexity of functional multiphase materials creates opportunities to further develop accurate force fields, including reactive force fields, and chemically realistic surface models, to enable materials discovery at a million times lower computational cost compared to quantum mechanical methods. The impact of modeling and simulation could further be increased by the advancement of a uniform simulation platform for organic and inorganic compounds across the periodic table and new simulation methods to evaluate system performance in silico.
A regularization of the Burgers-Continuity equations using high wavenumber ltering

ltering techniques are used to remedy the problem of high wavenumber mode generations common to both shock-formation and turbulence. In this manuscript, a spatial averaging technique called the method of observable divergence is utilized for the Burgers-continuity (or transport) equations as an alternative method to vanishing viscosity. The transport equations have the interesting property that its distribution solution to some initial value problems may contain delta-shock waves. In fact, the delta-shock solution to the Burgers-continuity equation with Riemann initial data is known to be the weak- limit of solutions to the viscous perturbed Burgers-continuity equations as viscosity vanishes. In comparison, it is shown that the Riemann problem for the averaged equations will recover the same distribution solution. Furthermore, the existence and uniqueness of classical solutions within the class of smooth initial conditions is provided along with a brief discussion on the mathematical and physical motivation for using spatial averaging.
Higher degree of glycation of hemoglobin S compared to hemoglobin A measured by mass spectrometry: Potential impact on HbA1c testing.

Abstract Background Glycated hemoglobin (GHb), reported as HbA 1c , is used as marker of long-term glycemia for diabetic patients. HbA 1c results from boronate affinity methods are generally considered to be unaffected by most hemoglobin variants; this assumes comparable glycation of variant and non-variant (HbAA) hemoglobins. In this report, glycation of HbA beta chain (βA) and HbS beta chain (βS) for the most common Hb variant trait (HbAS) are examined. Methods We analyzed 41 blood samples from subjects with HbAS, both with and without diabetes. Using LC-MS, ratios of glycated HbS to glycated HbA were determined by comparison of areas under the curves from extracted ion chromatograms. Results Glycation of βS chains was significantly higher ( p Conclusion This novel mass-spectrometric approach described allows for relative quantification of glycated forms of βS and βA. Although βS glycation was significantly higher than that of βA, the difference in total glycation of HbAS versus HbAA was smaller and unlikely to impact clinical interpretation of boronate affinity HbA 1c results. These data support the continued use of boronate affinity to measure HbA 1c in patients with HbAS.
Imaging Features of Budd-Chiari Syndrome of Children

Objective: To explore the diagnostic significance of images in Budda2Chiari Syndrome(BCS). Methods: Budd Chiari syndrome of 7 pedia patients diagnosed by CT scan(n=7), Venography(n=5), and MRI(n=2) was conformed by both surgical procedure and DSA. Results: The typical characteristic of CT of hepar was intratumoral hyodense. Enhanced CT of hepar showed a tratumoral enhancement at early stage and mild uniform enhancement at later stage. Venography showed a stemosis of inferior venaccava. Conclusion: The Budd Chiari syndrome of children is similar to that of adult.CT,Venography, and MRI are quite useful in finding and classing the lesion as well as planing the treatments of the syndrome.
Sensitivity of dwarf rice varieties/lines to gebberellic acid and PP333

The response to gebberellic acid (GA_3) and PP333 of rice varieties/lines carrying different dwarf genes and gene combinations were studied at seedling stage. Among the dwarf genes tested, the new semi-dwarf gene sd-q(t) was insensitive to GA_3, whereas most of the others were sensitive. The order of sensitivity to GA_3 from the higher to the lower ranked as: d-c(t), D-53, sd-1 (indica), eui, sd-1 and sd-e(t) combination (TA), d-29, multi-gene combination, d-1, Sd-1 (tall plant), sd-6, d-32, sd-g, sd-q(t) and sd-1 and sd-q(t) combination (QN). And in PP333 test, sd-q(t), sd-g and eui were the most sensitive, and multi-gene combination variety 83N1041 and DM107-4 with d-59 were the most insensitive. The results suggested that the use of GA_3 or PP333 for screening some dwarf genes un-allelic to sd-1 at seedling stage was effective.
Analyse the Reasons of the Increasing Incidence of Measles in 2005 in Haining City

OBJECTIVE The number of measles in 2005 was quantity 8.67 times as great as average of last five years.Search the reasons of the increasing incidence of measles and providing the evidence for making the controlling measure.METHODS Analyse the epidemic situation of measles in 2005 and the epidemic direction from 1985 throuhg descriptive study.RESULTS The population of measles was mostly native which related with that the low immunity quality and low incidence of measles reduce the antibody level of population.The measles cases included children who was less than 8 month because their antibody coming from mother were the low level and disappeared quickly.The cases from one age to seven age were mostly floating population who haven't received the immunity because the managers to the planned immunity for the floating children were weakness.CONCLUSION It's necessary that strengthening the planned immunity and the immunity manager for the floating children,increasing the immunity rate of measles in time,inoculating measles bacterin fortified.
Abstract B22: Analysis of Lgr5-positive cells in mouse mammary gland

Lgr5 has been identified as a stem cell marker in multiple adult tissues, and individual Lgr5+ mammary epithelial cells are capable of regenerating mouse mammary glands in transplantation assays. Here we investigated the proliferation and differentiation capabilities of murine mammary Lgr5+ cells in vitro, and their distribution in mouse mammary glands in vivo. Equal numbers of sorted Lgr5+ and Lgr5- epithelial cells were cultured in Matrigel to evaluate their stem-like properties in vitro. Compared with Lgr5- cells, Lgr5+ cells were more efficient at generating organoids in 3D culture, and the Lgr5+ cell-derived organoids grew to a larger size. Moreover, Lgr5+ cell-derived organoids survived repeated passaging and contained cells of both luminal and basal lineages, as indicated by keratin marker expression. Incidence of Lgr5+ cells in organoids was confirmed by in situ hybridization. These studies indicate that Lgr5+ cells retain the self-renewal and differentiation capabilities of stem cells ex vivo. The in vivo distribution of Lgr5+ cells was investigated using X-Gal-stained mammary glands from Lgr5-lacZ reporter mice ranging from 5 to 32 weeks old. In both adolescent and adult mice, we observed a graded distribution of Lgr5+ cells with greater abundance in the nipple-proximal (ventral) ducts than in the lymph-node proximal central region, and fewest Lgr5+ cells in the distal (dorsal) region of the glands. Lgr5+ cells from all mammary gland regions appeared capable of yielding organoids in culture. These results corroborate in organoid culture the known stem-like properties of Lgr5+ cells defined in intact mouse mammary gland. [Supported by NIH grant CA186981 and the China Scholarship Council] Citation Format: Lixing Zhang, Louise Howe, Richard Kolesnick, Anthony Brown. Analysis of Lgr5-positive cells in mouse mammary gland. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Developmental Biology and Cancer; Nov 30-Dec 3, 2015; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2016;14(4_Suppl):Abstract nr B22.
Comparing Health-Related News Articles to Original Research Studies A Lesson for Research Methods

Health education specialists often communicate health information to consumers, making the ability to decipher valid information from that which is unreliable an important skill. To address this is...
Storing and Keeping Memories

How memories are formed in the brain is an extremely complex process that is only partly understood. Memories are fundamental for learning and being able to interact with our environment. There is a sequence of events that are involved in forming memories. These events include the acquisition and storage of something one wishes to remember and after retaining this information, being able to retrieve it when there is a need to use it. There are two types of memories that the brain uses to store and retrieve a memory for brief or long durations. The first type is short-term memory. Short-term memory, as the name implies, is holding a small amount of information that is acquired (typical about 7 items or less), briefly storing it and then usually forgetting it after about 30 s. Short-term memory can be retained by repetition that is how one is able to retain a telephone number that is important to recall. Short-term memory information can be transferred to long-term memory within seconds, but the mechanisms involved in this transformation remain controversial.
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Health-Risk Behaviors in Vulnerable Early Adolescents

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with health-risk behaviors in general samples of adults and adolescents. The current study examined the association between ACEs and these behaviors among a high-risk sample of early adolescents. Five hundred and fifteen 9-11-year-old children placed in foster care due to maltreatment were interviewed about their engagement in violence, substance use, and delinquency. A multi-informant ACEs score was derived based on exposure to six adverse experiences. Regression analyses examined the relationship between ACEs and risk behaviors and the potential moderating effects of age, sex, and minority status. ACE scores were predictive of risk behaviors after controlling for age, sex, and minority status. Although males and older youth were more likely to engage in risk behaviors, none of the demographic characteristics moderated the ACE-risk behavior association. This study extends previous research by demonstrating an association between ACEs and risk behaviors in extremely vulnerable early adolescents.
Computational and Experimental Studies of Gold Nanoparticle Templated HDL-Like Nanoparticles for Cholesterol Metabolism

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is involved in the transport and metabolism of phospholipids, triglycerides, and cholesterol. Mimics of HDL are being explored as potential therapeutic agents for removing excess cholesterol from arterial plaques. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalized with apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), and with the lipids 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate] (PDP PE) have been demonstrated to be acceptors of cellular cholesterol. However, detailed structural properties of this functionalized HDL AuNP are not well understood. We combined coarse-grained and all-atom MD simulations to simulate the self-assembly of lipids and cholesteryl ester on the AuNP/apoA-I construct to gain insights into its structural properties, and further make comparisons with experimental results. We find that lipids are oriented differently in regions with and without apoA-I. We also find that in this functionalized HDL AuNP, the distribution of cholesteryl ester maintains a reverse concentration gradient that is similar to the gradient found in native HDL. Incubating the HDL AuNP with cholesterol and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) demonstrate the HDL AuNP is able to efficiently activate LCAT and form esterified cholesterol from free cholesterol and phospholipid.
Providing cancer survivorship care plans for Spanish language speakers: Overall use and satisfaction patterns.

e20671 Background: Cancer survivorship care plans may be communication aides to assist healthcare providers and empower survivors. A paucity of information exists regarding the provision of survivo...
Edukacyjne aspekty języka formulicznego w doradztwie wielokulturowym

Having command of formulaic language, one of the linguistic elements related to the culture, is critical for self-expression and understanding the interlocutor. Thus counselors who are ESL (English as a Second Language) learners might benefit from having skills in formulaic language for providing quality service to their clients. Audio-visual materials which mostly contain formulaic language forms and cultural aspects might be used to help counseling sessions be more helpful and effective. This multidisciplinary study aims at presenting a brief review of the literature about formulaic language and multicultural counseling and then discussing the possible effect of integrating TV shows into ESL classes in the connection between counselor and client. In conclusion we suggest that TV shows might be effective tools to boost figurative language skills and to encourage immersion of ESL learners into culture, which is interrelated with conceiving cultural aspects of communication. As an implication, we present possible approaches to curriculum design, multicultural counseling and teaching English for specific purposes.
Effects of Exercise Training on Fat Loss and Lean Mass Gain in Mexican-American and Korean Premenopausal Women

We investigated the effect of exercise training on body composition change in women. Nineteen Mexican-American and 18 Korean premenopausal overweight/obese women were randomized into one of the following groups: control, low-intensity training group (LI), and high-intensity training group (HI). Subjects completed 12 weeks of training at 50-56% maximal oxygen consumption (LI) or 65-70% maximal oxygen consumption (HI). Body composition components were measured at baseline and after training using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for Mexican-Americans, while whole-body composition was measured by the direct segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis and abdominal fat was measured by single-slice computed tomography for Koreans. Data were analyzed using mixed-model repeated measures independent of age, ethnicity, and body mass index (BMI). Exercise training showed a significant effect on BMI, fat percentage, fat mass, lean mass, and visceral adipose tissue area. HI significantly decreased fat mass and fat percentage but increased lean mass (all P < 0.05). LI significantly reduced BMI, fat mass, fat percentage, and visceral adipose tissue area but increased lean mass (all P < 0.05). Exercise training had a beneficial effect on reducing BMI, fat percentage, fat mass, and visceral adipose tissue area but had no effect on increasing lean mass for Mexican-American and Korean premenopausal overweight/obese women.
A New Frontier: Defining Cyber-Attack and the Ramifications for Jus ad Bellum and Jus in Bello Law

This paper was written for a seminar on the Law of War, Peace, and Military Affairs taught by Dr. Mark Osiel at the University of Iowa College of Law in the Spring Semester of 2017. It explores the various definitions of cyber-attack and the impact each could have on jus ad bellum and jus in bello law if accepted by the international community. It begins by showing how international law applies to cyber warfare generally, before demonstrating how the definition of armed attack for jus ad bellum law and the definition of attack for jus in bello law are important for cyber-attack’s definition. It then analyzes the main debates surrounding the definition of cyber-attack. Each definition to be analyzed is then listed, and a series of hypotheticals are used to demonstrate how the definitions would function in real life scenarios. After, the ramifications of the various definitions are discussed in the context of both jus ad bellum and jus in bello law. This paper concludes by endorsing one of the definitions. To help demonstrate why the endorsed definition is best, the strengths and weaknesses of each definition are examined based on: how much protection they afford states and civilians, the ramifications each has on jus ad bellum and jus in bellow law, and the state of customary international law.
W.E.B. Dubois's "The Comet" and Contributions to Critical Race Theory: An Essay on Black Radical Politics and Anti-Racist Social Ethics

No longer considered the exclusive domain of legal studies scholars and radical civil rights lawyers and law professors, critical race theory has blossomed and currently encompasses and includes a wide range of theory and theorists from diverse academic disciplines. Its most prominent practitioners, initially law professors and “left scholars, most of them scholars of color” employing the work of the breathtakingly brilliant African American lawyer, scholar, and activist Derrick Bell (2005) as their primary point of departure, borrowed from many of the political and theoretical breakthroughs of black nationalism, anti-racist feminism, poststructuralism, and postmodernism. They also employed and experimented with new cutting-edge literary techniques and social science methodologies that shaped and shaded their work and burgeoning socio-legal discourse, ultimately giving it a fierceness and flair unheard of in the history of legal studies. Early critical race theorists9 work acutely accented “the vexed bond between law and racial power” (Crenshaw, Gotanda, Peller & Thomas, 1995, p. xiii). The emphasis on race and power quickly led them to the critique of “white supremacy and the subordination of people of color,” not simply in the legal system, but in society as a whole (p. xiii).
Editorial: The Name Game: Circumventing Quality Metrics by Categorizing Incomplete Colonoscopy as Sigmoidoscopy

Cecal intubation rate (CIR) is an important metric for colonoscopy quality. Guidelines propose a minimum CIR of 90% for all indications, and 95% in screening procedures. In this issue, a study of three UK teaching hospitals demonstrated one-third of endoscopists inappropriately converted colonoscopies to flexible sigmoidoscopies, and several endoscopists only reached the 90% CIR benchmark because of these inappropriate conversions. Our professional societies and healthcare organizations must continue to work to improve the accurate assessment of colonoscopy quality in order to identify underperforming clinicians who should be provided with additional training for the benefit of their patients.
Stochastic Decision Problems with Multiple Risk-Averse Agents

We consider a stochastic decision problem, with dynamic risk measures, in which multiple risk-averse agents make their decisions to minimize their individual accumulated risk-costs over a finite-time horizon. Specifically, we introduce multi-structure dynamic risk measures induced from conditional g-expectations, where the latter are associated with the generator functionals of certain BSDEs that implicitly take into account the risk-cost functionals of the risk-averse agents. Here, we also assume that the solutions for such BSDEs almost surely satisfy a stochastic viability property w.r.t. a certain given closed convex set. Using a result similar to that of the Arrow–Barankin–Blackwell theorem, we establish the existence of consistent optimal decisions for the risk-averse agents, when the set of all Pareto optimal solutions, in the sense of viscosity solutions, for the associated dynamic programming equations is dense in the given closed convex set. Finally, we comment on the characteristics of acceptable risks w.r.t. some uncertain future outcomes or costs, where results from the dynamic risk analysis are part of the information used in the risk-averse decision criteria.
Genes linked to species diversity in a sexually dimorphic communication signal in electric fish

Sexually dimorphic behaviors are often regulated by androgens and estrogens. Steroid receptors and metabolism are control points for evolutionary changes in sexual dimorphism. Electric communication signals of South American knifefishes are a model for understanding the evolution and physiology of sexually dimorphic behavior. These signals are regulated by gonadal steroids and controlled by a simple neural circuit. Sexual dimorphism of the signals varies across species. We used transcriptomics to examine mechanisms for sex differences in electric organ discharges (EODs) of two closely related species, Apteronotus leptorhynchus and Apteronotus albifrons, with reversed sexual dimorphism in their EODs. The pacemaker nucleus (Pn), which controls EOD frequency (EODf), expressed transcripts for steroid receptors and metabolizing enzymes, including androgen receptors, estrogen receptors, aromatase, and 5α-reductase. The Pn expressed mRNA for ion channels likely to regulate the high-frequency activity of Pn neurons and for neuromodulator and neurotransmitter receptors that may regulate EOD modulations used in aggression and courtship. Expression of several ion channel genes, including those for Kir3.1 inward-rectifying potassium channels and sodium channel β1 subunits, was sex-biased or correlated with EODf in ways consistent with EODf sex differences. Our findings provide a basis for future studies to characterize neurogenomic mechanisms by which sex differences evolve.
Search locations safely and accurately: A location privacy protection algorithm with accurate service

Abstract Location-based applications provide convenient services to users. However, they also lead to location privacy leakage. Malicious adversaries may use the leaked information to violate users' privacy in unpredictable ways. Current location protection algorithms use fake or obfuscated locations to query services, thus resulting in inaccurate results. Usually, these algorithms need to sacrifice quality of service to ensure protection. Location searching services (LSSs) is one kind of location-based service (LBS). Users use LSSs to query nearby locations and exact distances to these locations. Thus, any mistake in results can make LSSs useless. Therefore, current location protection algorithms are not suitable for LSSs. In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm to offer protection for LSSs. In the proposed algorithm, users can have accurate LSSs with powerful location privacy protection. Overhead, in terms of data usage, was introduced in this paper to improve the privacy and decrease the Quality Loss (QL) simultaneously. QL can be decreased to zero if users have a good Internet environment. We derive the privacy and QL calculation methods and also use simulations to calculate the expected privacy and QL. The results illustrate that the proposed algorithm has excellent privacy protection and service quality.
Prognostic Value of PD-L1 mRNA Sequencing Expression Profile in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors that target the programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway have shown benefit for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the prognostic value of PD-L1 independent of immunotherapy is still unclear, with conflicting results reported between PD-L1 expression and patient survival. Our aim was to correlate PD-L1 mRNA level with clinical and pathologic factors and to investigative the prognostic value of PD-L1 mRNA in all stages of NSCLC. Methods Gene expression and clinical data were obtained from public repositories in The Cancer Genome Atlas from the National Cancer Institute. Genotype-Tissue Expression was used to compare with normal tissue expression analysis. Results A total of 985 patients met inclusion criteria, among whom 79.6% were stage I to II, 16.5% were stage III, and 3.5% were stage IV, representing 495 adenocarcinoma and 490 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). PD-L1 mRNA gene expression in lung cancers was higher than in most other tumor and normal tissue types and was significantly higher in lung SCC than adenocarcinoma ( p Conclusions Our results suggest that the value of PD-L1 mRNA in prognosticating outcome in lung cancer is limited. Further studies are needed to identify novel prognostic biomarkers other than PD-L1 that are associated with improved patient survival. Identification of further prognostically important biomarkers may prove useful in identifying patients suitable for immunotherapy.
Farming and Veterans - Why Agricultural Programs Resonate with Returning Combatants

Farming is one of the oldest professions, probably about as old as soldiering. Historically, the two were often interlinked, even in the recent story of the birth and development of the United States. It’s no wonder that soldiers returning from the last ten plus years of warfare in the Middle East are turning to farming as a route to reintegration into civilian life. However, questions exist as to why exactly some choose this route. This article describes motivations and values affiliated with veterans' resonance with agricultural programs, from the perspective of the author, who is himself a veteran, a farmer, and a researcher in the field.
Peripheral Nerve Surgery: Primer for the Imagers

Peripheral nerve surgery represents a broad field of pathologic conditions, medical specialties, and anatomic regions of the body. Anatomic understanding of hierarchical nerve structure and the peripheral nervous system aids diagnosis and management of nerve lesions. Many peripheral nerves coalesce into organized arrays, including the cervical, brachial, and lumbosacral plexuses, controlling motor and sensory functions of the trunk and extremities. Individual or groups of nerves may be affected by various pathologic conditions, including trauma, entrapment, tumor, or iatrogenic damage. Current research efforts focus on enhancing the peripheral nerve regenerative process by targeting Schwann cells, nerve growth factors, and nerve allografts.
A Reduced-Order Technique for Stability Investigation of Voltage Source Inverters

This paper presents a second order model for stability analysis of grid-connected voltage source inverters (VSIs). VSIs are commonly modeled as ideal voltage sources for analysis. However, this approach cannot guarantee accuracy since it does not take into consideration the dominant states of the inverter. In this paper, a reduced-order model based on balanced truncation method is derived from a comprehensive twelfth-order model for a grid-connected VSI. The developed second-order model is computationally modest while providing an accurate representation of the system characteristic. The efficacy of the developed model is verified through time-domain simulations and root locus studies of the model eigenvalues against its full-order counterpart.
Why Distributed?: A Critical Review of the Tradeoffs Between Centralized and Decentralized Resources

The recent proliferation of distributed energy resources (DERs) is creating new options for the delivery of key electricity services, including energy, firm capacity, operating reserves, and even alternatives to transmission or distribution network investments. Rooftop solar photovoltaics (PVs) have the highest profile of these resources, but DERs include any generator or energy-storage device connected at distribution voltage levels and characterized by relatively small capacities (e.g., a few kilowatts to a few megawatts). In addition, improved power electronics and communication and control technologies enable more efficient and dynamic electricity consumption as well as the ability for flexible demand (demand response) to serve as a DER in many contexts.
Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Outcomes of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: A Case Series of 116 Patients.

Background Permanent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) is a treatment option for patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). Objectives Herein, we examine the outcomes, complication rates, and associations between predictors and outcomes after VPS in patients with NPH. Methods This was a retrospective review of 116 patients (68 males, 48 females) with NPH who underwent VPS placement from March 2008 to September 2017 after demonstrating objective and/or subjective improvement after a lumbar drain trial. The Chi-square test of independence was used to examine associations between predictors and clinical improvement after shunting. Complications associated with the VPS procedure were recorded. Results The mean age was 77 years (range 52-93). The mean duration of disturbance in gait, cognition, and continence were 29, 32, and 28 months, respectively. Of the 116 patients, 111 followed up at two weeks; of these, improvement in gait, incontinence, and cognition were reported in 72, 20, and 23 patients, respectively. Gait improved more than incontinence or cognition. A shorter duration of gait disturbance predicted an improvement in gait after shunting (p<0.01). Being on a cognition-enhancing medication predicted an improvement in cognition and/or incontinence after shunting (p<0.05). Complications included misplaced proximal catheters (n=6), asymptomatic catheter tract hemorrhages (n=3), bilateral hygromas (n=7), subdural hematomas (SDH) (n=5), and CSF leak (n=1). Conclusion VPS placement in patients with NPH is well-tolerated and associated with improved outcomes at least in the short-term follow-up (<6 months). A shorter duration of gait disturbance and being on a cognition-enhancing medication are associated with greater improvement after VPS.
Pathological Analyses of Colorectal Cancer

About 15–30% of colorectal cancer present as obstruction or perforation in an emergency setting.
Analytics Journey Map: An Approach Enable to ML at Scale

Data scientists today spend significant portions of their time in finding and preparing data rather than analyzing, building and deploying models. The challenges and opportunities will be explored by using a design thinking approach, to increase Analytics / ML throughput at scale.