cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Language and compiler support for stream programs

Stream programs represent an important class of high-performance computations. Defined by their regular processing of sequences of data, stream programs appear most commonly in the context of audio, video, and digital signal processing, though also in networking, encryption, and other areas. Stream programs can be naturally represented as a graph of independent actors that communicate explicitly over data channels. In this work we focus on programs where the input and output rates of actors are known at compile time, enabling aggressive transformations by the compiler; this model is known as synchronous dataflow. We develop a new programming language, StreamIt, that empowers both programmers and compiler writers to leverage the unique properties of the streaming domain. StreamIt offers several new abstractions, including hierarchical single-input single-output streams, composable primitives for data reordering, and a mechanism called teleport messaging that enables precise event handling in a distributed environment. We demonstrate the feasibility of developing applications in StreamIt via a detailed characterization of our 34,000-line benchmark suite, which spans from MPEG-2 encoding/decoding to GMTI radar processing. We also present a novel dynamic analysis for migrating legacy C programs into a streaming representation. The central premise of stream programming is that it enables the compiler to perform powerful optimizations. We support this premise by presenting a suite of new transformations. We describe the first translation of stream programs into the compressed domain, enabling programs written for uncompressed data formats to automatically operate directly on compressed data formats (based on LZ77). This technique offers a median speedup of 15x on common video editing operations. We also review other optimizations developed in the StreamIt group, including automatic parallelization (offering an 11x mean speedup on the 16-core Raw machine), optimization of linear computations (offering a 5.5x average speedup on a Pentium 4), and cache-aware scheduling (offering a 3.5x mean speedup on a StrongARM 1100). While these transformations are beyond the reach of compilers for traditional languages such as C, they become tractable given the abundant parallelism and regular communication patterns exposed by the stream programming model. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Intraventricular Hemorrhage Is Associated with Early Hydrocephalus, Symptomatic Vasospasm, and Poor Outcome in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Objective We hypothesized that the subset of patients with early hydrocephalus following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage may represent a subset of patients with a more vehement inflammatory reaction to blood products in the subarachnoid space. We thus examined risk factors for early hydrocephalus and examined the relationship between early hydrocephalus and symptomatic vasospasm as well as clinical outcome. Methods We retrospectively analyzed all patients presenting to our institution with subarachnoid hemorrhage over a 7-year period. We examined for risk factors, including early hydrocephalus, for poor clinical outcome and symptomatic vasospasm. Results We found intraventricular hemorrhage to be strongly associated with the development of early hydrocephalus. In univariate analysis, early hydrocephalus was strongly associated with both poor functional outcome and symptomatic vasospasm. In multivariate analysis, intraventricular hemorrhage and tobacco use were associated with symptomatic vasospasm; intraventricular hemorrhage, intraparenchymal hemorrhage, and symptomatic vasospasm were associated with poor functional outcome. Conclusions We found that intraventricular hemorrhage was strongly associated with early hydrocephalus. Further exploration of the mechanistic explanation is needed, but we suggest this may be from a combination of obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid pathways by blood products and inflammation in the choroid plexus resulting in increased cerebrospinal fluid production. Further, we suggest that both early hydrocephalus and cerebral vasospasm may be parts of the overall inflammatory cascade that occurs with intraventricular hemorrhage and ultimately results in a poorer clinical outcome.
Alteration of AMPA Receptor-Mediated Synaptic Transmission by Alexa Fluor 488 and 594 in Cerebellar Stellate Cells.

Abstract The fluorescent dyes, Alexa Fluor 488 and 594 are commonly used to visualize dendritic structures and the localization of synapses, both of which are critical for the spatial and temporal integration of synaptic inputs. However the effect of the dyes on synaptic transmission is not known. Here we investigated whether Alexa dyes alter the properties of synaptic currents mediated by two subtypes of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) at cerebellar stellate cell synapses. In naive mice, GluA2-lacking AMPAR mediated synaptic currents displayed an inwardly rectifying current-voltage (I-V) relationship due to blockade by cytoplasmic spermine at depolarized potentials. We found that inclusion of 100 µM Alexa dye, but not 10 µM, in the pipette solution led to a gradual increase in the amplitude of EPSCs at +40 mV and a change in the I-V relationship, from inwardly rectifying to more linear. In mice exposed to an acute stress, AMPARs switched to GluA2-containing receptors and 100 µM Alexa 594 did not alter the I-V relationship of synaptic currents. Therefore, a high concentration of Alexa dye changed the I-V relationship of EPSCs at GluA2-lacking AMPAR synapses. Significance Statement: Fluorescent dyes are commonly used to visualize dendritic structure in live neurons and to study the spatial and temporal integration of synaptic inputs. Here we report that a high concentration of the fluorescent dyes Alexa Fluor 594 and 488 altered AMPA receptor-mediated currents. Both dyes changed the current - voltage relationship of calcium permeable AMPA receptors that lack the GluA2 subunit and reduced the EPSC amplitude. Given that the current - voltage relationship is a commonly used method to determine AMPA receptor subunit composition, the use of Alexa dyes at high concentrations is not suitable when studying AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission.
Oncogenes and growth factors in human lung cancer

SUMMARY We are only beginning to understand the importance of lung cancer tumor biology in relation to prognosis and response to therapy. Many of the biologic and genetic changes we have described are preliminary observations and require further confirmation before clinical use. However, information concerning three oncogenes may soon prove to be helpful in the clinical arena: the myc genes in SCLC, and the ras genes and c-erbB-2 in NSCLC. In general their presence identifies poor patient response to therapy and poor survival. These markers are currently being used in a clinical setting at some research centers, but are not recommended for general diagnostic or prognostic use without further confirmation of their utility. Incorporation of this information with that learned by standard staging procedures may result in improved understanding of patient prognosis and challenge current concepts of lung cancer treatment. For example, surgically resected stage I NSCLC patients may benefit from adjuvant therapy if found to have these adverse biologic factors, and require more stringent follow-up after therapy. Finally the understanding of the pathogenesis of lung cancer may enable the development of novel therapy directed against these growth pathways. Our ultimate goal is to derive a therapeutic and prognostic paradigm involving both molecular-genetic and clinical factors to arrive at an optimal staging model and treatment plan.
Entwicklung von Methoden für die Probenahme von Schadstoffhaltigen Böden und Sedimenten zur Bestimmung Flüchtiger Organischer Verbindungen

Fluchtige organische Verbindungen (FOV) wie z.B. Trichlorethan und Toluol sind oft von besonderem Interesse in Deponien mit gefahrlichen Abfallstoffen, die Schadstoffhaltige Boden und Sedimente enthalten. Weil viele FOV gesundheitsschadlich sind und die Sanierung von Grundstucken teuer ist, mussen die Entscheidungen uber das Ausmas der Belastung und der Sanierungsarbeiten auf der Grundlage von genauen Messungen der FOV getroffen werden. Es ist deshalb bedauerlich, das die Messung von FOV in Boden und Sedimenten mit einem negativen systematischen Fehler behaftet ist (d. h. gemessener < wirklicher Wert); eine wesentliche und schwierig erfasbare Fehlerquelle sind insbesondere die Verdunstungsverluste. Trotzdem gibt es bisher keine Standardmethode fur die Entnahme von Boden- und Sedimentproben fur FOS-Analysen. Stattdessen sind normalerweise eine Vielzahl verschiedener fundamentaler Verfahren bei der Entnahme von Bodenproben angewendet worden, obwohl in jungster Zeit bessere Materialien und verfeinerte Methoden entwickelt worden sind (z.B. spezielle Miniatur-Bodenkernzieher, Probesicherung im Feld in speziellen Ausstos- und Abfanggefasen, oder Losungsmittelimmersion im Feld). Es wird heute weitgehend anerkannt, das standardisierte Verfahren notwendig sind, bei denen die besonderen Eigenschaften und das Verhalten der FOV berucksichtigt werden, ebenso wie die haufig schwierigen Umstande, unter denen die Proben entnommen werden (z.B. nasses/kaltes Wetter, schmutzige/staubige Umgebung, gesundheitsgefahrdende Orte). Diese Abhandlung legt die wichtigsten Ergebnisse neuer Forschungs- und Entwicklungsarbeiten vor, die eine Standardisierung der Methoden fur die FOV-Probenahme zum Ziel hatten.
Contrasting Effects of Various Potassium Salts on Acid-Base Status, Urinary Citrate Excretion, and Renal Citrate Clearance

Recently, we have demonstrated that hypocitraturia is a common finding in patients with nephrolithiasis (1). Oral potassium citrate (K-Citrate) treatment has been effective in enhancing renal citrate excretion in such patients (2). The citraturic action of potassium citrate is believed to be the result of the alkali load provided, affecting the renal handling of citrate (2). However, there are data indicating that renal citrate metabolism is affected by bicarbonate ions separate from any action on blood pH (3). Potassium may also play a role in controlling renal citrate excretion since hypokalemia decreases urinary citrate excretion (4). Moreover, despite suggestions to the contrary, orally-administered citrate may theoretically increase urinary citrate by escaping metabolic degradation in vivo and appearing directly in the urine. This study was done in order to determine which of the above factors are responsible for the citraturic action of potassium citrate.
New insight into hot-electron-induced degradation of n-MOSFETs

The channel electric field is found to be as important as the substrate current in understanding hot-electron-induced (MOSFET) degradation. It is shown that only when the combined effect of the channel field and substrate current is considered can all the experimental results, covering a wide range of bias conditions, channel lengths, and oxide thickness, be fully accounted for. It is demonstrated that long-channel MOSFETs are still prone to hot-electron-induced degradation in analog circuits where a 10-V supply is used. A novel characterization methodology to ensure hot-electron reliability in various types of circuits is presented. >
Economy-wide impacts of promising maize and wheat technologies on food security and welfare in Kenya

A recursive dynamic economy-wide model incorporating productivity changes due to the introduction of promising maize and wheat varieties evaluates foresights for future food security, well-being and economic performance in Kenya. Adoption of promising new maize and wheat varieties not only increases overall economic growth and food availability, it also reduces import dependency and increases the welfare of vulnerable populations, especially rural households in lowland regions. Although maize-producing rural households in the highlands do not gain in terms of real incomes because of declining land income, they benefit from the increased food consumption stimulated by lower food prices. Promising maize technologies will have positive spill-over effect on all crops, mainly on wheat, and have larger positive impact on food security than the expected productivity change from the current promising wheat varieties. Although the lowland economy does not benefit from the adoption of new crop technologies, rural households in this region benefit the most in terms of increases in food and non-food consumption. The welfare gain in terms of food security is further amplified when technological change for the two crops is complemented by a reduction in the marketing costs, which facilitates market access for the increased surplus and further reduces domestic prices. With low marketing costs resulting from reduced trade and transport margins for these two crops, even highland maize producing households experience an increase in real income and the demand for both food and non-food commodities increase substantially, generating significant linkages between agriculture and other sectors.
More than birds: Loss and reconnection at the National Museum of Natural History

ABSTRACTThis essay draws on correspondence between Smithsonian Institution curators and Edgar Alexander Mearns, an army surgeon who served in the Philippines during the first decade of the twentieth century, in order to explore ideas about loss in natural history collections. Beneath the appearance of abundance in these collections lies a constant concern with loss, not simply with the loss of specimens to spoil and slippage, but also with the loss of data and sometimes the loss of opportunities to acquire and describe new material. I explore the ways curators considered loss historically but also the ways that reconnecting natural history specimens and field books today offer possibilities for repairing some of these losses and more fully understanding the historical and cultural context of collection.
Brainstem Cholinergic Systems

The brainstem is home to several cholinergic cell groups. These include the cranial nerve motor nuclei, the cholinergic neurons of the medial habenula and those located in the parabigeminal nucleus. By far the largest population of cholinergic neurons in the brainstem belongs to the reticular activating system. Divided into two groups, these cholinergic neurons are centered around the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (pedunculotegmental nucleus) and the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus. Unlike other cholinergic cell groups within the brainstem, those in the reticular activating system have long and widespread projections and provide the primary cholinergic innervation of the thalamus and components of the extrapyramidal motor system. Consistent with their location and projection patterns, these neurons are involved in the processing of arousal and attention, sleep, and motor control.
Game-Based Learning and Information Literacy: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Determine the Efficacy of Two Information Literacy Learning Experiences

In the 21st century, students have access to a plethora of information. As such, the skills required to access and effectively sort through this information information literacy skills become ever more important for success in both academic and non-academic settings. This study sought to assess the efficacy of two educational games designed to increase high school students' information literacy skills. Using a randomized controlled trial in a high school setting, the games were integrated into a standard curriculum and tested for efficacy. Post-test results indicated that both games effectively transmit targeted skills. Additionally, improved performance relative to controls on end-of-instruction testing EOI; end-of-year state testing suggest that these skills transfer across important academic domains. The study provides strong evidence to support the use of these two educational games to supplement and enhance information literacy instruction.
The patient as consumer watchdog.

For better and worse, the roles of doctor shopper and patient watchdog will likely remain prominent and vexing features of American patienthood for decades to come.
Biological Agent Detection Technology

Nature, for a variety of evolutionarily-driven reasons, has produced a wide variety of remarkably dangerous organisms and toxins which are lethal to humans and for which we have few early warning sentinels. Biological agents derived from these have been developed as weapons of mass destruction and represent the primary strategic threat to the United States. Unlike conventional or chemical munitions, pathogenic agents such as bacteria and viruses are self-replicating (although viruses must use their host’s genetic machinery), hence very small initial quantities could be used in an attack and the effect amplified by secondary infection. They are easy to produce with commercially available cell culture and fermentation equipment and can be manufactured by countries and groups with relatively unsophisticated scientific capabilities. The ubiquity and small size of biomanufacturing equipment makes verification the technical and operational equivalent of finding a needle in a haystack. Recent technical advances have compounded these issues.
Community involvement, trust, and health-related outcomes among older adults in India: a population-based, multilevel, cross-sectional study.

Objectives this study examined whether individual and contextual measures of structural and cognitive social capital were associated with six health-related outcomes across older adults in India. Methods data were collected from a representative sample of adults aged 60 and above across India in 2011-12 (n = 9,174). Personal community involvement and having someone to trust represented individual measures of structural and cognitive social capital. These measures were then aggregated to represent contextual measures of social capital, that is, the mean village level of community involvement and the village proportion having someone to trust. To examine associations between all four social capital indicators and six outcomes including self-rated health, psychological well-being, subjective well-being, memory, activities of daily living (ADL), and instrumental activities of daily living, we fit pooled, sex-stratified, and place-stratified multilevel regression models and adjusted for demographic and socio-economic factors. Results personal community involvement was positively associated with all outcomes among the full sample. Adjusted odds ratios ranged from 1.05 (95% CI 1.02; 1.08) for good self-rated health to 1.42 (95% CI 1.33; 1.53) for high-ADL function. Personally having someone to trust was associated with four outcomes. Village-level social capital measures were less frequently associated with outcomes than personal social capital measures. Association strength between six health-related outcomes and individual and contextual measures of structural and cognitive social capital varied, however, among older people in India by sex, place and outcome. Discussion interventions to promote healthy ageing by increasing community involvement and trust may need to be tailored to population subgroups.
Photoinduced Tyrosine Side Chain Fragmentation in IgG4-Fc: Mechanisms and Solvent Isotope Effects.

Immunoglobulin gamma (IgG) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are glycoproteins that have emerged as powerful and promising protein therapeutics. During the process of production, storage and transportation, exposure to ambient light is inevitable, which can cause protein physical and chemical degradation. For mechanistic studies of photodegradation, we have exposed IgG4-Fc to UV light. The photoirradiation of IgG4-Fc with monochromatic UVC light at λ = 254 nm and UVB light with λmax = 305 nm in air-saturated solutions revealed multiple photoproducts originating from tyrosine side chain fragmentation at Tyr300, Tyr373, and Tyr436. Tyr side chain fragmentation yielded either Gly or various backbone cleavage products, including glyoxal amide derivatives. A mechanism is proposed involving intermediate Tyr radical cation formation, either through direct light absorption of Tyr or through electron transfer to an initial Trp radical cation, followed by elimination of quinone methide. Product formation showed either n...
Learning Networks of Stochastic Differential Equations

We consider linear models for stochastic dynamics. To any such model can be associated a network (namely a directed graph) describing which degrees of freedom interact under the dynamics. We tackle the problem of learning such a network from observation of the system trajectory over a time interval T. We analyze the l1-regularized least squares algorithm and, in the setting in which the underlying network is sparse, we prove performance guarantees that are uniform in the sampling rate as long as this is sufficiently high. This result substantiates the notion of a well defined 'time complexity' for the network inference problem.
Tensor Mixed Effects Model With Application to Nanomanufacturing Inspection

Raman mapping technique has been used to perform in-line quality inspections of nanomanufacturing processes. In such an application, massive high-dimensional Raman mapping data with mixed effects i...
Sustained release of vitamin C from PCL coated TCP induces proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast cells and suppresses osteosarcoma cell growth.

Abstract The objective of this study is to understand the effect of sustained release of vitamin C from β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) scaffold on proliferation, viability and differentiation of human fetal osteoblast cells (hFOB). The influence of pH, drug concentration, and presence of polymer on the sustained release of vitamin C from polycaprolactone (PCL) coated β-TCP scaffolds are studied. Prolonged and sustained release of vitamin C, over 60 days is observed in PCL coated β-TCP scaffolds compared to uncoated scaffolds. Presence of PCL helps to minimize the burst release of vitamin C from β-TCP scaffolds in the initial 24 h of release. To evaluate the osteogenic potential of vitamin C incorporated β-TCP scaffolds, osteoblast cells are cultured and cell morphology, proliferation, viability, and differentiation are assessed. Morphological characterization shows layer like osteoblast cell attachment in the presence of vitamin C compared to the control. MTT cell viability assay shows 2 folds increase in osteoblast cell density in the presence of vitamin C after 3,7 and 11 days of culture. Furthermore, increased ALP activity at 11 days of culture indicates the possible role of vitamin C on osteoblast differentiation. Additionally, a preliminary study shows vitamin C loaded scaffolds suppress osteosarcoma (MG-63) cell proliferation to 4 folds after 3 days compared to control. These results show a sustained release of vitamin C from PCL coated β-TCP scaffolds improve proliferation, viability, and differentiation of osteoblasts cell as well as mitigate osteosarcoma cell proliferation, suggesting its potential application as synthetic bone graft substitutes in tissue engineering application.
Loss of Balance: Destructive Legal Mechanisms Within USA Gymnastics Policy and their Contributions to a Toxic and Abusive Environment

Since the 1980’s, USA Gymnastics has emerged as a producer of Olympic champions, international success, and athletic excellence. However, with that growing dominance came a network of sexual abuse perpetuated among individuals at all levels of the organization. This paper seeks to examine the way in which USA Gymnastics allowed such abuse to continue and thrive by creating a system in which athletes were discriminated against in their inability to come forward without fear of retribution. I analyzed the rules and legal mechanisms in place within the organization and how they might prevent athletes and/or their coaches from wishing to come forward. I also sought out instances in which these rules were put into practice or warped for the benefit of abusers and enablers. Ultimately, my research showed that the hierarchy of the organization and the rules it enforced were structured in a way that any athlete wishing to report abuse had to risk being ostracized or not taken seriously. In addition, there were many discreet elements embedded in the culture of the organization, and the sport as a whole, that contributed to a toxic atmosphere that was wholly not conducive to safety and fairness in the practice of reporting abuse.
Power Analysis for Two-Level Multisite Randomized Cost-Effectiveness Trials.

Cost-effectiveness analysis is a widely used educational evaluation tool. The randomized controlled trials that aim to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the treatment are commonly referred to as r...
Dosimetry for FLASH Radiotherapy: A Review of Tools and the Role of Radioluminescence and Cherenkov Emission

While spatial dose conformity delivered to a target volume has been pushed to its practical limits with advanced treatment planning and delivery, investigations in novel temporal dose delivery are unfolding new mechanisms. Recent advances in ultra-high dose radiotherapy, abbreviated as FLASH, indicate the potential for reduction in healthy tissue damage while preserving tumor control. FLASH therapy relies on very high dose rate of > 40Gy/sec with sub-second temporal beam modulation, taking a seemingly opposite direction from the conventional paradigm of fractionated therapy. FLASH brings unique challenges to dosimetry, beam control, and verification, as well as complexity of radiobiological effective dose through altered tissue response. In this review, we compare the dosimetric methods capable of operating under high dose rate environments. Due to excellent dose-rate independence, superior spatial (~<1 mm) and temporal (~ns) resolution achievable with Cherenkov and scintillation-based detectors, we show that luminescent detectors have a key role to play in the development of FLASH-RT, as the field rapidly progresses towards clinical adaptation. Additionally, we show that the unique ability of certain luminescence-based methods to provide tumor oxygenation maps in real-time with submillimeter resolution can elucidate the radiobiological mechanisms behind the FLASH effect. In particular, such techniques will be crucial for understanding the role of oxygen in mediating the FLASH effect.
Hours Constraints, Occupational Choice, and Gender: Evidence from Medical Residents

Do the long work hours required by many high-paying professions inhibit the entry of women? I investigate this question by studying a 2003 policy that capped the average workweek for medical residents at 80 hours. Using data on the universe of U.S. medical school graduates, I find that when a specialty reduces its weekly hours, more women enter the specialty, whereas there is little change in men’s entry. I provide some evidence that the reform increases a specialty’s female fertility rate, implying that women’s career paths diverge from men’s in part because long work hours differentially constrain female fertility timing.
Recombination of N4(+) ions with electrons

Using a modified high-pressure-afterglow/mass spectrometer apparatus similar to that described by Lee and Johnsen (1989), spectroscopic observations of afterglow helium plasmas, with N2 as a minor additive, were carried out in order to verify the mechanism suggested by Bates (1991) for dissociative recombination of electrons with N4(+) ions. It was found that dissociative recombination of electrons with N4(+) ions results in the formation of N2 molecules in the C 3Pi(u) (v = 0,1) state, with the recombination rate coefficient of (2.6 +/- 0.3) x 10 exp -6 cu cm/sec at 300 K.
Abstract C015: Cardiovascular disease and health-related quality of life among African American and white cancer survivors

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is common among cancer survivors and is a leading cause of death among survivors of several forms of cancer. Race disparities exist in the prevalence of several forms of CVD, and these may have implications for the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of cancer survivors. The current study estimates the association between several forms of CVD and HRQOL among a diverse cohort of cancer survivors. Methods: This analysis was conducted using data from 979 participants (574 African American, 405 white) with female breast, colorectal, lung, or prostate cancer in the Detroit Research On Cancer Survivors (ROCS) pilot study who were diagnosed and/or treated at the Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit, Michigan. The analyses were conducted using linear regression with binary measurements of five different forms of CVD included in the ROCS pilot survey (self-reported history of congestive heart failure (CHF), myocardial infarction (MI), hypertension, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), and stroke) as predictors of HRQOL measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – General (FACT-G), controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and cancer-related characteristics. We also tested for effect modification by race. Results: FACT-G scores were 2.2 (95% CI: -4.3, 0.0) points lower among cancer survivors who were diagnosed with any type of CVD compared to those who were not. This association did not differ by race (Pinteraction=0.25). FACT-G scores were somewhat lower among survivors diagnosed with hypertension [-1.9; 95% confidence interval (CI): -4.1, 0.1], MI (-4.1; 95% CI: -8.4, 0.2), CHF (-3.7; 95% CI: -8.2, 0.9), or stroke (-4.0; 95% CI: -8.5, 0.5); however, the magnitude of these differences was not clinically meaningful and the findings did not reach statistical significance. History of MI was associated with clinically meaningful differences in HRQOL among African American (-6.1; 95% CI: -11.3, -0.8) but not white survivors (-0.4, 95% CI: -7.9, 7.2; Pinteraction=0.15). Conclusions: Overall, any type of CVD was not associated with meaningful differences in HRQOL among cancer survivors. Our finding that history of MI was associated with clinically meaningful differences in HRQOL among African American survivors, but not white, could represent an opportunity for future efforts to improve survivors’ HRQOL. Citation Format: Jaclyn M. Kyko, Jennifer L. Beebe-Dimmer, Tara E. Baird, Ann G. Schwartz, Theresa A. Hastert. Cardiovascular disease and health-related quality of life among African American and white cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2019 Sep 20-23; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl_2):Abstract nr C015.
Original Nation Approaches to Inter-National Law (ONAIL)

The analysis of the theoretical tenets of Original Nation Approaches to Inter-National Law (ONAIL) is the focus of this chapter. It examines “state-building” and “nation-destroying” projects, including the Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS); supranational institutions of legal decision-making such as the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and the Permanent Court of Arbitration, whose rulings have commodified the environment and ecosystems as “property,” prioritizing corporate profits over the rights and welfare of the nation. Also examined are biopiracy and biocolonialism, in which indigenous bodies and knowledge have been expropriated as a form of intellectual property rights; and the Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA), in which the presence of foreign armed personnel and military bases in the host state has led to the environmental destruction of cultural and biodiversity of the nation.
Findings Identifying How Administrative Leaders Might Recruit, Select, Train, Motivate, and Support Online Faculty

This study is a phenomenological study exploring faculty experiences teaching online coursework in master's programs in education. The study sought to understand and categorize learning factors that might produce stress and job burnout in the online instructional environment. In addition, the demands, expectations, and associated stress-producing factors in the online instructional environment were examined to distinguish best practices for online faculty. Moreover, attributes required by faculty best suited for the expectations and demands in distance learning were classified. Online faculty perspectives with teaching experience in the modality for three or more years generated the study's findings and insights. Stakeholders such as administrators, faculty trainers, faculty mentors, and faculty interested in employment in distance learning may find these insights useful to identify realistic criteria to base future decisions about teaching online, employment practices, hiring standards, and training opportunities. Insights about best practices, standards, and procedures have been articulated to assist in the development of administrative decisions, initial training programs, faculty mentor supports, and on-going faculty training.
Nicotine promotes survival of NSCLC cells in the presence of anti-tumor agents

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 46, 2005 5243 Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) are expressed in the airway. Nicotine is present in pharmacological doses in the airway and serum of individuals exposed to tobacco smoke and may potentially modulate disease processes caused by tobacco exposure. Furthermore, nicotine has been reported to cause AKT activation in airway epithelial cells. In this study, we determined that non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells express nAChR that are functional and that nicotine initiates cell signaling and promotes survival of these cells in the presence of two anti-tumor agents. Using immunoblotting in 3 NSCLC cell lines we found protein expressed for the α1, β1, and δ nAChR subunits at 55 KD, 58.7 KD, and 54.7 KD, respectively. These subunits, along with the e subunit, which was detected by RT-PCR, form a functional muscle-type receptor. We also found that one NSCLC cell line expressed protein for a neuronal-type α3/β2 receptor. Interestingly, although we found mRNA for the α7 subunit in all 3 cell lines, we did not detect protein for this subunit. Using immunohistochemistry in NSCLC tissues from 18 patients, we determined that the β1 subunit was uniformly expressed, but the α7 subunit was not, indicating preferential expression of the muscle-type protein in NSCLC tissues and cells. We further found that exposure of a squamous cell carcinoma cell line to nicotine between 1 and 100 μM triggered an influx of calcium. To determine the significance of these findings, we examined the ability of nicotine to activate signaling pathways commonly associated with cancer. By immunoblotting using phospho-specific antibodies, we found an increase in the phosphorylation status of MAPK (p42/44) and AKT after exposure to 10 μM nicotine. Increased phosphorylation is consistent with increased activity of the associated signaling pathways. MAPK and AKT were highest between 5 and 15 minutes after treatment, at 1.5 and 2 fold over control, respectively, and returned to basal levels by 60 minutes. Finally, we treated cells with 1 or 10 μM nicotine and either 40 μM gefitnib or 5 μM cis-platinum for 48 hours and determined the relative cell survival after each treatment compared to cells treated with anti-tumor agents alone. We found that 1 or 10 μM nicotine increased cell survival during gefitnib treatment from 15% to either 32% or 47%, respectively (p=0.04, p=0.003 in 2 independent experiments, each in triplicate). The same doses of nicotine also increased survival of cis-platinum treated cells from 41% to 80% or 83%, respectively (p=0.002, p<0.001 in 1 independent experiment done in triplicate). These data indicate that the muscle-type nAChR, rather than the α7-type, is frequently present on NSCLC cells, is functional and activates signaling pathways important in survival. Exposure to nicotine through tobacco or smoking cessation products may decrease the efficacy of therapies directed at lung cancer. Supported by Lung SPORE grant P50CA90440 to the U. Pittsburgh.
Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) neurons: mechanism of pulsatile LHRH release.

Abstract Many types of neurons and glia exhibit oscillatory changes in membrane potentials and cytoplasmic Ca 2+ concentrations. In neurons and neuroendocrine cells an elevation of intracellular Ca 2+ concentration is associated with neurosecretion. Since both oscillatory membrane potentials and intracellular Ca 2+ oscillations have been described in primary LHRH neurons and in GT1 cells, it is evident that an endogenous pulse-generator/oscillator is present in the LHRH neuron in vitro . The hourly rhythms of LHRH neurosecretion appear to be the synchronization of a population of LHRH neurons. How a network of LHRH neurons synchronizes their activity, i.e., whether by the result of synaptic mechanisms or electrical coupling through gap junctions or through a diffusible substance(s), remains to be clarified. Even though LHRH neurons themselves possess an endogenous pulse-generating mechanism, they may be controlled by other neuronal and nonneuronal elements in vivo . NE, NPY, glutamate, and GABA are neurotransmitters possibly controlling pulsatile LHRH release, and NO, CAMP, and ATP may be diffusible substances involved in pulsatile LHRH release without synaptic input. Although synaptic inputs to the perikarya of LHRH neurons could control the activity of LHRH neurons, a line of evidence suggests that direct neuronal and nonneuronal inputs, especially those from astrocytes to LHRH neuroterminals, appear to be more important for pusatile LHRH release.
H(2)-CO(2) Recirculation and pH Control for Growth of Methanogens in Mass Culture.

We modified a fermentor (10-liter liquid volume) for the growth of anaerobic, H2-CO2-catabolizing bacteria. Gas in the fermentor (ca. 10% CO2, 50% H2, 40% CH4) was recirculated by a diaphragm pump. During growth, the gas composition was maintained by the addition of a mixture of 80% H2 and 20% CO2, and this addition was controlled by a pH auxostat. During gas addition, gas was discharged from the recirculating gas stream and was collected by the displacement of an acidified salt solution.
Abstract 12809: Pre-Procedural Aortic Valve Area Predicts Degree of Thrombocytopenia Following Trans-Catheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Introduction: Thrombocytopenia (TP) has been described following percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), but only recently noted following trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). While transient, the TP may be severe leading to increased bleeding. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing TAVI with either a 23mm or 26mm Edwards Sapien valve (Edward Lifesciences, Irvine, California) at our institution.. The effect of multiple independent variables on % platelet change after TAVI were analyzed using paired and unpaired T-tests, two-way ANOVA, and Chi-square tests as appropriate. Platelet % change was correlated with aortic valve area using Pearson correlation. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 33 patients (54.5% male, median age 79.3, mean valve area 0.76 cm2) were included in this analysis. The degree of aortic valve stenosis significantly correlated with post-proced...
Directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells to epidermal progenitors

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells can differentiate into virtually all somatic cell types. In order to incorporate these derivatives into scientific or clinical applications, efficient methods of directing hES cell differentiation to pure subpopulations are required. Here we describe a robust strategy for generating cytokeratin 14+ (K14+)/p63+ keratinocyte progenitors from hES cells through stage-specific application of retinoic acid (RA) and bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4). Induction of undifferentiated hES cells with RA stimulates expression of epithelial genes such as K18 and p63. Subculture of RA-treated cells in defined keratinocyte medium enables isolation of relatively pure K14+ epithelial populations; these cells also retain the capacity to terminally differentiate. The use of defined media throughout differentiation allows for detailed characterization of keratinocyte lineage specification from hES cells through the use of gene expression and immunofluorescence analyses.
Recent Developments in Fully-Integrated RF Self-Interference Cancellation for Frequency-Division and Full-Duplex Radios

RF self-interference cancellation (SIC) relaxes duplexer isolation requirements in frequency- division-duplex (FDD) radios, enabling compact/tunable duplexers. RF SIC is also critical for full-duplex radios where extremely-high levels of SIC must be achieved, necessitating SIC at various points in the receiver chain. While active RF SIC is potentially compact and highly reconfigurable, the use of active circuitry in the canceller introduces noise, distortion and power dissipation challenges. Furthermore, and particularly for fully-integrated silicon-based SIC implementations, the bandwidth (BW) of RF SIC is limited by the frequency selectivity of the antenna interface and the wireless self-interference channel. In this paper, we present recent developments in fully-integrated RF SIC techniques that address these challenges.
Newton polyhedra, unstable faces and the poles of Igusa’s local zeta function

In this paper we examine when the order of a pole of Igusa's local zeta function associated to a polynomial f is smaller than expected. We carry out this study in the case that f is sufficiently non-degenerate with respect to its Newton polyhedron Γ(f), and the main result of this paper is a proof of one of the conjectures of Denef and Sargos. Our technique consists in reducing our question about the polynomial f to the same question about polynomials f μ , where μ are faces of Γ(f) depending on the examined pole and f μ is obtained from f by throwing away all monomials of f whose exponents do not belong to μ. Secondly, we obtain a formula for Igusa's local zeta function associated to a polynomial f μ , with μ unstable, which shows that, in this case, the upperbound for the order of the examined pole is obviously smaller than expected.
Regulation of Megakaryopoiesis in Long-Term Murine Bone Marrow Cultures

Megakaryocytes and their precursor cells were sustained in mouse bone marrow suspension cultures for over 4–6 wk. Megakaryocyte precursor cells were detected by their capacity to form colonies of megakaryocytes in semisolid agar cultures. Colony formation was dependent on the presence of medium conditioned by a myelomonocytic leukemic cell line (WEHI-3CM). Megakaryocytes from the liquid and semisolid cultures were identified by cytoplasmic acetylcholine esterase and by ultrastructural analysis. The suspension medium from the bone marrow liquid cultures which sustained megakaryopoiesis was not directly acitive in stimulating megakaryocyte colony formation in the semisolid agar cultures, but potentiated the number of colonies detected when WEHI-3CM was present. Bone marrow-conditioned medium increased the sensitivity of megakaryocyte progenitor cells to the stimulus in WEHI-3CM. Addition of the activities present in the two sources produced a quantitative assay for the detection of mouse megakaryocyte progenitor cells. These studies showed: (1) that no inductive regulator of in vitro clones of megakaryocytes was present in the supernatants from the long-term marrow cultures and, (2) that at least two factors were necessary for the induction of megakaryocyte progenitors to proliferate and differentiate in semisolid cultures in vitro.
The Response of Social Work to the Multicultural Reality in the United States: Reflections and Implications for Taiwanese Social Work

The multicultural reality in the United States entails a harsh reality of oppressions and various forms of socio-economic injustice. The evolution of policies in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) represents a shift of recognition and response to this phenomenon. There has been increasing concern in academia for the importance and urgency of enhancing multicultural competence of social work practitioners. This paper introduces and critiques existing NASW and CSWE policies relating to multicultural competence in social work practice and evaluates various conceptual models on multicultural social work practice and education. Implications for Taiwanese multicultural social work education and practices are provided.
Highly-efficient and versatile fluorous-tagged Cu(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition ligand for preparing bioconjugates

A novel ligand (FBTTBE) for Cu(i)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) has been developed, which demonstrates not only superior catalytic efficiency but also the ease of removing toxic copper species. FBTTBE has also been successfully applied in the synthesis of radiometal-labeled peptide and antibody without observable transchelation with the non-radioactive Cu(i) catalyst.
Autonomy of nurse practitioners in primary care: An integrative review

Purpose This integrative review of the existing literature was conducted to identify dimensions related to nurse practitioner (NP) autonomy and to recommend future areas of research related to the important topic of NP autonomy in this era of cost-conscious healthcare reform. Data sources Articles were identified from the following databases: CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, Ovid, Scopus, Google Scholar, and EBSCO. Conclusion Over 24 articles were found; 12 peer-reviewed articles met the inclusion criteria of research conducted with NPs, physicians, and patients. The results revealed three categories of association with regard to NP autonomy: job satisfaction, patient satisfaction, and physician–NP collaboration. Implications for practice This review was undertaken to advance understanding of autonomy among NPs and the dynamics involved in their delivery of care. Further research into the associations between NP autonomy and its dimensions are necessary to indicate a future direction to the NP role.