cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ketamine modulates hippocampal neurochemistry and functional connectivity: a combined magnetic resonance spectroscopy and resting-state fMRI study in healthy volunteers.

Ketamine modulates hippocampal neurochemistry and functional connectivity: a combined magnetic resonance spectroscopy and resting-state fMRI study in healthy volunteers
Review: Landscape of Transformations: Architecture and Birmingham, Alabama by Michael W. Fazio; The Architectural Legacy of Wallace A. Rayfield, Pioneer Black Architect of Birmingham, Alabama by Allen R. Durough

Michael W. Fazio. Landscape of Transformations: Architecture and Birmingham, Alabama . Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 2010, 300 pp., 10 color and 111 b/w illus. $44.95, ISBN 9781572336872 Allen R. Durough. The Architectural Legacy of Wallace A. Rayfield, Pioneer Black Architect of Birmingham, Alabama . Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 2010, 176 pp., 159 b/w illus. $32.95, ISBN 9780817316839 Birmingham, Alabama, still struggles with the ghosts of the 1960s, when its name became synonymous with racial strife and injustice. Two new books deal with the city's complex legacy as manifested in its architecture. One is an architectural and landscape history of exceptional breadth and insight, the other an introduction to the city's premier early-twentieth-century African American architect. In Landscape of Transformations: Architecture and Birmingham, Alabama, Michael Fazio, emeritus professor of architecture at Mississippi State University, has produced an absorbing book, a nuanced and many-sided account of an evolving urban setting. The author quickly tells us what the book is not: “neither a guidebook nor a comprehensive survey of Birmingham's architecture” (xiii). Hence its subtitle, “Architecture and Birmingham,” rather than “Architecture of Birmingham.” The distinction is important. For Fazio, who combines the sensibilities of a social historian and cultural geographer with the eye of an architect, Birmingham's built environment and natural setting become the means by which to interpret its star-crossed history. This is a book much in the spirit of Peirce Lewis's 1975 study, New Orleans: The Making of an Urban Landscape. Key personalities, local and national events, and the physical landscape move in and out of a lively narrative like the actors and stage sets of a play, their interactivity crystallized through a skillful and judicious selection of signature buildings that help tell the Birmingham story. Within the narrow constraints of a purely architectural perspective, few if any of these structures would rise to a level of national significance. But in the hands of a scholar attuned to broader historical currents and to the associational …
Bioluminescent Monitoring of Microenvironmental Effects on Multiple Myeloma Engraftment In a Humanized Mouse Model

Abstract 1927 Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by clonal proliferation of CD138 + plasma cells in the bone marrow (BM) and remains an incurable disease. Recent identification of a rare population of MM cancer stem cells (MM CSC) is phenotypically similar to memory B cells (CD138 - CD34 - CD19 + ) but differs in that they have the self-renewal capacity within the BM and may be responsible for drug resistance. Preclinical testing of novel therapeutic strategies that target MM CSC requires animal models that closely resemble human disease and allow quantitative evaluation of the applied therapy. We have previously reported results on establishing a MM animal model by transplanting MM CSC from autologous mobilized peripheral blood of primary MM patients, transduced with lentiviral luciferase GFP (GLF) and transplanted intrahepatically (IH) into neonatal RAG2/gc double knock-out (RG-KO). Here we evaluate engraftment efficiency in consideration of BM microenvironment by comparing CD45+ human cell engraftment in mice transplanted either IH to neonates or intrafemorally (IF) to gamma-irradiated young adult mice. MM CSC were selected from isolated PBMC after Ficoll gradient centrifugation of fresh BM biopsy from two primary MM patients or from a human MM cell line, H929, followed by immunomagnetic bead depletion of CD34+ and CD138+ cells. The cells were transplanted into RG-KO mice ranging from 53,000 to 10 ⋀ 6 cells per mouse either IH or IF. Mice transplanted with GLF-transduced MM CSC were imaged with an in vivo imaging system (IVIS) to detect bioluminescent engraftment. Results showed that bioluminescence signal levels were detected in mice transplanted IF with 53,000 MM CSC per mouse even before 3 weeks by ventral view and as early as 5 weeks by lateral view. To date, tumor growth was only discovered in mice transplanted IH with 2 × 10 ⋀ 6 unselected MM PBMC from a fresh BM biopsy as early as 10 week post-transplantation. FACS analysis of these mice demonstrated successful engraftment with the presence of CD45 +, CD19 + and CD138 + population in tumor, bone marrow, spleen and liver. In addition, expression of clonal light chain restriction in myeloma cells confirmed myeloma engraftment. Future studies will focus on expression of genes involved in sonic hedgehog pathway as analyzed by PCR to confirm the self-renewal capacity. Moreover, investigations on the effect of B cell-activating factor (BAFF) in BM microenvironment by transplanting MM CSC into BAFFxRG-KO mice are in progress. Disclosures: Jamieson: Bristol-Meyers Squibb: Research Funding.
NIST Syndromic Surveillance Test Suite 2015 Edition

Objective The NIST Syndromic Surveillance Test Suite for 2015 Edition ONC certification testing was published in February 2016. Key information related to the purpose, development, and use of this conformance test tool is provided via snapshots on a poster. Introduction Details about the ONC 2015 Edition certification criteria for Syndromic Surveillance and the related NIST Test Suite were explained previously. We now provide an overview and key information regarding updates to the Test Suite and how it is designed to be used. Methods Snapshots are provided on a poster and are used by the presenter to explain the steps involved in developing the NIST Syndromic Surveillance Test Suite 2015 Edition, to show key features of and updates to the Test Suite, and to illustrate the relationship of the Test Suite to various releases of the PHIN Messaging Guide for Syndromic Surveillance. Results The NIST Syndromic Surveillance Test Suite for 2015 Edition ONC certification testing was published in February 2016. As the target stakeholders began using it and providing feedback, this tool and associated documentation were updated. The Test Suite is being used by test labs for ONC certification testing of health information technologies, by developers in preparation for certification testing, and ultimately by public health jurisdictions for on-boarding of provider organizations that need to submit surveillance data. Conclusions Automated conformance test tools enable validation of health information technologies’ ability to support the requirements published in the PHIN Messaging Guide for Syndromic Surveillance. Having this standard and the means to validate conformance helps drive the industry toward the level of interoperability needed to promote efficient reporting and utilization of syndrome-based public health surveillance information.
Near Field of an Axisymmetric Underexpanded Jet and an Adjacent Parallel Surface

An underexpanded axisymmetric jet exhausting across an adjacent rigid planar surface generates a unique flowfield that has received little attention in the literature. To date, most published resea...
Small-angle neutron scattering from labeled single-wall carbon nanotubes

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is used with the “high-concentration” method to extract single-particle scattering from single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The SWNT material was labeled by covalently attaching −C4H9 or −C4D9 groups by use of free radical chemistry. Mixtures of SWNT-C4H9 and SWNT-C4D9 were dispersed in D2O containing 1% sodium lauryl sulfate-d23 (SLS) by use of sonication. SLS matches the neutron contrast of D2O so that all of the SANS is due to the labeled SWNT. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that mass fractions of butyl groups attached to the SWNT-C4H9 and the SWNT-C4D9 were well matched. The scattering had a power law of −2.5, which is characteristic of a “particle” made of clustered SWNTs. The clustering seen in SWNT scattering is due to collections of SWNTs that do not exchange in a dynamic equilibrium with other nanotubes.
Mohs micrographic surgery and dermatopathology concordance; An analysis of 1421 Mohs cases over 17 years.

Abstract Background The success of Mohs micrographic surgery depends on the surgeon's ability to correctly interpret intraoperative frozen sections. Objective This retrospective study analyzed the rate of concordance between Mohs surgeons and dermatopathologists in reading slides from Mohs surgery cases. Methods A dermatopathologist reviewed all the frozen sections and the corresponding Mohs map for every 30 th Mohs case at a practice employing 6 different Mohs surgeons from 2001-2017. Cases in which the dermatopathologist and the Mohs surgeon disagreed on the interpretation were noted. Results The concordance rate between Mohs surgeons and dermatopathologists was 99.79%. The three discordant cases included one case each of squamous cell carcinoma, superficial basal cell carcinoma, and hypertrophic squamous cell carcinoma in situ. Limitations This analysis is limited to fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons and therefore may not be applicable to all physicians who perform Mohs. Conclusions Fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons show very high concordance with board-certified dermatopathologists in the accurate and precise interpretation of histology slides in the setting of Mohs micrographic surgery.
Diastolic wall strain is associated with incident heart failure in African Americans: Insights from the atherosclerosis risk in communities study

Abstract Background Increased left ventricular (LV) myocardial stiffness may be associated with impaired LV hemodynamics and incident heart failure (HF). However, an indicator that estimates LV myocardial stiffness easily and non-invasively is lacking. The purpose of this study was to determine whether diastolic wall strain (DWS), an echocardiographic estimator of LV myocardial stiffness, is associated with incident HF in a middle-aged community-based cohort of African Americans. Methods and results We investigated associations between DWS and incident HF among 1528 African Americans (mean age 58.5 years, 66% women) with preserved LV ejection fraction (EF ≥50%) and without a history of cardiovascular disease in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Participants with the smallest DWS quintile (more LV myocardial stiffness) had a higher LV mass index, higher relative wall thickness, and lower arterial compliance than those in the larger four DWS quintiles (p Conclusions DWS was independently associated with an increased risk of incident HF in a community-based cohort of African Americans. DWS could be used as a qualitative estimator of LV myocardial stiffness.
A framework to explore ethical issues when using big data analytics on the future networked internet of things

The networked future will generate a huge amount of data. With this in mind, using big data analytics will be an important capability that will be required to fully leverage the knowledge within the data. However, collecting, storing and analyzing the data can create many ethical situations that data scientists have yet to ponder. Hence, this paper explores some of the possible ethical conundrums that might have to be addressed within a big data network of the future project and proposes a framework that can be used by data scientists working within such a context. These ethical challenges are explored within an example of future networked vehicles. In short, the framework focuses on two high level ethical considerations that need to be considered: data related challenges and model related challenges.
Measurements and calculations of {sup 238}U(n, xn{gamma}) partial {gamma}-ray cross sections.

Absolute partial cross sections for production of 45 discrete $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays in the $^{238}\mathrm{U}(n,xn\ensuremath{\gamma})$ reactions with $x\ensuremath{\leqslant}4$ are reported for incident-neutron energies in the range $1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{MeV}l{E}_{n}l100\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{MeV}$. A germanium-detector array for $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray detection and the ``white''-neutron source at LANSCE∕WNR were used for the measurement. The energy of the incident neutrons was determined using the time-of-flight technique. The data are compared with previous measurements and with theoretical predictions up to ${E}_{n}=30\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{MeV}$ from the GNASH reaction model. The combination of experimental results with theoretical calculations provides a means to deduce the $^{238}\mathrm{U}(n,{n}^{\ensuremath{'}})$ reaction cross section.
12.2 Riverine Habitat Dynamics

The physical habitat template is a fundamental influence on riverine ecosystem structure and function. Habitat dynamics refers to the variation in habitat through space and time as the result of varying discharge and varying geomorphology. Habitat dynamics can be assessed at spatial scales ranging from the grain (the smallest resolution at which an organism relates to its environment) to the extent (the broadest resolution inclusive of all space occupied during its life cycle). In addition to a potentially broad range of spatial scales, assessments of habitat dynamics may include dynamics of both occupied and nonoccupied habitat patches because of process interactions among patches. Temporal aspects of riverine habitat dynamics can be categorized into hydrodynamics and morphodynamics. Hydrodynamics refers to habitat variation that results from changes in discharge in the absence of significant change of channel morphology and at generally low sediment-transport rates. Hydrodynamic assessments are useful in cases of relatively high flow exceedance (percent of time a flow is equaled or exceeded) or high critical shear stress, conditions that are applicable in many studies of instream flows. Morphodynamics refers to habitat variation resulting from changes to substrate conditions or channel/floodplain morphology. Morphodynamic assessments are necessary when channel and floodplain boundary conditions have been significantly changed, generally by relatively rare flood events or in rivers with low critical shear stress. Morphodynamic habitat variation can be particularly important as disturbance mechanisms that mediate population growth or for providing conditions needed for reproduction, such as channel-migration events that erode cutbanks and provide new pointbar surfaces for germination of riparian trees. Understanding of habitat dynamics is increasing in importance as societal goals shift toward restoration of riverine ecosystems. Effective investment in restoration strategies requires that the role of physical habitat is correctly diagnosed and that restoration activities address true habitat limitations, including the role of dynamic habitats.
Experimental Capabilities — Present and Future

The first purpose of this talk is to describe existing experimental capabilities for the study of (p,n) reactions at energies which are clearly in the direct-reaction regime. Due to the unification of (p,p), (p,n), (n,p) and (n,n) reactions under an isospin formalism some slight attention also will be given to (n,n) and (n,p) capabilities at appropriate energies.
Listening to Students: Voices From the Inner City

What do students in Catholic schools view as important aspects of their unique form of education? They want a safe environment for learning, caring and concerned teachers, high expectations for learning, responsibility and respect in the school community, and a clear sense of how school relates to success in life. This article describes a study which clearly documents student perceptions and values.
A Two-Stage Fault Location Identification Method in Multiarea Power Grids Using Heterogeneous Types of Data

This paper proposes a two-stage fault location method for multiarea power systems. It utilizes available heterogeneous types of data consisting of status data (i.e., discrete data) and analog data (i.e., continues data). A distributed casual model-based diagnosis method using P-invariant Petri nets is proposed that utilizes status data to find faulted sections. Each subsystem/area of multiarea power systems has its own diagnostic model and determines the diagnosis solution based on its local net, the local manifestations, and limited information exchange with the neighboring subsystems/areas. Once a short list of possible fault sections is determined, the second stage further improves the estimated fault location using analog data. The actual fault location is estimated by comparing the measured analog data with their associated calculated values in computer programs using short-circuit analysis algorithms. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed distributed fault location method can diagnose faults in multiarea power systems accurately.
Insights into photoreceptor ciliogenesis revealed by animal models

Photoreceptors are polarized neurons, with very specific subcellular compartmentalization and unique requirements for protein expression and trafficking. Each photoreceptor contains an outer segment, the site of photon capture that initiates vision, an inner segment that houses the biosynthetic machinery and a synaptic terminal for signal transmission to downstream neurons. Outer segments and inner segments are connected by a connecting cilium (CC), the equivalent of a transition zone (TZ) of primary cilia. The connecting cilium is part of the basal body/axoneme backbone that stabilizes the outer segment. This report will update the reader on late developments in photoreceptor ciliogenesis and transition zone formation, specifically in mouse photoreceptors, focusing on early events in photoreceptor ciliogenesis. The connecting cilium, an elongated and narrow structure through which all outer segment proteins and membrane components must traffic, functions as a gate that controls access to the outer segment. Here we will review genes and their protein products essential for basal body maturation and for CC/TZ genesis, sorted by phenotype. Emphasis is given to naturally occurring mouse mutants and gene knockouts that interfere with CC/TZ formation and ciliogenesis.
Karnofsky Performance Status Following Liver Transplantation in Patients With Multiple Organ Failures and Probable Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure.

Background & Aims Little is known about outcomes of patients who underwent liver transplantation for acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) and multiple organ failures. We compared Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) before and after liver transplantation among patients with different numbers of organ failures and probable ACLF. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of adults who underwent liver transplantation within 30 days of listing with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) network from January 1, 2006, through September 30, 2016. We determined the prevalence of organ failures using a modified version of the Chronic Liver Failure-Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scale and collected KPS scores at the time of transplantation and at intervals of 3 to 12 months after liver transplantation. Multivariate analyses were performed to adjust for confounders including UNOS region. Results At the time of liver transplantation, 2838 patients had no organ failure, 2944 had 1 to 2 organ failures, and 1342 patients had 3 or more organ failures. KPS scores following liver transplantation improved significantly in all groups; scores ranged from 81 in patients with no organ failure to 72 in patients with 5 to 6 organ failures. Excellent performance status (KPS score, ≥80) by 1 year after transplantation was achieved by 60% of patients with 5 to 6 organ failures, 64% to 66% of patients with 3 to 4 organ failures, and 70% to 71% of patients with 1 to 2 organ failures, compared with 72.5% of patients without organ failure. Patients with 1 to 4 organ failure were more likely to achieve KPS scores of 80 or more than patients without organ failure, after we adjusted for other covariates and UNOS region. In addition, black patients were less likely, and patients with alcoholic cirrhosis were more likely, to have KPS scores of 80 or more after liver transplantation. Conclusions In a retrospective cohort study of patients with probable ACLF who underwent liver transplantation within 30 days of listing with the UNOS network, 60% to 66% of patients with 3 or more organ failures achieved excellent performance 3 to 12 months later.
Empirical Analysis of Fixed Point Precision Quantization of CNNs

Image classification, speech processing, autonomous driving, and medical diagnosis have made Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) mainstream. Due to their success, many deep networks have been developed such as AlexNet, VGGNet, GoogleNet, ResidualNet [1]–[4],etc. Implementing these deep and complex networks in hardware is a challenge. There have been many hardware and algorithmic solutions to improve the throughput, latency and accuracy. Compression and optimization techniques help reduce the size of the model while maintaining the accuracy. Traditionally, quantization of weights and inputs are used to reduce the memory transfer and power consumption. Quantizing the outputs of layers can be a challenge since the output of each layer changes with the input. In this paper, we use quantization on the output of each layer for AlexNet and VGGNET16 sequentially to analyze the effect it has on accuracy. We use Signal to Quantization Noise Ratio (SQNR) to empirically determine the integer length (IL) as well as the fractional length (FL) for the fixed point precision. Based on our observations, we can report that accuracy is sensitive to fractional length as well as integer length. For AlexNet we observe deterioration in accuracy as the word length decreases. The results are similar in the case of VGGNET16.
Investigation of Energy Trapping of the Lateral Field Excited Thickness Shear Mode in AT-Cut Quartz Crystal Microbalances

Methods for improved energy trapping of the thickness shear mode (TSM) in quartz crystal microbalances (QCMs) under lateral field excitation (LFE) are presented. The dependencies of TSM resonant intensity and spurious mode presence on surface curvature and electrode geometry are analyzed for improved LFE QCM response. TSM resonance trend data are given for 6 MHz plano-convex uncoated wafers and electroded devices up to 6 diopters (D). The energy trapping concept is also extended to include electrical energy redistribution, which alters the active acoustic modes in LFE devices. Aspects of data on newly discovered metal-loaded LFE shear modes more intense than known LFE TSMs are presented. Variations of these metal-loaded device responses with surface curvature and metal layer thickness are reported. Butterworth-Van Dyke (BVD) equivalent circuit parameters are extracted for air- and metal-loaded response comparisons. The observed influences of acoustic and electrical energy trapping expand knowledge on the extent of LFE device capabilities and reveal implications for resonator applications.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Retinal Artery Occlusion: Nationally Representative Data.

Background and Purpose— There are few large studies examining comorbidities, outcomes, and acute interventions for patients with retinal artery occlusion (RAO). RAO shares pathophysiology with acut...
On the Economics and Process Design of Renewable Butadiene from Biomass-Derived Furfural

The catalytic conversion of biomass-derived furfural to 1,3-butadiene is a potential synthetic route to renewable rubber. In this work, we present and evaluate a conceptual process design consistin...
Resolution map in quantum computing: signal representation by periodic patterns

In this paper, a new concept of the resolution map is presented to extract periodic structures that compose the signal. The resolution map is described by using the frequency–time representation of the signal, which is known as the paired transform that provides the frequency-time representation of signals. The sequential calculation of resolution maps over the signal components of large sizes allows for calculating the small periodic structures, or patterns, which can be used for signal processing, for instance filtration, and from which the signal can be reconstructed. The length of the signal is considered to be a power of two, a case that fits well with qubit processing in quantum computing. The following new results are described: (1) the quantum scheme for the 1D discrete paired transform, (2) the quantum circuit for calculating the signal resolution map, (3) the quantum circuit for signal reconstruction from the resolution map, (4) different schemes for resolution maps for processing signals, and (5) the convolution of signals by their periodic patterns.
Detection of graft fibrosis by vibration-controlled transient elastography in pediatric liver transplant recipients.

Pediatric liver transplant recipients are at risk of developing graft fibrosis which can affect patient survival. VCTE is a non-invasive tool that measures LSM and has been shown to correlate with hepatic fibrosis. The aim of this study was to therefore evaluate the ability of LSM to predict fibrosis in pediatric liver transplant recipients with different graft types. We performed a cross-sectional study evaluating LSM of 28 pediatric liver transplant recipients who underwent a total of 20 liver biopsies within 1 month of LSM. LSM was compared to liver histology as well as graft type: WL or PL. The median LSM of all post-transplant patients was 5.6 kPa (range = 2.7-18.3). There was a statistically significant correlation between LSM and METAVIR fibrosis score (P = .001) and LAF score (P < .001). There was no difference in LSM between graft type (P = .088). The AUROC curve for LSM predicting any significant fibrosis (F ≥ 2) was 0.863. A cutoff value of 7.25 had a sensitivity of 71%, specificity of 100%, NPV of 87%, and PPV of 100% for significant fibrosis. LSM by VCTE is feasible in pediatric liver transplant recipients regardless of graft type. We found a significant correlation between LSM and hepatic fibrosis and established a cutoff value that may help determine which patients warrant further evaluation for graft fibrosis.
Effects of levetiracetam combined with sodium valproate on the efficacy, cognitive function and serum inflammatory factors in children with epilepsy

Objective To explore the effects of levetiracetam combined with sodium valproate on the efficacy, cognitive function and serum inflammatory factors in children with epilepsy. Methods From January 2015 to June 2017, a total of 120 children with diarrhea were selected as the subjects in our outpatient and inpatient department of Ningbo Women's and Children's Hospital.They were randomly divided into two groups according to the digital table, with 60 cases in each group.The control group was treated with sodium valproate alone, and the observation group was treated with levetiracetam combined with sodium valproate.The clinical efficacy, cognitive function and serum inflammatory factors were compared between the two groups. Results The total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(χ2=5.37, P<0.05). After treatment, the MOCA score and MMSE score of the two groups were significantly improved, which of the observation group improved significantly better than those of the control group(t=3.25, 2.63, all P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of serum hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF- in the observation group were significantly better than those of the control group(t=4.29, 5.68, 3.91, all P<0.05). Conclusion Levetiracetam combined with sodium valproate can significantly improve the clinical efficacy of children with epilepsy, improve cognitive function, reduce the levels of serum inflammatory factors in patients, and is conducive to disease rehabilitation, it is worthy of promotion. Key words: Epilepsy; Cognitive; Cytokines; Levetiracetam
Utilizing widely available podcasts to create a reflection activity for pharmacy students.

Abstract Background and purpose Creative strategies can be employed to encourage development of affective domain skills. The purpose of this article is to describe and assess the creation of a written self-reflection assignment utilizing podcasts. Educational activity and setting: Second year pharmacy students (N = 122) in a skills laboratory course completed two written reflections that asked them to: (1) examine and reflect on personal beliefs, biases, motivations and emotions that were challenged while listening to a podcast; and (2) identify knowledge, skills, and abilities of a pharmacist that may impact the situation presented in the podcast. Students chose from a list of podcasts curated by faculty and completed two 450 to 600-word reflections. Students completed a pre-post modified Questionnaire for Reflective Thinking (mQRT). A one-tailed, paired t-test was used to assess the mQRT. The post-questionnaire survey also included questions related to student perceptions of the reflections. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize student perceptions. Findings Out of 122 students, 116 (95.1%) completed both the pre- and post-mQRT and survey. The majority of students responded affirmatively that the reflections made them think about healthcare in a different way (91.4%) and challenged their beliefs/biases (81.9%). Students reported applying information from previous course material to the podcast concepts (75%) and vice versa (77.6%). Summary Assignments using podcasts are a unique way of engaging student learners. These assignments may help to assess affective educational outcomes and be a way to increase self-reflection, self-awareness, and metacognition in pharmacy students.
Black Women’s Politics Pre-Dating the Age of Trump

African American women as political actors stand at the crossroads of two politically marginalized groups—African Americans and women. Situated at the intersection of these two groups has historically meant limited access to citizenship and exclusion from “we the people.” Throughout history, African American women responded to these exclusions by contributing heartily to every mobilization toward greater equality for blacks and for women. Through maintaining strong ties to both the women’s movement and the black empowerment movement, African American women situated their politics between and across these struggles. African American women’s actions in recent elections as both voters who are credited with fueling “the resistance” to the Trump presidency and ushering in greater representation in the 116th congress as well as down ballot offices in the 2018 midterm elections. While most will situate their political participation as a response to the Trump era, I argue in this paper that African American women have across time stood as the vanguard of Black electoral politics as well as the main force advancing progressive politics. I draw upon the legacies of African American women working within and across movements for greater equality to envision a new progressive politics that centers African American women’s leadership.
Left Fractional Integral Inequalities of E.R. Love Type

Here first we derive a general reverse Minkowski integral inequality. Then motivated by the work of E.R. Love ([5], 1985) on integral inequalities we produce general reverse and direct integral inequalities. We apply these to ordinary and left fractional integral inequalities. The last involve ordinary derivatives, left Riemann–Liouville fractional integrals, left Caputo fractional derivatives, and left generalized fractional derivatives.
Patient-reported distress and age-related stress biomarkers among colorectal cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE Distress among cancer patients has been broadly accepted as an important indicator of well-being but has not been well studied. We investigated patient characteristics associated with high distress levels as well as correlations among measures of patient-reported distress and "objective" stress-related biomarkers among colorectal cancer patients. METHODS In total, 238 patients with colon or rectal cancer completed surveys including the Distress Thermometer, Problem List, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. We abstracted demographic and clinical information from patient charts and determined salivary cortisol level and imaging-based sarcopenia. We evaluated associations between patient characteristics (demographics, clinical factors, and psychosocial and physical measures) and three outcomes (patient-reported distress, cortisol, and sarcopenia) with Spearman's rank correlations and multivariable linear regression. The potential moderating effect of age was separately investigated by including an interaction term in the regression models. RESULTS Patient-reported distress was associated with gender (median: women 5.0, men 3.0, p < 0.001), partnered status (single 5.0, partnered 4.0, p = 0.018), and cancer type (rectal 5.0, colon 4.0, p = 0.026); these effects varied with patient age. Cortisol level was associated with "emotional problems" (ρ = 0.34, p = 0.030), anxiety (ρ = 0.46, p = 0.006), and depression (ρ = 0.54, p = 0.001) among younger patients. We found no significant associations between patient-reported distress, salivary cortisol, and sarcopenia. CONCLUSIONS We found that young, single patients reported high levels of distress compared to other patient groups. Salivary cortisol may have limited value as a cancer-related stress biomarker among younger patients, based on association with some psychosocial measures. Stress biomarkers may not be more clinically useful than patient-reported measures in assessing distress among colorectal cancer patients.
Contiguity and Structural Impacts of a Non-Myosin Protein within the Thick Filament Myosin Layers

Myosin dimers arranged in layers and interspersed with non-myosin densities have been described by cryo-EM 3D reconstruction of the thick filament in Lethocerus at 5.5 A resolution. One of the non-myosin densities, denoted the ‘red density’, is hypothesized to be flightin, an LMM-binding protein essential to the structure and function of Drosophila indirect flight muscle (IFM). Here, we build upon the 3D reconstruction results specific to the red density and its engagement with the myosin coiled-coil rods that form the backbone of the thick filament. Each independent red density winds its way through the myosin dimers, such that it links four dimers in a layer and one dimer in a neighboring layer. This area in which three distinct interfaces within the myosin rod are contacted at once and the red density extends to the thick filament core is designated the “multiface”. Present within the multiface is a contact area inclusive of E1563 and R1568. Mutations in the corresponding Drosophila residues (E1554K and R1559H) are known to interfere with flightin accumulation and phosphorylation in Drosophila. We further examine the LMM area in direct apposition to the red density and identified potential binding residues spanning up to ten helical turns. We find that the red density is associated within an expanse of the myosin coiled-coil that is unwound by the third skip residue and the coiled-coil is re-oriented while in contact with the red density. These findings suggest a mechanism by which flightin induces ordered assembly of myosin dimers through its contacts with multiple myosin dimers and brings about reinforcement on the level of a single myosin dimer by stabilization of the myosin coiled-coil.
High Prevelance Of Osteoporosis And Osteopenia In Adult Myasthenia Gravis Patients-A Pilot Study From An Academic Institution In Central Pennsylvania (P5.4-033)

Objective: To study prevalence of OP and Osteopenia for patients with Myasthenia gravis seen in an academic neuromuscular clinic in central Pennsylvania. Background: Osteoporosis (OP) and Osteopenia are largely under-diagnosed conditions. Scattered reports of prevalence of osteoporosis in patients with neurological disorders have been published. A mouse model study of osteoporosis has shown progressive trabecular bone loss with progression of neuromuscular conditions. Such data for OP and Osteopenia for patients seen in adult Myasthenia patients in the US, are lacking. Design/Methods: In this IRB approved retrospective study, thirty three consecutive adult patients with Myasthenia gravis, diagnosed by serology or SFEMG, after random scheduling, had baseline bone mineral density (BMD) test done from L spine and femur-necks at the onset of diagnosis. Eighteen were women and fifteen, men. Results: Five patients had Osteoporosis (15%); twelve had Osteopenia (36%), and sixteen five had normal (49%) BMD testing. Majority (51%) had an abnormal test.7 out of 15 men (47 %( and 10 out of 18 women (55%) had abnormal testing. Results were statistically significant. Conclusions: This study showed a surprising high prevalence of Osteoporosis and Osteopenia in patients with myasthenia gravis, independent of any known long term similar effects of prednisone therapy. Large multicenter studies are worth contemplating as this can turn out to be an undiagnosed pandemic. Plummeted quality of life, pain, and fractures can result from osteoporosis, which are potentially preventable if accurate and holistic diagnoses are made in a timely way. Disclosure: Dr. Bowling has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bandyopadhyay has nothing to disclose.
Approaches to Medical Student Outreach at Academic Radiation Oncology Programs.

Purpose/Objective(s) In recent years, there has been increasing interest, but minimal progress, in diversifying the radiation oncology (RO) workforce. The purpose of this study is to assess how RO programs affiliated with a medical school actively engage medical students who are either female, or from racial and ethnic demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in medicine. Our hypothesis is that outreach targeted specifically to female or minority medical students to stimulate interest in RO is relatively uncommon at most institutions. Materials/Methods An electronic survey was sent to all 83 RO residency program directors whose department is affiliated with an on-site medical school. Program directors could specify a faculty member more directly responsible for medical student activities to respond instead. The first set of questions assessed whether in the past two years faculty had given a presentation to an oncology (or RO) medical student interest group, or to student groups devoted to a specific subset of students like a Student National Medical Association (SNMA) chapter (which usually functions as a group for Black medical students), Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) chapter, or American Medical Women's Association (AMWA) chapter. The second set of questions assessed departments’ methods of promoting the ASTRO Minority Summer Fellowship Award within their medical school. The third set of questions assessed whether in the past two years faculty had given a presentation to any premedical student groups, or pipeline programs or other undergraduate groups focused on minority or female students. Descriptive statistics are reported. Results A representative from 54/83 programs responded (response rate 65%). Faculty from 83% of programs had given a presentation to an oncology (or RO) medical student interest group. However, only 18% had given a presentation to an SNMA chapter, 8% to an LMSA chapter, and 12% to an AMWA chapter. 15% of programs actively promote the ASTRO Minority Summer Fellowship to the general student body, 12% promote it to members of cancer interest groups, and 25% promote it to any minority students who express an interest in RO. 30% were unaware of this fellowship prior to this survey. Faculty from 22% of programs had given a presentation to a premedical student group, 10% to an undergraduate student group focused on minority or female students, and 20% to a pipeline program for high school (or younger) students focused on minority or female students. Conclusion The majority of academic RO departments with a residency program and affiliated medical school do not offer educational outreach specifically targeting women or minority students, or promote the ASTRO Minority Summer Fellowship. Prioritization of such activities should be considered if there is a desire to break from the status quo and attract a more diverse workforce.
The Role of Autophagy in Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency

In the classical form of alpha-1-antitrypsin (AT) deficiency, a mutant protein accumulates in the endoplasmic reticulum of liver cells, causing hepatic fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma by a gain-of-toxic function mechanism. Autophagy is specifically activated by the accumulation of mutant AT, and the autophagy plays a key role in intracellular degradation of this mutant protein. Our recent study indicates that an autophagy enhancer drug can decrease the hepatic load of mutant AT and reduce hepatic fibrosis in a mouse model of AT deficiency. In this chapter, we discuss what is known about autophagy in AT deficiency and methods for characterizing autophagy in cell lines and animal models.
The Empirics of the Digital Divide: Can Duration Analysis Help?

Accurate measurement of digital divides is important for policy purposes. Empirical studies on broadband subscription gaps have largely used cross-sectional data, which cannot speak to the timing of technological adoption. Yet, the dynamics of a digital divide are important and deserve study. With the goal of improving our understanding of appropriate techniques for analyzing digital divides, we review competing econometric methodology and propose the use of duration analysis. We compare the performance of alternative estimation methods using a large dataset on DSL subscription in the U.S., paying particular attention to whether women, blacks, and Hispanics catch up to others in the broadband adoption race. We conclude that duration analysis best captures the dynamics of the broadband gaps and can be a useful addition to the analytic tool box of digital divide researchers. Our results support the official collection of broadband statistics in panel form, where the same households are followed over time.
Use of Perfluorocarbon Liquids, Silicone Oil, and 5-Fluorouracil in the Management of Experimental PVR

Purpose: To evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in combination with perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene (Vitreon), silicone oil, or a combination of silicone oil and Vitreon in a ratio of 3:2 in the management of experimental proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Methods: Toxicity study. Seventy rabbit eyes underwent vitrectomy followed by intravitreal injection of 5-FU in doses of 800, 400, or 200 μg: Group 1, 5-FU alone; Group 2, 5-FU plus 1 mL Vitreon; Group 3, 5-FU plus 1 mL silicone oil; Group 4, 5-FU plus 0.6 mL silicone oil and 0.4 mL Vitreon; Group 5, 0.6 mL silicone oil plus 0.4 mL Vitreon. Electroretinography was performed preoperatively and 8 weeks postoperatively before the animals were sacrificed. Efficacy study. Seventy-two rabbit eyes underwent vitrectomy and were injected intravitreally with 100,000–200,000 retinal pigment epithelial cells to induce PVR. Groups were injected with 200 μg 5-FU alone or with 1 mL silicone oil, 1 mL Vitreon, or a combination of 0.6 mL silicone oil and 0.4 mL Vitreon. Others were given only 1 mL Vitreon or 1 mL silicone oil. The animals were followed for 8–12 weeks; PVR was graded using Fastenberg's system. Results: Toxicity study. Eyes given 200 μg 5-FU, silicone, and Vitreon showed mild inflammation and vitritis which resolved in 1 week; the dose was nontoxic by electroretinography and histopathology. Doses of 400 and 800 μg 5-FU were toxic. Efficacy study. Clinical severity of PVR was less in the groups which received 5-FU plus vitreous substitutes when compared to the control groups at all time points. The lowest incidences were in groups given 5-FU plus Vitreon or 5-FU plus Vitreon and silicone oil: 33.33% and 11.11%, respectively. Conclusions: A dose of 200 μg 5-FU with silicone oil and Vitreon combined was nontoxic to the rabbit retina. The combination of 5-FU, Vitreon, and silicone oil showed significant efficacy in the prevention of experimental PVR.
Robust and fast collaborative tracking with two stage sparse optimization

The sparse representation has been widely used in many areas and utilized for visual tracking. Tracking with sparse representation is formulated as searching for samples with minimal reconstruction errors from learned template subspace. However, the computational cost makes it unsuitable to utilize high dimensional advanced features which are often important for robust tracking under dynamic environment. Based on the observations that a target can be reconstructed from several templates, and only some of the features with discriminative power are significant to separate the target from the background, we propose a novel online tracking algorithm with two stage sparse optimization to jointly minimize the target reconstruction error and maximize the discriminative power. As the target template and discriminative features usually have temporal and spatial relationship, dynamic group sparsity (DGS) is utilized in our algorithm. The proposed method is compared with three state-of-art trackers using five public challenging sequences, which exhibit appearance changes, heavy occlusions, and pose variations. Our algorithm is shown to outperform these methods.
Coprime Factorization for Linear Time-Varying Systems

New results on coprime factorizations for continuous-time linear time-varying systems are presented. It is shown that a linear time-varying system admits a coprime factorization if and only if it is stabilizable and detectable, or if and only if it is internally stabilizable via dynamic output feedback. State-space formulae for coprime factorizations are given.
Solute sources and chemical weathering in the Owens Lake watershed, eastern California

[1] Chemical and strontium isotope analyses of solutes in a series of streams representing the bulk of the water reaching the ∼8500 km2 Owens Lake watershed provide a unique opportunity to evaluate factors that control stream chemistry on a regional scale. The streams drain terrain that is dominated by Mesozoic granitoids of the Sierra Nevada batholith but that also contains irregularly distributed roof pendants of Paleozoic metasedimentary sequences. Mass balance modeling indicates that plagioclase feldspar weathering is the dominant contributor to stream chemistry and that carbonate dissolution is also a significant source of solutes for most streams. The calculated ratio of plagioclase to carbonate is highly sensitive to the assumed weathering product of plagioclase (kaolinite versus smectite), and we suggest that the importance of carbonate could be exaggerated in cases where only the plagioclase-to-kaolinite reaction is considered. Strontium isotope (87Sr/86Sr) ratios range from 0.70685 to 0.71958, with a flow-weighted mean of 0.70911. To the extent that this value represents the water that would be flowing into Owens Lake (were it not diverted by the Los Angeles Aqueduct system), the flow-weighted mean 87Sr/86Sr ratio is consistent with ratios measured in Owens Lake core carbonates ranging in age up to 25 kyr. The overall Sr budget of the watershed is determined by the relative contributions of carbonate dissolution and plagioclase feldspar weathering and is dominated by reactions related to pyrite oxidation and hydrothermal fluid input from just two subbasins. The impact of these processes needs to be considered when modeling regional and global riverine Sr budgets. Climate-related shifts in the relative importance of silicate mineral weathering reactions appear to be only second-order effects on a regional scale.
Effects of low-frequency stimulation of the superior colliculus on spontaneous and visually guided saccades.

1. The first experiment of this study determined the effects of low-frequency stimulation of the monkey superior colliculus on spontaneous saccades in the dark. Stimulation trains, subthreshold for...