cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calcification of the tricuspid anulus diagnosed by two-dimensional echocardiography

An 84-year-old female who previously underwent repair of an atrial septal defect had evidence of increased reflectiveness of the posterior tricuspid anulus in the apical four-chamber view and the right ventricular two-chamber view. In addition, the inferior vena cava was dilated and during contrast echocardiography, contrast echoes appeared during systole suggesting tricuspid regurgitation. Tricuspid annular calcification was confirmed by fluoroscopic examination. Tricuspid annular calcification is extremely rare and in the present series occurred in 1 of 80 patients with mitral annular calcification. Lateral resolution echoes from a calcified aortic valve and echoes originating from a calcified right coronary artery have to be distinguished from tricuspid annular calcification.
Inconsistent shock advisories for monomorphic VT and Torsade de Pointes – A prospective experimental study on AEDs and defibrillators

Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease and sudden cardiac arrest are the leading causes of death in the United States. Early defibrillation is key to successful resuscitation for patients who experience shockable rhythms during a cardiac arrest. It is therefore vital that the shock advisory of AEDs (automated external defibrillators) or defibrillators in AED mode be reliable and appropriate. The goal of this study was to better understand the performance of multiple lay-rescuer and hospital professional defibrillators in AED mode in their analysis of ventricular arrhythmias. The measurable objectives of this study sought to quantify: 1. No shock advisory for sinus rhythms at any rate. 2. Recognition and shock advisory for ventricular fibrillation (VF). 3. Recognition and shock advisory for monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT). 4. Recognition and shock advisory for Torsades de Pointes (TdP). Methods This is a prospective evaluation of two AEDs and four semi-automatic, hospital professional defibrillators. This study represents post-marketing evaluation of FDA approved devices. Each defibrillator was connected to multiple rhythm simulators and presented with simulated ECG waveforms 20 consecutive times at various rates when possible. Results All four defibrillators and both AEDs tested consistently recognized normal sinus rhythm (NSR) from all rhythm sources, and did not recommend a shock for NSR at any rate (from 80 to 220 bpm). All four defibrillators and both AEDs recognized VF from all rhythm sources tested and recommended a shock 100% of the time. Variations were found in the shock advisory rates among defibrillators when testing simulated VT heart rates at or below 150 bpm. One AED tested did not consistently advise a shock for monomorphic VT or TdP at any tested rate. Conclusion Lay-rescuer AEDs and professional hospital defibrillators tested in AED mode did not reliably recommend a shock for sustained monomorphic VT or TdP at certain rates, despite the fact that it is a critical component of the currently recommended treatment. These findings require further examination of the risk benefit analysis of shocking or not shocking rhythms such as TdP or pulseless VT.
Modeling and Simulation of Ground Based Radar Surveillance Solutions for Unmanned Aircraft System Sense and Avoid

Radar systems provide surveillance information for air traffic management (ATM), border protection and national security. Radar wave propagation is affected by atmospheric and environmental conditions, terrain, and land coverage. Performance analysis of primary surveillance radar systems is critical for enabling routine Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) access to the National Airspace System (NAS). The safe operation of UAS in the NAS necessitates a capability to sense and avoid other airborne objects. One solution is a Ground Based Sense and Avoid (GBSAA) concept, which fuses radar data in a specially tuned tracking system and provides traffic information to a ground observer and pilot. In this paper, we will present a modeling and simulation approach for assessing site-specific radar detection performance and apply the results to the GBSAA application. High fidelity primary surveillance radar performance and tracking system models enable simulation studies with the objective of determining target probability of detection and distributions of expected track initiation times across the surveillance volume. These models take into account target characteristics, site-specific radar performance, and tracking system filtering and initiation logic. This information will help in the development of a GBSAA concept of operation, mission planning, and will ultimately define where UAS can operate with sufficient surveillance coverage to meet sense and avoid functional requirements. In addition to this application, the radar modeling and simulation techniques discussed in this paper can be extended to evaluate the impact of disruptive technologies and structures such as wind farms, large solar arrays, and nearby buildings and towers.
PREDATOR AVOIDANCE ON THE WATER SURFACE? KINEMATICS AND EFFICACY OF VERTICAL JUMPING BY DOLOMEDES (ARANEAE, PISAURIDAE)

Abstract Vertical jumps of fishing spiders (Dolomedes sp.) from the water surface have been presumed to be evasive behaviors directed against predatory fish. We used high-speed videography to analyze the jumps of fishing spiders and then constructed a numerical model to assess the effectiveness of these jumps in evading predatory strikes by trout. Jump height (mean = 3.7 cm) and duration (mean = 0.17 sec) were similar across spider masses (0.05–0.66 g) but latency to jump increased significantly with mass. To accomplish jumps of similar height, more massive spiders had to generate more force during the propulsive phase of the jump than did smaller spiders; and the contribution of fluid drag to the total force used in jumping was substantially greater for large spiders than for smaller ones. Our model juxtaposing the jumps of spiders and the attacks of trout revealed that jump heights and durations were inadequate: only the most lethargic strikes by trout could be successfully evaded by jumping vertically ...
The Reach of Rule 11: Sanctions, Appeals, and Voluntary Dismissals

This article previews the issues and arguments in Cooter & Gell v. Hartmarx Corp., on the Supreme Court’s 1989-90 appellate docket. The lawyers at Cooter & Gell have given the Supreme Court the chance to say many things about the standards of lawyering. The Supreme Court is finally going to tell practicing lawyers everywhere the consequences of certain behavior in federal court. First, the Court is going to say whether a federal trial court has the authority to impose sanctions on a lawyer after the lawyer voluntarily dismisses a case. Stated somewhat differently, once the case is gone, may the court still punish the lawyer? Second, the Court is going to say whether a higher court may review those sanctions by determining whether the trial court abused its discretion in punishing the lawyer. Third, the Court is going to determine whether that higher court may further dun an already sanctioned attorney by charging the lawyer the costs of bringing a losing appeal. Stated somewhat differently, how many times can a transgressing lawyer be punished?Believe it or not, this is a suit about suits. It's also a suit about nonsuits. For the second time this term (see Pavelic & Leflore v. Marvel Entertainment Group, 110 S.Ct. 456 (1989) the Supreme Court is being asked to tailor the perfect fit for Rule 11.Cooter & Gell contends that Rule 11 sanctions do not apply to appeals, which they believe are governed by Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 38. Under that rule, a sanction is available only if there is a determination that the appeal was frivolous. With regard to Rule 11, at least, there is a split among the federal circuit courts concerning whether it is legitimate to tax the costs of a losing appeal to the sanctioned attorney. The First and Seventh Circuits have held that the award of such attorney's fees comes within the language and underlying policy of Rule 11, because the appellate fees were incurred "because of" the initial Rule 11 violation. To the contrary, the Fourth and Ninth Circuits have held that the award of such additional sums under Rule 11 is inappropriate.Cooter & Gell is now additionally complicated by the Court's earlier holding this term in Pavelic. Since it was the law firm of Cooter & Gell that was sanctioned by the trial court, rather than any individual attorney, a further lurking issue is whether the imposition of sanctions on the firm constitutes plain error. Notwithstanding this legal technicality, attorneys for both sides have urged the Supreme Court to supply guidance to federal practitioners concerning the relationship of voluntary dismissals and appeals to Rule 11. Whatever the Court decides on these issues, its opinion in Cooter & Gell will for the first time provide an authoritative voice on the scope, purposes, and application of Rule 11.
Mechanisms of endotoxin-induced dilatation of cerebral arterioles

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS; endotoxin) produces dilatation of cerebral arterioles in vivo which may be due, in part, to expression of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase. We tested the hypothesis that aminoguanidine, an inhibitor of inducible NO synthase, would reduce endotoxin-induced dilatation of cerebral arterioles. Because mechanisms other than expression of inducible NO synthase may contribute to endotoxin-induced dilatation of cerebral arterioles, we also tested the hypothesis that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) contributes to vascular responses to endotoxin. Cerebral arteriolar diameter was measured using a closed cranial window in anesthetized rabbits under control conditions [77 +/- 3 (SE) microns] and during topical application of endotoxin (100 micrograms/ml). After 4 h, diameter of cerebral arterioles increased by 41 +/- 5%. Coapplication of aminoguanidine (0.3 mM) with endotoxin reduced vasodilatation at all time points (30 min to 4 h). Relative to control values, endotoxin treatment increased guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by approximately 20 fold at 4 h. Aminoguanidine attenuated the endotoxin-induced increased in CSF cGMP concentration. Aminoguanidine (0.3 mM) did not alter acetylcholine-mediated dilatation of cerebral arterioles. Coapplication of CGRP-(8-37) (0.5 microM), a specific blocker of CGRP receptors, with endotoxin significantly reduced vasodilatation in response to endotoxin at 2, 3, and 4 h. Thus 1) aminoguanidine inhibits endotoxin- but not acetylcholine-mediated dilatation of cerebral arterioles, and 2) activation of CGRP receptors mediates a portion of endotoxin-induced dilation of cerebral arterioles.
Sensorimotor gating deficits in transgenic mice expressing a constitutively active form of Gsα

Schizophrenia is a complex disorder characterized by wide-ranging cognitive impairments, including deficits in learning as well as sensory gating. The causes of schizophrenia are unknown, but alterations in intracellular G-protein signaling pathways are among the molecular changes documented in patients with schizophrenia. Using the CaMKIIα promoter to drive expression in neurons within the forebrain, we have developed transgenic mice that express a constitutively active form of Gsα (Gsα*), the G protein that couples receptors such as the D1 and D5 dopamine receptors to adenylyl cyclase. We have also generated mice in which the CaMKIIα promoter drives expression of a dominant-negative form of protein kinase A, R(AB). Here, we examine startle responses and prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex (PPI) in these Gsα* and R(AB) transgenic mice. Gsα* transgenic mice exhibited selective deficits in PPI, without exhibiting alterations in the startle response, whereas no deficit in startle or PPI was found in the R(AB) transgenic mice. Thus, overstimulation of the cAMP/PKA pathway disrupts PPI, but the cAMP/PKA pathway may not be essential for sensorimotor gating. Gsα* transgenic mice may provide an animal model of certain endophenotypes of schizophrenia, because of the similarities between them and patients with schizophrenia in G-protein function, hippocampus-dependent learning, and sensorimotor gating.
Transmission of Moraxella bovis by Regurgitation from the Crop of the Face Fly (Diptera: Muscidae)

Face flies which had been fed a solution of fluorescein isothiocyanate in Trypticase-soy broth were caged over the eyes of calves to ascertain whether the flies regurgitated onto the surface of the eye while they were feeding. We observed fluorescence in and around the eyes of all the calves after flies were removed. A suspension of M. bovis was fed to face flies which were confined over the eyes of healthy calves in an attempt to transmit the bacteria to the calves. Infectious bovine kera to conjunctivitis symptoms developed in 6 of 10 eyes in these transmission attempts.
From student to teacher: changes in preservice teacher educational beliefs throughout the learning-to-teach journey

Preservice teachers enter programs with beliefs about teaching and learning, constructed from prior schooling experiences. This longitudinal study examines preservice teachers’ K–12 memories, their initial educational beliefs, and the changes in those beliefs over their teacher education program. Analysis of questionnaires, interviews, work samples, and observations from six preservice teachers collected over a two-year period revealed that they initially believed that students were similar to themselves, that teaching was simple and autonomous, that students perform uniformly within grade levels, and that teaching ensures learning. At program’s end, however, they believed that students differ from one another and from themselves, that teaching is complex, that classroom freedom has limits, that differentiation is essential, and that teaching does not ensure learning. The data suggested a common progression from initial idealism, to cognitive dissonance, to a search for an authentic teaching persona, and ...
Teaching and Learning in High School Reading Classes: Perspectives of Teachers and Students.

This qualitative study investigated high school reading programs and participants focusing on the insider perspectives of teachers and their students. The study occurred in two sites, one in a Southern state and the other in an Eastern state. The participants, five high school reading teachers and two to three students in each of their reading classes, were interviewed individually by the researchers. Interview questions focused on reader identity, reading habits, reader strategies, content area reading, and the reading program. Findings indicate a disparity between teachers' and students' understanding about reading, variability in instruction, and need for engaged learning.
Nurses' Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Use of Oral Patient-Controlled Analgesia.

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) administered intravenously is a generally well-accepted therapy by nurses and patients. PCA devices are now available for oral medications, allowing patients to self-administer pain pills without requesting them from the nurse. Successful introduction of new pain medication delivery devices can depend on nurses' knowledge and attitudes. The aim of this institutional review board approved project was to evaluate nurses' perceptions and attitudes toward using an oral PCA device for patients' pain. A 4-week study was designed and conducted at an academic medical center on an orthopedic unit and a women's health unit. Nurse participants received education on using the oral PCA device and were invited to complete a pre- and poststudy knowledge and attitude survey regarding pain management. Nurses and patients also completed a questionnaire about perceptions related to using the oral PCA device. Findings showed that nurses' attitudes toward using the oral PCA device were less favorable than those of patients, suggesting that nurses may require additional education for acceptance of this device. Results from 37 nurses showed improvement in overall knowledge and attitudes, from 70.8% pretest to 74.2% post-test. Although improvement was not statistically significant (p = .1637), two items showed significant improvement. Knowledge about the effectiveness of NSAIDS was 27.5% pretest compared with 60.0% post-test (p = .0028); and understanding about use of opioids in patients with a history of substance abuse was 50% pretest compared with 70% post-test (p = .0531). Helping nurses overcome the perceived barriers to use of an oral PCA device has potential implications for better pain management as well as enhanced patient satisfaction.
Laparoscopic Puestow: lateral pancreaticojejunostomy

Chronic pancreatitis is a painful inflammatory disease that leads to progressive and irreversible destruction of pancreatic parenchyma [1]. A lateral pancreaticojejunostomy, also known as the Puestow procedure, is performed for symptomatic chronic pancreatitis associated with a dilated pancreatic duct secondary to calcifications or strictures [4]. An open approach is used traditionally due to the complexity of the case, and there have only been a handful of laparoscopic case reports [2]. This video depicts a laparoscopic lateral pancreaticojejunostomy for chronic pancreatitis. A 45-year-old gentleman with a 20-year history of chronic alcohol abuse presented with diffuse abdominal pain. His pain was worse postprandially and associated with loose stools. A computed tomography scan revealed multiple calcified deposits within the body and tail of the pancreas, and a dilated pancreatic duct measuring 1.4 cm with a proximal obstructing calcified stone. A 5-port foregut technique was used, and a 15-cm pancreatic ductotomy was performed with an ultrasonic scalpel. Calcified stones were cleared from the duct, and a roux-en-y pancreaticojejunostomy was performed using a hand-sewn technique. The patient had a relatively uncomplicated hospital course with return of bowel function on postoperative day 4. His patient-controlled analgesic device was discontinued on post operative day 3. He was ambulating, tolerating a regular diet and discharged home on postoperative day 5. At 12- and 26-month follow-up, he remains off narcotics, but still requires 1–2 tabs of pancreatic enzyme replacement per meal. Most importantly, he has not had any alcohol for over 2 years. The two primary goals in treating chronic pancreatitis include long-term pain relief and improvements in quality of life [3]. For patients with chronic pancreatitis and a dilated pancreatic duct, a laparoscopic lateral pancreaticojejunostomy may be an effective approach to decrease pain and improve quality of life.
Epidemic characteristics and related factors of metabolic syndrome among adult residents in Cixi city

Objective To investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome(MS) among the residents over 18 years old in Cixi city,and to analyze epidemic characteristics and influencing factors of MS.Methods With multistage stratified random sampling,a cross-sectional survey was carried out among 1 147 residents in Cixi city.MS was defined based on the standard of International Diabetes Federation(IDF).Results The MS prevalence rate was 24.59% and the standardized rate was 24.04%.The MS prevalence rate increased with age(χ2= 72.48,P 0.01) and the adults of 60 years old had the highest rate.The prevalence rate of the females was higher than that of males(30.33% vs 18.77%,χ2= 20.6;P 0.01).The residents with low er education had a higher prevalence rate.Among the people with different occupations,the retired and unemployed had the highest MS prevalence rate.Single factor analysis showed that the main MS risk factors were over weight and obesity,hypertension,diabetes and dyslipidemia(P 0.01).Multiple factor logistic regression analyses showed that the MS influence factors were age(odds ratio [OR]= 6.431,95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 4.028-10.267),body mass index(BMI)(OR = 3.968,95% CI = 1.788-8.804),triglyceride(OR =3.732,95% CI =2.869-4.855),cholesterol(OR =1.519,95% CI =1.203-1.917),and high density lipoprotein cholesterol(OR = 0.014,95% CI = 0.006-0.036).Conclusion MS has become a major public health problem for Cixi residents.We should give priority to develop MS comprehensive intervention in communities.
The Roots of Industrialization, 1607–1860

From the time the first settlers arrived on America’s east coast, government has shaped and often led the nation’s economic development. Although the economy remained largely agrarian throughout the two and a half centuries from Jamestown’s settlement to the Civil War’s eve, the colonial and later federal governments imposed an array of measures that usually promoted and sometimes impeded entrepreneurship.1 Then as today, the government developed the economy by, among other strategies, issuing corporate charters, imposing laws, collecting taxes, procuring goods and services, and protecting industries from foreign trade.
Tacitus and Liberty

The republican narratives of Livy and Plutarch animated American republicanism with the virtues and spirit of Rome’s senatorial aristocracy. But they also told sad stories of lost liberty and the state’s corruption. These led to the dominant dilemma of America’s constitutional debate. Rome’s fine Polybian republic had fallen into despotism. How could the American republics avoid Rome’s fate? Cornelius Tacitus, in particular, had painted a nostalgic picture of mixed republican government as a noble vision, ‘much easier to commend than to create’.1
Modeling of mass flow behavior of hot rolled low alloy steel based on combined Johnson-Cook and Zerilli-Armstrong model

Accuracy and reliability of numerical simulation of hot rolling processes are dependent on a suitable material model, which describes metal flow behavior. In the present study, Gleeble hot compression tests were carried out at high temperatures up to 1300 °C and varying strain rates for a medium carbon micro-alloyed steel. Based on experimental results, a Johnson-Cook model (JC) and a Zerilli-Armstrong (ZA) model were developed and exhibited limitation in characterizing complex viscoplastic behavior. A combined JC and ZA model was introduced and calibrated through investigation of strain hardening, and the coupled effect of temperature and strain rate. Results showed that the combined JC and ZA model demonstrated better agreement with experimental data. An explicit subroutine of the proposed material model was coded and implemented into a finite element model simulating the industrial hot rolling. The simulated rolling torque was in good agreement with experimental data. Plastic strain and stress distributions were recorded to investigate nonlinear mass flow behavior of the steel bar. Results showed that the maximum equivalent plastic strain occurred at 45° and 135° areas of the cross section. Stress increased with decreasing temperature, and the corresponding rolling torque was also increased. Due to the extent of plastic deformation, rolling speed had limited influence on the internal stress of the bar, but the relative rolling torque was increased due to strain rate hardening.
The Trail Reporter Mobile Application: Methods for UX Research and Communication Design as Civic Agency

In this report, we begin by highlighting scholarship at the intersection of community-based technical communication research and user experience design. We then reflect on our process engaging in a three-month long user experience design project in our community of Lansing, Michigan. Finally, we emphasize the need for enacting community-based methods informed by participatory design [1] and Culturally Located User Experience [2] to ensure that communication design processes honor and value the perspectives of all stakeholders. Through this report, we hope to aid others researching developing community-based technologies in their local contexts.
Imaging biomarkers and biotypes for depression

A new study identifies four distinct 'biotypes' of depression on the basis of fMRI resting-state functional connectivity in a diverse sample of more than 1,000 individuals. The biotypes are diagnostic of depression and predict treatment response.
Why Was Human Evolution So Rapid

Nowhere in the entire fossil record of life do we find more dramatically accelerated accumulation of evolutionary novelty than we do in the genus Homo . Quite simply, and by whatever criteria you measure it, our species Homo sapiens is more different from its own precursors of two million years ago than is any other species living in the world today. What might account for this unusually rapid rate of evolution? A major influence was almost certainly material culture, though not in the gene-culture co-evolutionary context envisaged by the evolutionary psychologists. Rather, material culture enhances the ability of hominid populations to disperse at times when conditions are favorable for expansion, while incompletely insulating the resulting enlarged populations from environmental stress when circumstances deteriorate. In other words, by facilitating expansion beyond normal physiological limits in good times, culture makes populations more vulnerable to fragmentation in bad ones. Over the course of the Pleistocene, short-term but large-scale local environmental changes became increasingly frequent over large tracts of the Old World, further amplifying the stress-and-response cycle. Since the fixation probabilities of evolutionary novelties of all kinds (as well as of local extinctions) are promoted by population fragmentation and consequent small effective population sizes, we see in the synergy between environmental effects and material culture a sort of ratchet effect which would have acted to leverage rates of accumulating change. This interaction explains the extraordinarily fast tempo of evolution within the genus Homo by invoking perfectly routine evolutionary processes; and it eliminates any need for special pleading in the hominid case, at least in terms of mechanism. Apparent recent diminution in human brain size may result from greater algorithmic efficiency.
Prognosis and treatment of uterine leiomyosarcoma: A National Cancer Database study

Abstract Objective To determine overall survival and factors associated with survival of women with uterine leiomyosarcoma. Methods We performed an observational cohort study of women with uterine leiomyosarcoma ( n =7455) from the 1998–2013 National Cancer Database. Kaplan-Meier and multivariable accelerated failure time survival analyses were performed to investigate predictors of survival. Sensitivity and matched cohort analyses were performed to evaluate the roles of oophorectomy, lymphadenectomy, and chemotherapy in early leiomyosarcoma and chemotherapy in metastatic leiomyosarcoma. Results Median (interquartile range) age at diagnosis was 54 (48–63) years. Older age, higher comorbidity, black race, higher stage or grade, larger tumor size, lymph node involvement, metastasis at diagnosis, positive surgical margin, adjuvant chemotherapy, and brachytherapy were independently associated with decreased survival by unmatched cohort analyses. Private insurance was associated with increased survival. By matched cohort analyses, omitting oophorectomy was not associated with survival among women≤51years old at diagnosis (event time ratio (ETR) (95% CI) 1.06 (0.90–1.25), P =0.48). Omitting lymphadenectomy was not associated with survival (ETR (95% CI) 1.02 (0.94–1.10), P =0.60). Among women with stage I leiomyosarcoma, adjuvant chemotherapy was not associated with increased survival (ETR (95% CI) 0.91 (0.78–1.05), P =0.18). Chemotherapy was associated with increased survival of women with metastatic leiomyosarcoma (median survival (95% CI) 19.4 (16.4–23.0) versus 10.9 (7.7–14.3) months, ETR (95% CI) 1.66 (1.46–1.90), P Conclusion Early and complete resection is the best-evidenced treatment for uterine leiomyosarcoma. Oophorectomy and lymphadenectomy may be safely omitted for clinically uterus-confined leiomyosarcoma. Chemotherapy increases survival of women with metastatic leiomyosarcoma.
Reversible Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide to Formic Acid and Methanol: Lewis Acid Enhancement of Base Metal Catalysts

ConspectusNew and sustainable energy vectors are required as a consequence of the environmental issues associated with the continued use of fossil fuels. H2 is a potential clean energy source, but as a result of problems associated with its storage and transport as a gas, chemical H2 storage (CHS), which involves the dehydrogenation of small molecules, is an attractive alternative. In principle, formic acid (FA, 4.4 wt % H2) and methanol (MeOH, 12.6 wt % H2) can be obtained renewably and are excellent prospective liquid CHS materials. In addition, MeOH has considerable potential both as a direct replacement for gasoline and as a fuel cell input. The current commercial syntheses of FA and MeOH, however, use nonrenewable feedstocks and will not facilitate the use of these molecules for CHS. An appealing option for the sustainable synthesis of both FA and MeOH, which could be implemented on a large scale, is the direct metal catalyzed hydrogenation of CO2. Furthermore, given that CO2 is a readily available, ...
Highly Coupled Chemical Reactions: A Negentropic Analysis

The negentropic formulation is here applied to the analysis of the highly coupled reaction of isomerization of butenes. The point of emergence of overshooting in the equilibrium concentration of -2-butene is predicted and the prediction tested against the experimental data of Haag and Pines. The results are discussed.
Phase I study of rilotumumab (AMG 102), an HGF inhibitor, and erlotinib in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

e19065 Background: MET is frequently overexpressed in NSCLC and amplification of MET and its ligand, hepatic growth factor (HGF), are mechanisms of resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (E...
Intrathecal catheter-associated inflammatory mass in a neurofibromatosis type-1 patient receiving fentanyl and bupivacaine.

BACKGROUND Catheter-associated inflammatory masses (CIMs) are a rare but serious complication of intrathecal drug delivery devices. CIM formation is influenced by local medication concentration, which is determined in part by flow dynamics at the catheter tip. Underlying spinal pathologies, such as neoplasms, may alter flow at the catheter tip, thereby contributing to CIM formation. Moreover, they may also complicate the clinical and radiologic diagnosis of a CIM. CASE DESCRIPTION A 36-year-old man with neurofibromatosis type 1 presented to our emergency department with complaints of increased back pain and leg weakness. To treat pain secondary to his multiple spinal masses, he had previously undergone placement of an implantable drug delivery system, which infused a compounded drug of fentanyl and bupivacaine. Imaging studies depicted numerous masses consistent with neurofibromatosis, including a compressive mass located circumferentially at the porous catheter terminus and proximal to the catheter tip. Surgical removal of this mass was performed; pathologic findings were consistent with a catheter tip granuloma. CONCLUSIONS In the described case, CIM formation likely resulted from a combination of, 1) an unusually high fentanyl concentration, and, 2) altered infusate flow due to spinal neurofibromas. Consideration of underlying spinal pathologies, particularly mass lesions, is critical to the management of intrathecal drug delivery devices.
Press Policy Under Mature Neoabsolutism: Threat, Legality, and the Continual Appearance of Opposition Journalism

Throughout the 1850s, the opposition press first maintained and then expanded in scope as its journalists learned to navigate the system of Neoabsolutism. While Bohemia generally remained peaceful during this period, the officials responsible for public order and security described themselves as increasingly hampered by laws that allowed what they felt to be direct challenges to the imperial state and its social peace. The failure of their own efforts to create a viable government-friendly periodical was well expressed in the complaint that “every literary figure that the government would want, would edit the paper in a spirit other than that of the government.” The public sphere not only survived but expanded during this time.
Finding what sustains you professionally and personally: a response to the election of Donald Trump

AbstractFor many US citizens, the election of Donald Trump was an event that will be etched into our collective psyche. As educational researchers, the challenge is how to prevent it from becoming an Event with a capital E. That almost 63 million US voters, many of whom have attended or graduated from public schools, supported Donald Trump makes the problem OUR problem. Thus, how to conduct more inclusive and expansive research is the first step followed by maintaining a sense of urgency so that we recommit to the ideals of public education without being distracted by noise of tweets and Executive orders. The essay offers professional and personal insights into promoting reflective dialogues.
Anhydride Intermediates in Catalysis by Pepsin: Is Pepsin an Enzyme with Two Active Sites?

Porcine pepsin is known to have two types of activities in acidic solution: the catalysis of peptide bond hydrolysis and the catalysis of transpeptidation (1). The presence of amino-enzyme intermediates in the catalytic action of pepsin has been proposed by Knowles (2–4) and Antonov et al. (5). On the other hand, Silver (6) and Hofmann (7) have proposed the existence of acyl-pepsin intermediates. Some mechanisms for pepsin action such as that suggested by Zeffren and Kaiser (8) involve the postulation of both acyl- and amino-enzyme intermediates. Recently, Fruton (9,10) has suggested that kinetically significant conformational changes of the pepsin active site in the presence of substrates or products instead of the formation of acyl-enzyme or amino-enzyme intermediates may account for the various data obtained for peptide hydrolysis and transpeptidation.
Engaged by the Spectacle of Protest: How Bystanders Became Invested in Occupy Wall Street

Do uninvolved bystanders care about political protest? If so, how do they become psychologically engaged? Some theories of bystander publics emphasize their disinterest in politics; others stress their potential to be recruited through a resonant framing. Strauss shows that neither model explains the unemployed Californians she interviewed about the Occupy movement. Their positive or negative sentiments drew upon differing, affectively imbued cultural schemas that filled out sketchy media reports of Occupy’s message and tactics. Psychological investment in the Occupy movement also depended upon the identities, beliefs, and memories in individuals’ personal semantic networks, as Strauss illustrates by contrasting the outlooks of two working-class African American men, one of whom distrusted and the other of whom believed in the American political system.
Respiratory rhythm: an emergent network property?

Abstract We tested the hypothesis that pacemaker neurons generate breathing rhythm in mammals. We monitored respiratory-related motor nerve rhythm in neonatal rodent slice preparations. Blockade of the persistent sodium current ( I NaP ), which was postulated to underlie voltage-dependent bursting in respiratory pacemaker neurons, with riluzole (≤200 μM) did not alter the frequency of respiratory-related motor output. Yet, in every pacemaker neuron recorded (50/50), bursting was abolished at much lower concentrations of riluzole (≤20 μM). Thus, eliminating the pacemaker population (our statistics confirm that this population is reduced at least 94%, p
Cervical fracture with transient tetraplegia in a youth football player: case report and review of the literature.

Background/Objective: Serious cervical spinal injuries in organized youth football are rare. Cervical fracture with neurologic injury is rarely reported in organized youth football players with no pre-existing risk fractures for transient tetraplegia.
Emission temperatures from widely separated states in 14N- and 129Xe-induced reactions.

Charged-particle correlations were measured for the reactions $^{14}\mathrm{N}$${+}^{197}$Au and $^{14}\mathrm{N}$${+}^{27}$Al at E/A=75 MeV and for $^{129}\mathrm{Xe}$${+}^{27}$Al and $^{129}\mathrm{Xe}$${+}^{122}$Sn at E/A=31 MeV. Relative populations of widely separated states in $^{4}\mathrm{He}$, $^{5}\mathrm{Li}$, and $^{8}\mathrm{Be}$, only weakly affected by side feeding, indicate emission temperatures of T=4--5 MeV for the $^{14}\mathrm{induced}$ reactions and values about 1 MeV lower for the $^{129}\mathrm{induced}$ reactions.
Taking Microcavity Label-Free Single Molecule Detection Deep into the Protein Realm: Cancer Marker Detection at the Ultimate Sensitivity

Finding a method for label-free sensing of individual bio-nanoparticles is considered the “Holy Grail” in the bio-sensing field. An ideal technology that could do this would be able to follow the sensing of biological antigen-antibody interactions in their native form and in real-time without interfering tags. It has been over 10 years since the possibility of label-free microcavity detection of single virus or single protein binding by a reactive frequency shift was theorized, and over 5 years since the non-specific detection and sizing of Influenza A (InfA) was demonstrated using this mechanism. The signal to noise ratio in that experiment was only 3. Detecting the smallest virus MS2 with a mass only one hundredth of InfA, therefore seemed hopeless. The prospect of detecting an intermediate size protein such BSA was anticipated to be even further out of reach, since its mass is 5,000× smaller than InfA. However, within the last 2 years both were detected with an extraordinary microcavity that marries micro-cavity photonics with nano-plasmonic receptors. The following article chronicles this advance.
New Views on Stabilization Policies

This chapter presents a brief summary of a number of the professional discussions of the stabilization issue. The new views on stabilization policies are mostly negative. Policy activism, frequently called fine tuning or demand management, is in serious disrepute with much of the economics profession and with important parts of the official community, such as the Joint Economic Committee of Congress. Econometric models used in policy evaluations yield a variety of policy multipliers whose size and timing uncertainties of policy impacts make them poor tools for policymakers to use. In addition, the forecasting record of economists is unimpressive to such an extent that authorities now fear that policies based upon such forecasts may actually destabilize rather than smooth out the fluctuations of the economy. Rational expectations theorists say that econometric policy evaluation is basically flawed because the models are fitted to data containing reactions to policy changes that in their nature cannot be reproduced for the future. Thus, studies of fixed versus activist policies with econometric models may also be basically flawed and provide no information upon the rules versus activist debate.
ASAP7 predictive design kit development and cell design technology co-optimization

This work discusses the ASAP7 predictive process design kit (PDK) and associated standard cell library. The necessity for multi-patterning (MP) techniques at advanced nodes results in the standard cell and SRAM architecture becoming entangled with design rules, mandating design-technology co-optimization (DTCO). This paper discusses the DTCO process involving standard cell physical design. An assumption of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography availability in the PDK allows bi-directional Ml geometries that are difficult with MP. Routing and power distribution schemes for self-aligned quadruple patterning (SAQP) friendly, high density standard cell based blocks are shown. Restrictive design rules are required and supported by the automated place and route (APR) setup. Supporting sub-20 nm dimensions with academic tool licenses is described. The APR (QRC techfile) extraction shows high correlation with the Calibre extraction deck. Finally, use of the PDK for academic coursework and research is discussed.
Feminist Perspectives on the Etiology and Treatment of Body Dissatisfaction, Eating, and Weight-Related Disorders

Ninety percent of patients with eating disorders are women and girls. Sexual minority men are at particular risk. A feminist perspective on body image and eating and weight-related disorders holds on a cultural analysis of the changing gender roles and appearance-related ideals across time and place. Cultural objectification refers to the tendency to reduce the social worth of women and girls to their sexual appeal. The frequency with which women and girls are objectified in Western cultures is increasing in nearly every form of media communication. For girls and women, in contemporary Western and Westernized cultures, conformity to the thin-ideal is associated with rewards in the educational, occupational, and relational realms. The modern era dictated a level of thinness that could not be attained by the majority of women via healthy means. As to treatment and prevention of eating and weight-related disorders, feminist theorists continue to develop many different approaches to curbing the negative impact of the thin-ideal internalization, self-objectification, and maladaptive social comparison.
Association of Combined Modality Therapy vs Chemotherapy Alone With Overall Survival in Early-Stage Pediatric Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Importance To date, there is no well-defined standard of care for early-stage pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), which may include chemotherapy alone or combined modality therapy (CMT) with chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. Although the use of radiotherapy in pediatric HL is decreasing, this strategy remains controversial. Objective To examine the use of CMT in pediatric HL and its association with improved overall survival using data from a large cancer registry. Design, Setting, and Participants This observational cohort study used data from the National Cancer Database to evaluate clinical features and survival outcomes among 5657 pediatric patients (age, 0.1-21 years) who received a diagnosis of stage I or II HL in the United States from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2015. Statistical analysis was conducted from May 1 to November 1, 2018. Exposures Patients received definitive treatment with chemotherapy or CMT, defined as chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. Main Outcomes and Measures Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to examine overall survival. The association between CMT use, covariables, and overall survival was assessed in multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models. Use of radiotherapy was assessed over time. Results Among the 11 546 pediatric patients with HL in the National Cancer Database, 5657 patients (3004 females, 2596 males, and 57 missing information on sex; mean [SD] age, 17.1 [3.6] years) with stage I or II classic HL were analyzed. Of these patients, 2845 (50.3%) received CMT; use of CMT vs chemotherapy alone was associated with younger age ( Conclusions and Relevance In this study, pediatric patients with early-stage HL receiving CMT experienced improved overall survival 5 years after treatment. There is a nationwide decrease in the use of CMT, perhaps reflecting the bias of ongoing clinical trials designed to avoid consolidation radiotherapy. This study represents the largest data set to date examining the role of CMT in pediatric HL.
Abstract IA02: The role of aneuploidy during tumorigenesis

Since Boveri’s postulates in 1914, aneuploidy has been recognized as a hallmark of human cancer; however, no comprehensive theory exists to explain its patterns and its role in tumor evolution. We have developed Tumor Suppressor and Oncogene (TUSON) Explorer, a computational method for the prediction of tumor suppressor genes (TSG) and oncogenes (OG) through the analysis of the pattern of somatic mutations in cancer. By integrating our prediction of TSGs and OGs with information of copy number alterations, we found that the distribution on chromosomes and the potency of TSGs and OGs can predict the frequency of arm-level and chromosome-level deletions and amplification (Davoli et al., 2013). We propose that it is the decrease or increase in the gene dosage of TSG and OG genes in deletion and amplification to determine the recurrent patterns of aneuploidy selected during tumor evolution. More recently, we have performed gene expression analysis on tumor samples, comparing tumors with different levels of aneuploidy (Davoli et al., 2017). We have found that tumors with high levels of aneuploidy show increased markers of proliferation as well as a strong decrease in infiltrating immune cells, especially CD8+ T cells. Notably, we show that aneuploidy predicts patients’ survival in two clinical trails of immunotherapy in cancer patients. Compared to neoantigen load, aneuploidy represents an independent and stronger predictor of survival. A combined score including aneuploidy and neoantigen load allows superior prediction of survival after immunotherapy. We are now investigating the mechanism by which aneuploidy affects cancer immune evasion. I will present novel data suggesting that aneuploidy may play a role in inhibiting and dysregulating antigen processing and presentation in tumor cells. Overall, our data indicate that aneuploidy is a driver event in human tumorigenesis. Citation Format: Teresa Davo4li. The role of aneuploidy during tumorigenesis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fifth AACR-IASLC International Joint Conference: Lung Cancer Translational Science from the Bench to the Clinic; Jan 8-11, 2018; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2018;24(17_Suppl):Abstract nr IA02.
Mode confinement enhanced by exploiting epsilon-near-zero supercoupling in a mimic transverse electric hybrid phonon polariton waveguide

New capabilities in mid- to long-wave infrared sensing and telecommunications require ultracompact waveguides that support long propagation lengths. Hybrid waveguides supporting the coupling between a dielectric strip-waveguide mode (long propagation) and a surface polariton mode (tightly confined mode) are promising candidates. Here, an infrared (λ0 = 10.6 μm) hybrid waveguide design is presented that achieves enhanced mode confinement but with minimal impact on propagation distances. Modal area confinement is enhanced by the integration of a thin layer of epsilon-near-zero material, aluminum nitride near the longitudinal optical phonon resonance, which supports supercoupling, a term that describes the effect of field enhancement caused by squeezing energy into arbitrary-sized regions. While SPhPs are inherently transverse magnetic modes, a transverse electric (TE) mode is sought to best exploit the ENZ supercoupling phenomenon. By adding a thin high index layer (GaAs) over the 4H-SiC substrate, a mimic TE mode is achieved. The epsilon-near-zero supercoupling-enhanced mimic TE hybrid SPhP waveguide presented exhibits modal confinement improvement by as much as a factor of 4 while maintaining more than 95% of the original propagation length.
Common markets and the decolonization of ‘British Africa’: The role of economics and economists

ABSTRACTTo facilitate an organized withdrawal from its African territories in the 1960s, the UK authorities undertook studies of the economic potential of each. What has been little studied is the ...