cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of colonoscopy in the assessment of patients with colorectal cancer

A retrospective review of 176 patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon who underwent total colonoscopy preoperatively demonstrated synchronous carcinomas in 3.4 percent and synchronous polyps in 55.1 percent. Full-column barium enemas (68 patients) failed to identify cancer in 22 percent of patients and synchronous polyps in 58 percent of patients, a statistically significant (P<0.001) number of falsenegative examinations. Double-contrast barium enemas (30 patients) failed to identify cancer in 27 percent of patients and synchronous polyps in 42 percent of patients, also a statistically significant (P<0.007) number of false-negative examinations. Full column and air contrast barium enemas identified all index cancers with distant metastases. Air-contrast barium enemas failed to identify 40 percent of “early” index cancers (confined to the bowel wall, negative nodes), and full-column barium enemas failed to identify 32 percent. The incidence of synchronous carcinoma and polyps underscores the need for total colon evaluation when a primary carcinoma is detected. Because of the poor accuracy of barium studies, total colonoscopy is the method of choice for this evaluation.
Achieving the potential of health information technology.

According to the dictionary, “potential” means “existing in possibility.”1 For many of us who desperately want health information technology (IT) to be the long, sought after panacea that will lead to dramatic improvements in quality and safety, there is a strong desire to get to “existing in reality.” A growing sense of awareness and urgency around the current state of health care quality in America continues to push us toward action and health IT. The ability to standardize high-risk processes, such as drug prescribing, and remind providers to order evidence-based preventive services seems so logically connected to better care. There is also a growing sense of impatience among the public with low uptake.
Navigating space by drawing

BLUI is a virtual reality program that tallows drawing and sculpting in 3D space using a gestural interface. In this paper, we describe BLUIs use as an interface for annotation, display, and explanation in a variety of scientific visualizations. BLUI can display data from Digital Elevation Models. 3D forms can be positioned and modified, and general navigation can be performed. New lines, surfaces, and point clouds can be drawn and edited. For visualization playback, a line can be chosen along which a virtual camera will fly. Starting and ending positions on this line can be selected. In addition, a 'look at' line with start and end positions can be similarly chosen. A time-scale can then be established for the animation, at which point the user can display the scene from the viewpoint of a virtual camera flying along the first line and looking either straight ahead or at a point moving along the second line.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
REDUCTION OF VITELLOGENIN SYNTHESIS BY AN ARYL HYDROCARBON RECEPTOR AGONIST IN THE WHITE STURGEON (ACIPENSER TRANSMONTAMUS)

Migrating white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontamus) may be subject to agricultural, municipal, and industrial wastewater effluents that likely contain different classes of endocrine-disrupting contaminants. Concern is mounting about the negative effects of environmental estrogens on fish reproduction; however, in environmental mixtures, the affects from estrogenic compounds may be suppressed by aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligands. Indeed, reductions in 17beta-estradiol-induced (0.01 and 1 mg/kg) vitellogenin (VTG) levels were observed in white sturgeon coinjected with beta-naphthoflavone (BNF; 50 mg/kg), a model for contaminants that activate the AhR. Variation in the time of injection was used to attempt to correlate VTG inhibition to ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity. No evidence was found to suggest that the inhibition of VTG is a direct result of enhanced estrogen metabolism by BNF-induced enzymes. Results of the present study are relevant for monitoring programs that measure VTG, because these results show that AhR-active environmental contaminants can repress VTG synthesis, which commonly is used as an indicator of estrogen-mimicking contaminants. Furthermore, suppression of natural estrogen signaling by AhR agonists may have significant effects on fish reproduction.
The Minnesota PhD program in management information systems: underlying philosophical views and operational decisions

The authors first describe the philosophical view of management information systems (MIS) as an academic and scholarly research field. The Minnesota philosophical view of an MIS doctoral program is then presented. The operational implications of these philosophical views are described in terms of curricular decisions and program management. >
How “International” Are International Relations Syllabi?

The acceleration of history may well leave international relations (IR) teachers breathless. It is not just because we have to scramble for maps that indicate in all the colors of the rainbow the freshly minted states with their capitals. Even more important, we are now increasingly dealing in our courses with problems that a previous generation of scholars had consigned to a museum of historical oddities (e.g., nationalism and ethnic conflict in Europe) or problems they did not address (e.g., global warming, population growth, the condition of women). Are IR teachers equipped to meet the challenges of teaching a discipline whose boundaries have been expanded dramatically by contemporary events, from the reunification of Germany to the Gulf War? I fear that the unique character of IR as an American discipline stands as an obstacle in our way.
Implementing Community-Oriented Policing: Organizational Change and Street Officer Attitudes

The limited amount of research on the impact of community-oriented policing (COP) on officer attitudes toward their jobs has been conducted in large cities. In the present study, we analyze survey data from 285 nonsupervisory officers in six small to midsize law enforcement agencies to examine how COP training and COP officer designation is associated with attitudes toward COP principles, support for COP, and job satisfaction. Results indicate that community police officers spend more time engaged in COP-related activities, are more supportive of COP methods and goals, more supportive of organizational changes necessary to implement COP, and more satisfied with their jobs when compared to traditional officers. In addition, officers who perceived their department as having a participatory management style were more positive about community policing and more satisfied with their jobs. Surprisingly, a large majority of traditional officers also supported COP goals and the transition to COP in their departments.
X-Ray Diffraction Studies of Forward and Reverse Plastic Flow in Nanoscale Layers During Thermal Cycling

The biaxial stress–strain response of Cu and Ni layers within Cu/Ni nanolaminates was determined from in-plane X-ray diffraction during heating/cooling. Thinner (11 nm) Cu and Ni layers with cohere...
Cosmological constraints on theories with large extra dimensions

In theories with large extra dimensions, constraints from cosmology lead to non-trivial lower bounds on the gravitational scale M, corresponding to upper bounds on the radii of the compact extra dimensions. These constraints are especially relevant to the case of two extra dimensions, since only if M is 10 TeV or less do deviations from the standard gravitational force law become evident at distances accessible to planned sub-mm gravity experiments. By examining the graviton decay contribution to the cosmic diffuse gamma radiation, we derive, for the case of two extra dimensions, a conservative bound M > 110TeV, corresponding to r{sub 2} 6.5/{radical}h TeV, or r{sub 2} < .015hmm.
Music and Literacy: Strategies Using Comprehension Connections by Tanny McGregor

Music and literacy share many of the same skills; therefore, it is no surprise that music and literacy programs can be used together to help children learn to read. Music study can help promote lit...
Unintended consequences: Regulating the quality of subsidized day care

Advocates for the poor frequently support uniform, high federal standards for subsidized social services. While such standards may improve the quality of services for those who qualify, they can also have unintended but important side effects. Stringent regulations may actually curtail the supply of services, promote segregation, and expand the role of large subsidized for-profit firms. All these possibilities are illustrated by the history of federal regulation in subsidizing child day care. The federal government's retreat from regulation in 1980 and 1981 may have had results that—even if unintended—were in many ways salutary.
An Empirically Derived Taxonomy for Personality Diagnosis: Bridging Science and Practice in Conceptualizing Personality

Objective:The authors describe a system for diagnosing personality pathology that is empirically derived, clinically relevant, and practical for day-to-day use. Method:A random national sample of psychiatrists and clinical psychologists (N=1,201) described a randomly selected current patient with any degree of personality dysfunction (from minimal to severe) using the descriptors in the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure–II and completed additional research forms. Results:The authors applied factor analysis to identify naturally occurring diagnostic groupings within the patient sample. The analysis yielded 10 clinically coherent personality diagnoses organized into three higher-order clusters: internalizing, externalizing, and borderline-dysregulated. The authors selected the most highly rated descriptors to construct a diagnostic prototype for each personality syndrome. In a second, independent sample, research interviewers and patients' treating clinicians were able to diagnose the personality syndrome...
Spatial and historic variability of benthic nitrogen cycling in an anthropogenically impacted estuary

Human activities have dramatically altered reactive nitrogen (N) availability in coastal ecosystems globally. Here we used a gradient of N loading found in a shallow temperate estuary (Waquoit Bay, Massachusetts, USA) to examine how key biogeochemical processes respond to environmental change over time. Using a space-for-time substitution we measured sediment oxygen uptake, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, and di-nitrogen (N2) gas fluxes from sediments collected at four stations. For two stations we compared measurements to those made at the same locations 20 years ago. Spatial variability was not directly correlated to N loading, however the results indicate significant changes in crucial ecosystem processes over time. Sediment oxygen uptake was only 46% of the historic rate and ammonium flux only 34%. The current rate of net denitrification (36 μmol N2-N m-2 h-1) was also lower than the mean historic rate (181 μmol N2-N m-2 h-1). Additionally, at one of the stations we measured a negative average N2 flux rate, indicating that the sediments may be a net source of reactive N. These changes in benthic flux rates are concurrent with a 39% decline in net ecosystem productivity determined from long-term dissolved oxygen data. Although we cannot rule out year-to-year variability we propose that the differences measured between current and historic rates may be explained in part by concurrent changes found in water temperature, precipitation, and freshwater discharge. These regional forcings have the potential to impact N inputs to the estuary, primary producer biomass, and benthic fluxes by altering the supply of organic matter to the sediments. This work highlights the dynamic nature of biogeochemical cycling in coastal ecosystems and underscores the need to better understand long-term changes.
Surgical treatment of congenital thumb deformities (including psychological impact of correction).

Eleven Patients with major contgenital deformities of the hand are presented. Seven index-finger tranpositions are described and the use of this operation is urged for absent or floating thumb. The operative technique is described in detail, and a discussion of the timing of surgery, associated anatomical defects, and the psychological impact of these deformities on the children is presented. A successful operation for the management of congenital subluxations of the thumb is described. Evidence suggests that hand surgery for this deformity should be undertaken at an earlier age than has been custom in past years.
T-cell non-Hogdkin's lymphoma.

T-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) represents approximately 10% to 15% of all lymphomas diagnosed in Western countries.1, 2, 3, 4 Varied geographic frequency of T-cell NHL has been documented ranging from 18.3% of NHL diagnosed in Hong Kong to 1.5% in Vancouver, British Columbia. This may in part be a reflection of increased exposure to pathogenic factors such as human T-cell leukemia virus-1 (HTLV-1) and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) in Asian nations.1 T-cell NHL commonly presents with extranodal disease and often contain varying amounts of necrosis/apoptosis on biopsy specimens making differentiation between a reactive process and diagnosis on neoplasm challenging. Immunophenotypic, cytogenetic, and molecular analyses have enhanced diagnostic capabilities as well as improved classification and prognostication for T-cell NHL. The current World Health Organization (WHO) classification recognizes 11 distinct clinicopathologic disorders encompassing the spectrum of T-cell malignancies (See Table 1).5 The broad spectrum of pathologic subtypes with varied clinical behavior poses a challenge to the systematic study of these diseases. Furthermore, these distinct T-cell NHL subtypes have unique characteristics and often warrant individualized diagnostic and therapeutic treatment strategies. Some agents that play a special role in the therapy of T-cell NHL include nucleoside analogues, denileukin diftitox (Ontak), retinoids, rexinoids and alpha-interferon.
Parsing and Predicting Increased Noise in Visual Cortex

The variability of spike trains recorded from cortical neurons in response to identical stimuli is striking. Although cortical response variability has been extensively studied, particularly in primary visual cortex (V1), the origin of this variability is largely unknown. It is unlikely that
Deep Venous Thrombosis

Acute DVT is a common disease with potentially life-threatening consequences and long-term life-altering complications. It imposes huge economic burden on the society. The disease is difficult to diagnose because of the lack of sensitivity and specificity of its clinical manifestations. Diagnostic algorithms are needed for safe and effective diagnosis. The treatment is standard anticoagulation therapy which reduces significantly the mortality risk and recurrence of the disease but does a much poorer job when it comes to the long-term morbidity of the disease. Active management of acute DVT, especially proximal iliofemoral DVT, using catheter-directed thrombolysis with or without mechanical thrombectomy modalities is gaining momentum and may prove to be the standard therapy of the future as it adds to the standard therapy the significant reduction of the long-term morbidity specifically postthrombotic syndrome.
Fluorescence-based laser capture microscopy technology facilitates identification of critical in vivo cytomegalovirus transcriptional programs.

Cytomegalovirus gene expression in highly permissive, cultured fibroblasts occurs in three kinetic classes known as immediate early, early and late. Infection of these cells results in a predictable transcriptional program leading to high levels of virus production. Infection of other, so called, “non-permissive cell types” results in a transcriptional program that either fails to produce virus particles or production is substantially reduced compared to fibroblasts. We have found that CMV gene expression profiles in tissues from infected hosts differ greatly from those observed in infected tissue culture cells. The number of viral genes expressed in tissues is much more limited, and the number of highly active genes does not correlate with viral DNA load. Additionally, viral gene expression in vivo is tissue selective with no two tissues expressing the exact same viral gene profile. Thus, in vivo CMV gene expression appears to be governed by mechanisms that are still uncharacterized. Cytomegalovirus remains in a persistent phase for the lifetime of the host. During this phase only a limited number of host cells are infected, and it is very difficult to detect CMV gene expression in whole tissues without sub-fractionating infected vs. uninfected cells. Herein, we describe the development of a fluorescence-based laser capture microscopy technique coupled with small sample size microarray analysis to determine the viral gene expression in 50–100 infected cells isolated from frozen RCMV-infected tissue sections.
Die Wärme- und Temperaturleitfähigkeit von Kunststoffen

Es wird ein uberblick uber die verschiedenen physikalischen Modelle der Warmeleitung gegeben. Fur die Temperaturleitfahigkeit werden mit Hilfe der Thermodynamik Beziehungen abgeleitet, die die Berechnung von Anderungen auf Grund von Druck- und Temperatureinflus zulassen.
Increased bronchoalveolar IgG2/IgG1 ratio is a marker for human lung allograft rejection.

BACKGROUND Lung allograft rejection (AR) is thought to involve T-helper-1 (Th-1) lymphocytes mediating both cellular immunity and alloantibody production. Th-1 lymphocytes produce gamma interferon (gamma IFN) and induce IgG2 production, suggesting that increased IgG2 production might occur during AR. The purpose of this study was to determine if locally altered bronchoalveolar IgG2/IgG1 ratios might correlate with AR. METHODS Eighteen recipients of lung allografts underwent a total of 25 bronchoscopies for surveillance or at times of suspected infection or AR. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), serum collection, and transbronchial biopsy (TB) were performed on all patients. gamma IFN, IgG1, IgG2 levels, and the ratio of IgG2/IgG1 were determined in serum and BAL and matched with TB histology. Five nonsmoking normal volunteers undergoing bronchoscopy, BAL, and serum collection served as controls. RESULTS IgG2 was upregulated in allograft BAL during AR as determined by the ratio IgG2/IgG1 (2.91 +/- 0.79 SEM vs 0.62 +/- SEM, p or = 1 in allograft BAL (95% confidence intervals 1.26 to 4.56) was 80% specific and 91% sensitive for the diagnosis of AR with a positive predictive value of 92%. A BAL IgG2/IgG1 < 1 (95% confidence interval 0.27 to 0.97) had a negative predictive value of 77%. After therapy in two patients the elevated IgG2/IgG1 ratio reversed to normal (ie, < 1) with histologic resolution of AR. CONCLUSIONS Human lung AR is associated with a locally increased IgG2/IgG1 ratio suggesting locally upregulated Th-1 lymphocyte activity during lung AR.
Use of Gortex grafts for replacement of the superior and inferior venae cavae.

Tubular grafts of Gortex (polytetrafluoroethylene) have been used for replacement of the superior and inferior venae cavae in dogs. Long-term patency was obtained in seven of nine grafts. Xenografts of bovine and porcine arteries used in dogs for interposition in the cavae were patent in only 2 of 8 long-term survivors. Further study of this polymer for use particularly in the surgery of small arteries, as well as for replacement of the cavae and large veins, is warranted.
U.S. Military and the White House Fellowship: Contact in Shaping Elite Attitudes

By examining the role of one of the nation's most elite networks, the White House Fellowship, I test the effect of social contact on elite attitudes toward the U.S. military, an institution that has long been powerful but has been increasingly excludedfrom the rarefied world of social, cultural, and intellectual elites. Using qualitative and quantitative data from the first study conducted with White House Fellows in the program's forty- five-year history, I show how peer contact within classes of Fellows between military and civilian participants significantly increases the odds of having a great deal of confidence in the U.S. military.
Prehistoric, Ancient Near Eastern and Aegean Textiles and Dress: An Interdisciplinary Anthology. Ancient Textiles Series, Vol. 18 Greek and Roman Textiles and Dress: An Interdisciplinary Anthology. Ancient Textiles Series, Vol. 19Body, Dress, and Identity in Ancient Greece

During the twenty-five years since the publication of E. J. W. Barber’s landmark book, Prehistoric Textiles: The Development of Cloth in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages with Special Reference to the ...
A REVIEW ON END‐OF‐LIFE BATTERY MANAGEMENT: CHALLENGES, MODELING, AND SOLUTION METHODS

End???of???life (EOL) battery packs may have significant residual value for secondary use and are too expensive to simply recycle. Quality variation adds complexity to EOL decision???making among multiple EOL options including disposal, recycling, remanufacturing, and reuse in secondary applications. The aim of the modeling and analysis for battery???remanufacturing systems is to determine the battery's optimal EOL decisions that maximize cost savings or minimize life cycle cost. This chapter considers the quality variation of EOL returns, resulting in different EOL decisions as well as different routes of remanufacturing processes and inventory level. It discusses some of the basics of battery remanufacturing, including the economic and ecological benefits, principles, operational strategy, and processes of battery remanufacturing. Several emerging issues of battery remanufacturing have been discussed with a main focus on modeling and analysis of electric vehicles (EVs) battery???remanufacturing system as well as decision???making related to the remanufacturing processes, inventory control, and reassembly strategy.
Fabrication and characterization of transparent wood for next generation smart building applications

Abstract A major fraction of the electricity that is generated in the world is used in the building sector, particularly as a source of light. One way to reduce the consumption of electricity in buildings is by utilizing natural light with the help of environmentally friendly resources such as transparent wood. Removing the lignin from wood followed by impregnating environmentally friendly polymers whose refractive index matches the refractive index of the cell wall helps in obtaining transparent wood. Hence, herewith we report a simple and low-cost method of fabricating transparent wood from beech wood (Fagus grandifolia) while retaining its 3-dimensional structure. The surface morphology of the synthesized transparent wood was studied by using scanning electron microscopy. Brunauer Emmet Teller measurements were carried out to determine the specific surface area. FTIR measurements were performed to study the wood chemistry. Optical measurements showed a maximum optical transmittance of 70% and a maximum haze of 49% for 0.1 mm and 0.7 mm thick wood samples, respectively. Mechanical testing showed that the transparent wood has a higher tensile strength and hardness when compared to the delignified wood. The fabricated transparent wood with high transmittance and enhanced mechanical properties is a potential candidate material for light transmitting building materials and transparent solar cell windows.
Alternative Splicing Generates a BCL6 Isoform Encoding a Compact Repressor.

BCL6 encodes a BTB/POZ zinc finger (ZF) transcriptional repressor which is essential for normal germinal center (GC) reactions. Its dysregulated expression contributes to the pathogenesis of B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The BCL6 gene consists of ten exons, BCL6 translation start site is located in exon 3, and the six-ZF DNA binding domain is encoded by exons 7 to 10. BCL6S , was cloned from the cDNA of a BCL-6 positive cell line, DHL-16. DNA sequencing showed that BCL6S was a normal splicing isoform that excludes the entire exon 7 of the BCL6 gene and encodes a 650 amino acid (aa) protein. BCL6S was detected by RT-PCR in all human cell lines and tissues expressing BCL6, but was not detected in the mouse B cell lymphoma cell line A20. BCL6S accounts for 1/8 to 1/10 of total BCL6 transcripts. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that BCL6S could repress typical BCL6 target genes ( BCL6 , CD23b , Blimp1, MIP1 α ) as effectively as the full length BCL6 . BCL6S retains the last four ZFs of BCL6 and localizes in the cell nucleus. Protein-protein interaction assays confirmed that BCL6 and BCL6S could form homodimers and heterodimers. DNA binding assays showed no affinity differences between BCL6 and BCL6S; however, a single mutation at the N-terminus of the POZ domain (L19 to H) not only disrupted BCL6S dimerization but also significantly decreased the DNA binding affinity, indicating that BCL6 dimerization may stabilize the ZF-DNA binding. In conclusion, we have identified a novel BCL6 splicing isoform. BCL6S, a compact repressor as potent as BCL6. POZ dimerization plays an important role in stabilization of BCL6 DNA binding whereas the first two ZFs are not absolutely required. The biological role of BCL6S in GC B cells needs to be further investigated.
Human Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) Deficiency: Characterization of a Large Kindred With a Null Mutation in the PAI-1 Gene

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), the primary inhibitor of tissue- and urokinase-type plasminogen activators, is considered a critical regulator of the fibrinolytic system. We previously reported a child with abnormal bleeding and complete PAI-1 deficiency caused by a frame-shift mutation in exon 4 of the PAI-1 gene. The purpose of this study was to provide genetic and clinical data on the extended pedigree of the original proband to better define the phenotype associated with PAI-1 deficiency. Allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization was used to genotype individuals, and serum PAI-1 antigen was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. By this approach we have identified 19 individuals who are heterozygous for the PAI-1 null allele and 7 homozygous individuals with complete PAI-1 deficiency. Clinical manifestations of PAI-1 deficiency were restricted to abnormal bleeding, which was observed only after trauma or surgery in homozygous affected individuals. A spectrum of bleeding patterns was observed, including intracranial and joint bleeding after mild trauma, delayed surgical bleeding, severe menstrual bleeding, and frequent bruising. Fibrinolysis inhibitors, including e-aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid, were effective in treating and preventing bleeding episodes. Other than abnormal bleeding, no significant developmental or other abnormalities were observed in homozygous PAI-1–deficient individuals. Heterozygous PAI-1 deficiency was not associated with abnormal bleeding, even after trauma or surgery. These observations define the clinical spectrum of PAI-1 deficiency and provide additional evidence to support the hypothesis that the primary function of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in vivo is to regulate vascular fibrinolysis.
Bioinspired Grippers for Natural Curved Surface Perching

Perching and climbing as animals do is useful to aerial robots for extending mission life and for interacting with the physical world because flight is energetically costly. This paper presents the design and modeling of a claw or spine based gripper for perching on rough, curved surfaces. Drawing inspiration from the opposed grip techniques found in animals, we focus on the design considerations associated with surface geometry and preload. A model elucidates the relationship between these variables, and a mechanism demonstrates the effectiveness of the opposed grip technique.
Small Molecule Enhancement of 20S Proteasome Activity Targets Intrinsically Disordered Proteins.

The 20S proteasome is the main protease for the degradation of oxidatively damaged and intrinsically disordered proteins. When accumulation of disordered or oxidatively damaged proteins exceeds proper clearance in neurons, imbalanced pathway signaling or aggregation occurs, which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurological disorders. Screening of the NIH Clinical Collection and Prestwick libraries identified the neuroleptic agent chlorpromazine as a lead agent capable of enhancing 20S proteasome activity. Chemical manipulation of chlorpromazine abrogated its D2R receptor binding affinity while retaining its ability to enhance 20S mediated proteolysis at low micromolar concentrations. The resulting small molecule enhancers of 20S proteasome activity induced the degradation of intrinsically disordered proteins, α-synuclein, and tau but not structured proteins. These small molecule 20S agonists can serve as leads to explore the therapeutic potential of 20S activation or as new tools to p...
Interaction of the cyclic-di-GMP binding protein FimX and the Type 4 pilus assembly ATPase promotes pilus assembly.

Type IVa pili (T4P) are bacterial surface structures that enable motility, adhesion, biofilm formation and virulence. T4P are assembled by nanomachines that span the bacterial cell envelope. Cycles of T4P assembly and retraction, powered by the ATPases PilB and PilT, allow bacteria to attach to and pull themselves along surfaces, so-called “twitching motility”. These opposing ATPase activities must be coordinated and T4P assembly limited to one pole for bacteria to show directional movement. How this occurs is still incompletely understood. Herein, we show that the c-di-GMP binding protein FimX, which is required for T4P assembly in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, localizes to the leading pole of twitching bacteria. Polar FimX localization requires both the presence of T4P assembly machine proteins and the assembly ATPase PilB. PilB itself loses its polar localization pattern when FimX is absent. We use two different approaches to confirm that FimX and PilB interact in vivo and in vitro, and further show that point mutant alleles of FimX that do not bind c-di-GMP also do not interact with PilB. Lastly, we demonstrate that FimX positively regulates T4P assembly and twitching motility by promoting the activity of the PilB ATPase, and not by stabilizing assembled pili or by preventing PilT-mediated retraction. Mutated alleles of FimX that no longer bind c-di-GMP do not allow rapid T4P assembly in these assays. We propose that by virtue of its high-affinity for c-di-GMP, FimX can promote T4P assembly when intracellular levels of this cyclic nucleotide are low. As P. aeruginosa PilB is not itself a high-affinity c-di-GMP receptor, unlike many other assembly ATPases, FimX may play a key role in coupling T4P mediated motility and adhesion to levels of this second messenger.
Jumpstarting Modelling Systems Design: A Generalized Xml Abstraction Of Simulation Model:

While many complex models and simulations exist, tools to help evaluate the structure of work between humans and autonomous systems are underdeveloped. There is a need to understand what concepts of operations and function allocations of system(s) imply about the system' efficiency and outcome. In this paper, we define key elements necessary to capture in an abstraction schematic, a formal representation, of “work” for simulation systems, implemented with an example simulation system, Work Models that Compute (WMC5). This generalization has many applications in evaluating the understanding key cognitive domains in autonomy, coherency, function allocation, and more. We provide a simple methodology to generate an abstraction schematic for simulations and walk through building such a schematic for a simulation. This system creates a template (e.g. defining skeletons classes, objects, and methods) for programmers to further develop. This paper demonstrates the importance of abstraction schematics for model ev...
All-cause mortality in patients with basal and squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background There are varying reports of the association of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with mortality. Objective To synthesize the available information on all-cause mortality after a diagnosis of BCC or SCC in the general population. Methods We searched PubMed (1966-present), Web of Science (1898-present), and Embase (1947-present) and hand-searched to identify additional records. All English articles that reported all-cause mortality in patients with BCC or SCC were eligible. We excluded case reports, case series, and studies in subpopulations of patients. Random effects model meta-analyses were performed separately for BCC and SCC. Results The searches yielded 6538 articles, and 156 were assessed in a full-text review. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria, and 4 were included in the meta-analysis (encompassing 464,230 patients with BCC and with 175,849 SCC), yielding summary relative mortalities of 0.92 (95% confidence interval, 0.83-1.02) in BCC and 1.25 (95% confidence interval, 1.17-1.32) in SCC. Limitations Only a minority of studies controlled for comorbidities. There was significant heterogeneity in meta-analysis (χ 2 P I 2 > 98%), but studies of SCC were qualitatively concordant: all showed statistically significant increased relative mortality. Conclusions We found that patients with SCC are at higher risk for death from any cause compared with the general population.
In-Memory Execution of Compute Kernels Using Flow-Based Memristive Crossbar Computing

Rebooting computing using in-memory architectures relies on the ability of emerging devices to execute a legacy software stack. In this paper, we present our approach of executing compute kernels written in a subset of the C programming language using flow-based computing on nanoscale memristor crossbars. Our approach also tests the correctness of the design using the parallel Xyces electronic simulation software. We demonstrate the potential of our approach by designing and testing a compute kernel for edge detection in images.
Feasibility of Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration Cytology Specimens for Next Generation Sequencing in Non-small-cell Lung Cancer.

Abstract Introduction Next generation sequencing (NGS) testing of lung cancer is recommended by guidelines, and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) often provides the only material available for testing. Previous studies have demonstrated successful NGS testing on cell block samples obtained by EBUS; however, cytology smears provide a more reliable sample with better DNA quality for testing. In this study, we aimed to determine the success rate of OncoScreen (50 gene) and OncoPlus (1213 gene) panel NGS testing of cytology samples obtained by EBUS utilizing 22- and 25-gauge needles. Methods Fifty-four patients underwent EBUS-TBNA of lung cancer for which NGS testing was requested. Data was analyzed for needle gauge, cytologic assessment, NGS test success, and sample type (cytology smear or cell block) used for testing. Results Eighty-five NGS tests were ordered on 54 samples. Overall, 95.3% of samples had successful testing. OncoScreen and OncoPlus panels were successful 98.0% and 91.4% of the time, respectively. Cytology smears provided testing material for 85% of the tests. OncoScreen testing was successful in 97.5% and 100% of the 22- and 25-gauge samples, respectively (P = 1.00). OncoPlus testing was successful in 91.3% and 100% of the 22- and 25-gauge samples, respectively (P = 1.00). Conclusions NGS can be reliably performed on cytology smears obtained from EBUS-TBNA. The size of the needle does not seem to affect the success rate of small or large panel NGS tests.
The Long-Term Impact of Neurofeedback on Symptom Burden and Interference in Patients With Chronic Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy: Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Context Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of cancer treatment and may adversely affect quality of life (QOL) for years. Objectives We explored the long-term effects of electroencephalographic neurofeedback (NFB) as a treatment for CIPN and other aspects of QOL. Methods Seventy-one cancer survivors (mean age 62.5; 87% females) with CIPN were randomized to NFB or to a waitlist control (WLC) group. The NFB group underwent 20 sessions of NFB where rewards were given for voluntary changes in electroencephalography. Measurements of pain, cancer-related symptoms, QOL, sleep, and fatigue were obtained at baseline, end of treatment, and one and four months later. Results Seventy one participants enrolled in the study. At the end of treatment, 30 in the NFB group and 32 in the WLC group completed assessments; at four months, 23 in the NFB group and 28 in the WLC completed assessments. Linear mixed model analysis revealed significant group × time interaction for pain severity. A general linear model determined that the NFB group had greater improvements in worst pain (primary outcome) and other symptoms such as numbness, cancer-related symptom severity, symptom interference, physical functioning, general health, and fatigue compared with the WLC group at the end of treatment and four months (all P Conclusion NFB appears to result in long-term reduction in multiple CIPN symptoms and improved postchemotherapy QOL and fatigue.
Rationality and Commitment

This paper discusses the function of principles of rationality in inquiry and deliberation rather than the content of such principles. Appealing to the belief-doubt model of inquiry pioneered by C. S. Peirce and J. Dewey, I shall argue that principles of rationality should impose weak constraints on the coherence of the beliefs, values and choices of deliberating and inquiring agents. Efforts to derive substantial moral or theoretical deliverances from such principles are, thereby, ruled out of court.
Prologue. Looking Back—Looking Ahead

On this Thirtieth Anniversary of the University of Utah Postgraduate Course in Anesthesiology, it seems timely to look back. How and why did this program start? What nourished the idea? What was practice like then? Who was responsible for the early beginnings and for bringing the course to where it is today. And finally, what does the future hold for such courses?
Empirical Expression of Permeability in Terms of Other Petrophysical Properties

Using the multi-variable linear regression analysis, the author developed empirical expressions for permeability in terms of porosity, specific surface area, and irreducible fluid saturation for four carbonate reservoir rock areas in the USSR. The coefficient of correlation varied from 0.981 to 0.997.
Zinc depletion induces ribosome hibernation in mycobacteria.

Bacteria respond to zinc starvation by replacing ribosomal proteins that have the zinc-binding CXXC motif (C+) with their zinc-free (C−) paralogues. Consequences of this process beyond zinc homeostasis are unknown. Here, we show that the C− ribosome in Mycobacterium smegmatis is the exclusive target of a bacterial protein Y homolog, referred to as mycobacterial-specific protein Y (MPY), which binds to the decoding region of the 30S subunit, thereby inactivating the ribosome. MPY binding is dependent on another mycobacterial protein, MPY recruitment factor (MRF), which is induced on zinc depletion, and interacts with C− ribosomes. MPY binding confers structural stability to C− ribosomes, promoting survival of growth-arrested cells under zinc-limiting conditions. Binding of MPY also has direct influence on the dynamics of aminoglycoside-binding pockets of the C− ribosome to inhibit binding of these antibiotics. Together, our data suggest that zinc limitation leads to ribosome hibernation and aminoglycoside resistance in mycobacteria. Furthermore, our observation of the expression of the proteins of C− ribosomes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a mouse model of infection suggests that ribosome hibernation could be relevant in our understanding of persistence and drug tolerance of the pathogen encountered during chemotherapy of TB.
Binge-Type Eating in Rats is Facilitated by Neuromedin U Receptor 2 in the Nucleus Accumbens and Ventral Tegmental Area

Binge-eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder, characterized by rapid, recurrent overconsumption of highly palatable food in a short time frame. BED shares an overlapping behavioral phenotype with obesity, which is also linked to the overconsumption of highly palatable foods. The reinforcing properties of highly palatable foods are mediated by the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA), which have been implicated in the overconsumption behavior observed in BED and obesity. A potential regulator of binge-type eating behavior is the G protein-coupled receptor neuromedin U receptor 2 (NMUR2). Previous research demonstrated that NMUR2 knockdown potentiates binge-type consumption of high-fat food. We correlated binge-type consumption across a spectrum of fat and carbohydrate mixtures with synaptosomal NMUR2 protein expression in the NAc and VTA of rats. Synaptosomal NMUR2 protein in the NAc demonstrated a strong positive correlation with binge intake of a “lower”-fat (higher carbohydrate) mixture, whereas synaptosomal NMUR2 protein in the VTA demonstrated a strong negative correlation with binge intake of an “extreme” high-fat (0% carbohydrate) mixture. Taken together, these data suggest that NMUR2 may differentially regulate binge-type eating within the NAc and the VTA.
Chapter 17 – Liquid chromatography in the pharmaceutical industry

The primary focus of separation scientists supporting pharmaceutical drug development is to provide evidence of safety of medicines administered to patients and volunteers during clinical trials. This critical objective is achieved through application of various forms of state-of-the-art separation science techniques, often combined with spectroscopic detection techniques. The role of separation science, which plays a pivotal role in all phases of pharmaceutical drug development, is extensively described in the introductory part of this contribution. The early stages of pharmaceutical drug development typically require chromatographic techniques that provide very high resolution. This is essential as, at this stage of development, a relatively large number of process-related impurities, synthetic intermediates, and degradation products must be separated to characterize starting materials and products of chemical synthesis. In the first part of this chapter, we focus on multiple ways of enhancing chromatographic resolution for the purposes of satisfying these early development demands. In the later stages of the drug development process, when the manufacturing processes are being qualified, the emphasis shifts from resolution to speed, ruggedness, and robustness. The second part of this chapter provides an overview of useful tools and techniques that may be applied in such a setting. In the final part of this chapter, we focus on novel trends in chromatographic method development related to the analytical quality by design initiative (AQbD). In this section, we also provide references to some recent research aimed at structure-driven prediction of chromatographic retention which can be used to drive early stages (scoping) of method development.
Separating within-person from between-person effects in the longitudinal co-occurrence of depression and different anxiety syndromes in youth

Abstract Cross-lagged panel models (CLPM) are often used to study anxiety-depression co-occurrence. However, the CLPM aggregates within- and between-person variance, which can lead to incorrect estimates. The latent curve model with structured residuals (LCM-SR) parses these sources of variance. We utilized the LCM-SR to examine prospective associations between anxiety (physical, social, separation) and depression. Youth (N = 680; Mage = 11.8; 55% female) completed measures of depression and anxiety every 3 months for 3 years (13 timepoints). The LCM-SR describing anxiety-depression co-occurrence fit well (RMSEA = 0.05, SRMR = 0.06). Depression predicted within-person change in social (b = 0.09), physical (b = 0.04), and separation anxiety (b = 0.06) over 13 timepoints. Separation anxiety predicted within-person change in depression (b = 0.08); social and physical anxiety did not. Findings advance knowledge of within-person development of anxiety-depression co-occurrence.
The Enigmatic Genus Lacconotopedilus Pic, 1935 (Coleoptera: Mycteridae: Eurypinae), with a New Species and the First Genus Record from Equatorial Africa

Lacconotopedilus pollockisp. nov., the first representative of its genus from the Guineo-Congolian lowland rainforests, is described and illustrated. Species checklist is provided.
Automated Quantification of Immunohistochemical Staining of Large Animal Brain Tissue Using QuPath Software

Large scale unbiased quantification of immunohistochemistry (IHC) is time consuming, expensive, and/or limited in scope. Heterogeneous tissue types such as brain tissue have presented a further challenge to the development of automated analysis, as differing cellular morphologies result in either limited applicability or require large amounts of training tissue for machine-learning methods. Here we present the use of QuPath, a free and open source software, to quantify whole-brain sections stained with the immunohistochemical markers IBA1 and AT8, for microglia and phosphorylated tau respectively. The pixel-based method of analysis herein allows for statistical comparison of global protein expression between brains and generates heat-maps of stain intensity, visualizing stain signal across whole sections and permitting more specific investigation of regions of interest. This method is fast, automated, unbiased, and easily replicable. We compared swine brains that had undergone a closed head traumatic brain injury with brains of sham animals, and found a global increase in both microglial signal expression and phosphorylated tau. We discuss the IHC methods necessary to utilize this analysis and provide detailed instruction on the use of QuPath in the pixel-based analysis of whole-slide images.
Satisfaction and perceptions of research participants in clinical and translational studies: An urban multi-institution with CTSA.

Purpose To examine research participants' levels of satisfaction and perceptions and aid researchers to better engage research volunteers from all racial and ethnic populations in clinical trials. A participant satisfaction survey was developed that focused on three domains to reflect satisfaction with delivery of care, environment, and center operations. In addition, the survey contained open-ended questions to reflect overall experiences and perceptions. Two hundred and seventy-eight participants (55% African American and 29% non-Hispanic Whites) with an average age of 52 years completed the survey. Results The results indicated that the majority of the participants rated their satisfaction very highly across all domains. Ninety percent stated they were very satisfied/satisfied or very strongly agreed/agreed in the three domains. Obtaining high-quality care/access to health care professionals (60%), learning more about their illness/disease (60%), and helping others (57%) were noted as important factors in choosing to participate in a trial. Regarding overall experience, majority of respondents stated that friendliness, expertise of staff, learning more about their disease, and contributing to science were important. Further, financial compensation was not a primary motivation for participation. A majority of participants stated that they would participate in future studies and would recommend a friend or a family member to participate in clinical trials. Conclusions The findings indicate that the degree of satisfaction with the research staff and with the specific trial itself are important determinants for enrolling, completing a study, and for participating in future trials.