cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chemical and Hydrodynamic Mechanisms for Long-Term Geological Carbon Storage

Geological storage of CO2 (GCS), also referred to as carbon sequestration, is a critical component for decreasing anthropogenic CO2 atmospheric emissions. Stored CO2 will exist as a supercritical phase, most likely in deep, saline, sedimentary reservoirs. Research at the Center for Frontiers of Subsurface Energy Security (CFSES), a Department of Energy, Energy Frontier Research Center, provides insights into the storage process. The integration of pore-scale experiments, molecular dynamics simulations, and study of natural analogue sites has enabled understanding of the efficacy of capillary, solubility, and dissolution trapping of CO2 for GCS. Molecular dynamics simulations provide insight on relative wetting of supercritical CO2 and brine hydrophilic and hydrophobic basal surfaces of kaolinite. Column experiments of successive supercritical CO2/brine flooding with high-resolution X-ray computed tomography imaging show a greater than 10% difference of residual trapping of CO2 in hydrophobic media compare...
An Evaluation of Management Curricula in the American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business

The article discusses a study conducted by American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business to determine the effectiveness of management curricula. The authors call for better evaluation of t...
Susceptibility to Lysozyme of Staphylococci

SummaryAll strains of sarcinae (17) and lemon staphylococci (4) studied were readily dissolved by lysozyme. None of the 99 white or orange staphylococci studied showed marked susceptibility, but certain strains were dissolved by higher concentrations of enzyme. There was a definite, although not absolute, negative correlation between orange pigment, the ability to ferment mannite or produce coagulase on the one hand and susceptibility to lysozyme on the other.
Hydrocarbon Waxes from a Salt in Water: The C1 Polymerization of Trimethylsulfoxonium Halide

We report the synthesis of polymethylene waxes, a surrogate of PE waxes, by a controlled polymerization reaction in water at or near r.t. and under atmospheric pressure. The monomer, dimethylsulfoxonium methylide, is generated in situ from a salt, trimethylsulfoxonium halide. The carbon sources for the polymerizations are C1 molecules, which can be derived from nonpetroleum feedstock. DMSO serves as the C1 carrier and is not consumed. The reaction is initiated and catalyzed by trialkylboranes, compounds that are stable in water. A certain degree of molecular weight control is achieved by adjusting the stoichiometry of “salt” to organoborane. Polymethylene, the simplest hydrocarbon polymer, is a semicrystalline material. The room temperature polymerization produces a linear polymer approximately 100 °C below its melting temperature (Tm). The supercooled polymers rapidly crystallize into flat nanoparticles comprised of stacked lamellae.
Use of Anonymous Sources Declines in U.S. Newspapers

Recent media scandals have renewed the debate about the use of anonymous sources. This content analysis shows a decline in the number of anonymous sources in 2004 compared with 2003.
Influence of Urban Roadside Trees on Vehicular Pollutant Diffusion in Fuzhou

Three kinds of typical roadside trees were selected as samples in the center of Fuzhou.CO concentration was separately recorded in the street and the sidewalk covered with trees by using CO as a vehicular pollutant tracer.The variation of CO concentration between streets and sidewalks was analyzed at different height.The results showed that different structure of roadside trees had notable effect to vehicular pollutant diffusion.The most beneficial to vehicular pollutant diffusion was the road with lower canopy density;the road with higher canopy density and the branch were not beneficial to vehicular pollutant diffusion.Its diffusion into sidewalk was hazardous to the pedestrians.Diffusing effect depended on the structure of crown.According to the research,the diffusing effect was the best when canopy density and shelterbelt porosity were lower,the diffusing effect was the worst when the canopy density and shelterbelt porosity were higher.
Accuracy of computed tomography in nodal staging of colon cancer patients.

AIM: To predict node-positive disease in colon cancer using computed tomography (CT). METHODS: American Joint Committee on Cancer stage I-III colon cancer patients who underwent curavtive-intent colectomy between 2007-2010 were identified at a single comprehensive cancer center. All patients had preoperative CT scans with original radiology reports from referring institutions. CT images underwent blinded secondary review by a surgeon and a dedicated abdominal radiologist at our institution to identify pericolonic lymph nodes (LNs). Comparison of outside CT reports to our independent imaging review was performed in order to highlight differences in detection in actual clinical practice. CT reviews were compared with final pathology. Results of the outside radiologist review, secondary radiologist review, and surgeon review were compared with the final pathologic exam to determine sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, false positive and negative rates, and accuracy of each review. Exclusion criteria included evidence of metastatic disease on CT, rectal or appendiceal involvement, or absence of accompanying imaging from referring institutions. RESULTS: From 2007 to 2010, 64 stageI-III colon cancer patients met the eligibility criteria of our study. The mean age of the cohort was 68 years, and 26 (41%) patients were male and 38 (59%) patients were female. On final pathology, 26 of 64 (40.6%) patients had node-positive (LN+) disease and 38 of 64 (59.4%) patients had node-negative (LN-) disease. Outside radiologic review demonstrated sensitivity of 54% (14 of 26 patients) and specificity of 66% (25 of 38 patients) in predicting LN+ disease, whereas secondary radiologist review demonstrated 88% (23 of 26) sensitivity and 58% (22 of 38) specificity. On surgeon review, sensitivity was 69% (18 of 26) with 66% specificity (25 of 38). Secondary radiology review demonstrated the highest accuracy (70%) and the lowest false negative rate (12%), compared to the surgeon review at 67% accuracy and 31% false negative rate and the outside radiology review at 61% accuracy and 46% false negative rate. CONCLUSION: CT LN staging of colon cancer has moderate accuracy, with administration of NCT based on CT potentially resulting in overtreatment. Active search for LN+ may improve sensitivity at the cost of specificity.
72 Morbidity and Mortality Associated with Congenital Heart Disease in Adults with Trisomy 21 (T21)

Background Trisomy 21 is frequently associated with congenital heart disease (CHD). Survival and life expectancy has increased as a result of surgical intervention and medical therapies. The NORPAP GUCH database, started in 1993, has 2668 patients. Methodology Patients with Trisomy 21 were selected from the NORPAP database. Population demographics, underlying diagnosis, comorbidities and mortality were analysed. Results 110 patients had T21; Mean 34 years, Median 30 years, M:F 1.1:1 (Figure 1). Underlying CHD was AV Canal defect 57 (51.8%), VSD 30 (27.3%), Fallot Repair 10 (9.1%), Secundum ASD 6 (5.5%), Bicuspid Aortic Valve 3 (2.7%), Mitral Regurgitation 1 (0.9%), Single Ventricle 1 (0.9%), Pulmonary Stenosis 1 (0.9%), PDA 1 (0.9%). 61 (55%) patients had had surgery. Of those under 40, 51% were unoperated. Death occurred in 9 patients (9%). Average age at death 46 years. 78% of deaths were in patients with AV Canal defect. Mode of death was cardiac in 8 and PAH-CHD was present in all but one. Figure 2 shows associated comorbidities. 35% have PAH -– 59% receivetargeted therapy. Conclusion AV Canal defect was the most frequent underlying CHD in the T21 NORPAP cohort and was associated with the highest mortality. 1/3 of all patients had PAH and 1/4 of these died during follow up. Survival into the 4th and 5th decade is frequent. Patients in the 3rd decade now may expect to survive for another 25–30 years. Ongoing cardiac and non-cardiac morbidity requires dedicated CHD clinics, frequently with PAH clinicians given that 50% of those under 40 have not had surgery and may need targeted therapy.
The Effect of Trophic Agents on Fetal Ovarian Steroidogenesis in Organ Culture

Sexual dimorphism in fetal gonadal steroid secretions has been well documented. Whereas the human fetal testis is steroidogenically active in utero, the fetal ovary is relatively quiescent. The ovaries of three fetuses ( 12, 20, and 22 weeks' gestational age) were cultured as controls or in the presence of follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone (FSH/LH), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), or N 6 ,0 2 -dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3 ':5 '-monophosphate (Bu 2 cAMP) in order to evaluate spontaneous and stimulated production of progesterone (P), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione (A), testosterone (T), estrone (E 1 ), and estradiol (E 2 ). A 2-to 7-fold increase in progesterone was observed after 96 hours of incubation, and the addition of Bu 2 cAMP caused a further significant increase in progesterone production. Although FSH/LH produced a small increase in progesterone, no effect was observed in the presence of HCG. Significant spontaneous production was also observed for DHEA, A, E 1 and E 2 after 96 hours. The response of these steroids to trophic agents was similar to that of progesterone. Testosterone concentrations were nondetectable in the media of two of the three ovaries cultured, and no stimulation by trophic hormones was demonstrated. Under these in vitro conditions, the results suggest that: (1) the fetal ovary is steroidogenically active in utero, and (2) a deficiency of LH-like receptors and an intrinsic enzyme deficiency may compromise estrogen steroidogenesis and prohibit testosterone production in the fetal ovary prior to 22 weeks.
The intestinal loops of Bluegill fish, Lepomis macrochirus

The structural configurations of the intestinal loops of bluegill fish (Lepomis macrochirus) and a correlation of their probable functional significance have been investigated. The bluegill fish accommodates its relatively large intestine in its smaller body cavity by developing two intestinal loops. Regional variations in the intestinal wall exist due to the presence of the intestinal loops. The structural complexity of the intestine by loop formation has apparently created a problem by posing an obstruction as well as deviation to the smooth flow of food. In order to solve this problem structural modifications in the walls of the intestinal loops are needed, as is observed by the variation in muscle thickness of greater and lesser curvature of both the intestinal loops.
Halogenated Flame Retardants in the Great Lakes Environment

Flame retardants are widely used industrial chemicals that are added to polymers, such as polyurethane foam, to prevent them from rapidly burning if exposed to a small flame or a smoldering cigarette. Flame retardants, especially brominated flame retardants, are added to many polymeric products at percent levels and are present in most upholstered furniture and mattresses. Most of these chemicals are so-called "additive" flame retardants and are not chemically bound to the polymer; thus, they migrate from the polymeric materials into the environment and into people. As a result, some of these chemicals have become widespread pollutants, which is a concern given their possible adverse health effects. Perhaps because of their environmental ubiquity, the most heavily used group of brominated flame retardants, the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), was withdrawn from production and use during the 2004-2013 period. This led to an increasing demand for other flame retardants, including other brominated aromatics and organophosphate esters. Although little is known about the use or production volumes of these newer flame retardants, it is evident that some of these chemicals are also becoming pervasive in the environment and in humans. In this Account, we describe our research on the occurrence of halogenated and organophosphate flame retardants in the environment, with a specific focus on the Great Lakes region. This Account starts with a short introduction to the first generation of brominated flame retardants, the polybrominated biphenyls, and then presents our measurements of their replacement, the PBDEs. We summarize our data on PBDE levels in babies, bald eagles, and in air. Once these compounds came off the market, we began to measure several of the newer flame retardants in air collected on the shores of the Great Lakes once every 12 days. These new measurements focus on a tetrabrominated benzoate, a tetrabrominated phthalate, a hexabrominated diphenoxyethane, several brominated benzenes, and a highly chlorinated norbornene compound called Dechlorane Plus. Most recently, we have begun measuring the atmospheric concentrations of several organophosphate esters, which are an increasing part of the flame retardant market. The interesting feature of this story is how one compound or set of compounds has followed another out of and into the marketplace even though none of them have been officially regulated. This replacement of one commercial product by another with similar functions shows that the chemical industry does respond to scientific environmental measurements and to the resulting bad publicity. This is a good thing. The problem is that often the replacement chemicals also become environmentally ubiquitous.
Animal models of helicobacter pylori infection

Experimentation in animal models is essential to fully understand the biology of H. pylori. Although a variety of animals have been successfully infected with H. pylori, current studies most commonly use either mice, Mongolian gerbils, or nonhuman primates, each of which has strengths and weaknesses. The mouse is inexpensive and convenient, and the elegant genetics permits dissection of the host response to infection. However, the function of the H. pylori type IV secretion system—the best-known virulence factor—is commonly lost during colonization of mice. This occurs less frequently in the gerbil, which also has the major advantage that some H. pylori strains cause gastric adenocarcinoma during relatively short-term colonization. But there is no genetics available in the gerbil and there are fewer reagents available than for the mouse. Nonhuman primates are physiologically most similar to humans and are naturally infected with H. pylori, but are limited by high cost and availability. Choice of the most appropriate model depends on the question, resources, and the availability of local expertise.
Why Did the Phase III Clinical Trials for Progesterone in TBI Fail? An Analysis of Three Potentially Critical Factors

Despite hundreds of positive preclinical studies and two successful Phase II clinical trials, two large Phase III trials of progesterone treatment for traumatic brain injury were recently ended with no finding of any difference between the test drug and placebo. This chapter discusses some possible reasons for this outcome and proposes returning to Phase II and using a more effective clinical trial design. Specifically, we propose dose and duration of treatment optimization following allometric scaling principles to convert rat mg/kg/day dose to the appropriate human dose. We also propose to verify that the vehicle, at the concentration needed for patients, does not have antiinflammatory or neuroprotective clinical effects. Finally, preclinical animal studies should be conducted to determine whether the lipid vehicles used might alter the drug effects at the required concentrations.
Exposure-response (E-R) and case-control analyses of ramucirumab leading to recommendation for dosing optimization in patients with gastric cancer.

2578 Background: Ramucirumab was approved for the treatment of advanced gastric or gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma in combination with paclitaxel based on an efficacy and safety trial tha...
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis – Changing Times, Changing Terms, Changing Treatments

1. Susan Shenoi, MBBS, MS* 1. *Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology, University of Washington School of Medicine & Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA * Abbreviations: ALT: : alanine aminotransferase ANA: : antinuclear antibody AST: : aspartate aminotransferase CARRA: : Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance CBC: : complete blood cell CRP: : C-reactive protein DMARD: : disease-modifying antirheumatic drug ERA: : enthesitis-related arthritis ESR: : erythrocyte sedimentation rate FDA: : Food and Drug Administration HLA: : human leukocyte antigen IAS: : intraarticular corticosteroid injection IL: : interleukin ILAR: : International League of Associations for Rheumatology IV: : intravenous JIA: : juvenile idiopathic arthritis MAS: : macrophage activation syndrome NSAID: : nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug PVNS: : pigmented villonodular synovitis RF: : rheumatoid factor SJIA: : systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis TMJ: : temporomandibular joint TNF: : tumor necrosis factor The management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) has changed radically over the last few decades. This article provides an update on identification of JIA, complications of the condition, and common management strategies to help practitioners treat affected children in conjunction with other specialists as part of a multidisciplinary team. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Recognize the clinical findings associated with the various categories of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). 2. Recognize the laboratory findings associated with the different categories of JIA and its complications. 3. Formulate a differential diagnosis for children with joint pain. 4. Recognize the long-term complications associated with JIA. 5. Plan the appropriate management of JIA while recognizing adverse effects of some therapies. Arthritis is a common cause of disability in childhood. In children, the condition previously was known as juvenile chronic arthritis or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Currently, the preferred name for childhood arthritis is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) because this term denotes the idiopathic or unknown cause of the condition. The exact incidence and prevalence of JIA is unknown and likely varies across the world. The estimated incidence and prevalence of JIA in the United States is approximately 14 per 100,000 children (95% confidence interval: 10–18) and 113 per 100,000 (95% confidence interval: 55–155), respectively. (1) JIA is believed to have a multifactorial etiology, with both genetic and nongenetic (ie, environmental) contributing causes. Due to the paucity of practicing pediatric rheumatologists, pediatricians or family practice physicians often are “on the front line” for initial identification and treatment of JIA. This article focuses on key points for diagnosis and initial evaluation of JIA and provides an overview of treatment. According …
Education of Traditional Healers

I describe how individuals decide to become traditional healers, their initiation process, training, accreditation, and ongoing education. A traditional healer describes how she was ‘called’ to be a healer. I describe some differences between becoming a healer in Africa and the west.
Early Evidence of Cardiotoxicity and Tumor Response in Patients with Sarcomas after High Cumulative Dose Doxorubicin Given as a Continuous Infusion.

Background. Despite the dose-dependent response rate of sarcomas to doxorubicin, clinicians limit its cumulative dose due to cardiotoxicity. This study evaluates early evidence of cardiotoxicity in patients treated with high-dose doxorubicin given as a continuous infusion. Methods. Data was collected on patients who received 90 mg/m2 doxorubicin as a continuous infusion and 10 gm/m2 ifosfamide for up to 6 cycles as part of a phase II study. Cardiotoxicity was assessed with serial echocardiograms or multigated acquisition scans and serum brain natriuretic peptide and troponin levels. Tumor responses were determined by serial radiographic imaging per RECIST. Result. Out of the 48 patients enrolled, no patient developed heart failure symptoms; however, 4 out of the 38 (10%) patients with serial left ventricular ejection fraction assessments developed subclinical cardiotoxicity (asymptomatic drop in LVEF ≥ 10%). Twenty-three patients received all six 72-hour cycles of doxorubicin with a mean cumulative dose of 540 mg/m2. Among these patients, 4% ( ) developed subclinical cardiotoxicity. In the advanced disease group ( ), patients with a complete or partial response received a higher mean cumulative dose than those with stable disease ( ). Conclusions. Doxorubicin cardiotoxicity can be limited by administering doxorubicin as a continuous infusion, allowing higher cumulative dosing to maximize efficacy.
I am a United Academic Worker.

Nine days before my scheduled dissertation defense, my then-spouse and I split up. I was able to navigate this enormous life event and get through my defense with the support of a counselor, provided by my university's student health center. When my father received a chilling medical diagnosis, this
Driveline Backlash Identification and Torsional Defects Detection Using Torque Signatures Analysis for an IC Engine Cold Test Stand

Engine cold testing process depends mainly on the feedback of the mounted sensors on the driveline and the engine itself. Feedback signals carry information about the rotating speed, the engine noise and vibration, the manifold pressures, and the torque values. The clarity of these signals affects the accuracy and utility of the cold test during the engine development. The engine, the driveline, and the electric motor system operate at high speeds that generate axial and lateral vibrations. The failure of any part of the assembly distorts the signals and induces backlash or harmonic amplifications. This paper presents results on the harmonic distortions and a methodology to locate and eliminate the mechanical interruption source.
Information System usage within Small Business Firms

This project investigates the use of information systems by small business firms. Five research objectives guided the analysis of this project. These objectives are: 1) sectoral differences relativ...
Accelerated alcohol use across adolescence predicts early adult symptoms of alcohol use disorder via reward-related neural function.

Background Alcohol use is commonly initiated during adolescence, with earlier onset known to increase the risk for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Altered function in neural reward circuitry is thought to increase the risk for AUD. To test the hypothesis that adolescent alcohol misuse primes the brain for alcohol-related psychopathology in early adulthood, we examined whether adolescent alcohol consumption rates predicted reward responsivity in the ventral striatum (VS), and in turn, AUD symptoms in adulthood. Methods A total of 139 low income, racially diverse urban males reported on their alcohol use at ages 11, 12, 15, and 17; completed self-reports of personality, psychiatric interviews, and a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan at age 20; and completed a psychiatric interview at age 22. We measured adolescent alcohol use trajectories using latent growth curve modeling and measured neural responses to monetary reward using a VS region of interest. We tested indirect effects of adolescent alcohol use on AUD symptoms at age 22 via VS reward-related reactivity at age 20. Results Greater acceleration in adolescent alcohol use predicted increased VS response during reward anticipation at age 20. VS reactivity to reward anticipation at age 20 predicted AUD symptoms at age 22, over and above concurrent symptoms. Accelerated adolescent alcohol use predicted AUD symptoms in early adulthood via greater VS reactivity to reward anticipation. Conclusions Prospective findings support a pathway through which adolescent alcohol use increases the risk for AUD in early adulthood by impacting reward-related neural functioning. These results highlight increased VS reward-related reactivity as a biomarker for AUD vulnerability.
To See or NOsee: The Debate on the Nocebo Effect and Optimizing the Use of Biosimilars.

In addition to the general clinical benefit offered, biosimilars may not only generate savings for healthcare budgets but also improve patient access to biologic products. Since the first biosimilar was approved in Europe in 2006, a further 36 different biosimilar drugs have been approved for several indications. Despite the wealth of experience gained and the reported data supporting the use of biosimilars, both in naive and biologic-experienced patients, some healthcare professionals continue to express doubt regarding the rigorous approval process for biosimilars and uncertainty with how to incorporate them into daily clinical practice. These opinions can be transferred to patients through poor or lack of communication, meaning that patients may lack confidence in treatment quality and, as a result, be susceptible to the nocebo effect. At the 2017 American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals annual meeting, during a debate the question was asked as to whether the nocebo effect was in fact being used to describe “any result you don’t agree with”. Here, we detail that the nocebo effect has been demonstrated in a number of clinical trials, and that this effect may negatively affect acceptance in patients switching from an originator product to a biosimilar. Awareness of the potential for the nocebo effect and adoption of enhanced communication techniques may be useful in mitigating the nocebo effect. Effective healthcare professional–patient dialogue is key in transferring confidence to the patient, and has been shown to reduce nocebo effects in patients when switching from an originator to a biosimilar. Biogen International GmbH.
Europa orbiter spacecraft to lander frontier radio relay communications

A versatile relay communications system has been implemented on the highly capable low size, weight, and power (SWaP) space-grade Frontier Radio platform for use on the NASA Europa Clipper mission and other possible future missions. The Frontier Radio, developed by JHU/APL, has been used for traditional Earth-to-spacecraft communication links and has now been enhanced to implement relay communications between two Frontier Radios for use on Europa missions. NASA has been studying a future Europa Lander mission, one variation of which required relay links to a Carrier and Relay Stage (CRS) as well as to the Europa Clipper spacecraft. The relay communications are at X-band, using the same Frontier Radio already in use for direct-to-Earth (DTE) communications. By exploiting the software-defined nature of the Frontier Radio, a new software protocol “relay personality” was created for relay communications. The process of relay-session establishment, loss of lock actions, and emergency communications contingencies are discussed here. The radios each perform self-acquisition by internally sweeping their receivers to lock onto the incoming signal and has a feature to implement Doppler predicts instead of relying on a ground station to sweep the uplink signal frequency as in DTE links. The protocol leverages the existing flight computer/ command and data handling (C&DH) similar to the DTE links. The concept of operations (CONOPS) for the Europa relay links nominally uses scheduled passes preloaded from contact parameter tables, but unscheduled passes are also supported where either node can initiate. These protocols and processes were implemented in flight software running on a Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipeline Stages (MIPS) core located in the radio's field programmable gate array (FPGA). The constraints imposed on the design of the relay communications and the current implementation of this relay protocol is covered in this paper.
Primary Structure and Related Topics

Publisher Summary The amino acid composition of a protein tells the maximum positive or negative charge directly attributable to the protein. The analytical procedure to determine amino acid composition is carried out on specially designed ion-exchange resin columns. The procedure has been highly automated to maximize and control operating parameters, permitting accurate quantitation. Some peptide bonds are difficult to hydrolyze and some amino acids start degrading as soon as they are hydrolyzed. Ninhydrin reacts quantitatively with amino acids at high temperatures. The ninhydrin reaction is used to measure the amount of each amino acid present after chromatographic separation. The amount of color formed is continuously measured with an in-line spectrophotometer. This chapter discusses the principles involved in sequencing and synthesizing proteins. The technique of fingerprinting is the starting point for sequencing. A use for peptide synthesis in food science might be the characterization of an off-flavor caused by a small peptide. One of the more powerful uses of sequencing is its use in the evolutionary characterization of proteins. Evolutionary mapping can be done within a smaller grouping of species with proteins that have rapid mutation rates. Evolutionary studies can also be done within a species by looking at the population densities of the different mutants.
Trends in teaching informatics.

Most of the development of informatics curricula has focused almost exclusively on the technical content of the courses in a curriculum. More recently there has been increasing attention paid to pedagogical and nontechnical subject course material. This paper surveys some of the trends in informatics education relative to pedagogical and nontechnical aspects. Some observations are made on current trends and the importance of these aspects relative to more traditional curricular concerns.
Trabectedin Inhibits EWS-FLI1 and Evicts SWI/SNF from Chromatin in a Schedule-dependent Manner.

Purpose: The successful clinical translation of compounds that target specific oncogenic transcription factors will require an understanding of the mechanism of target suppression to optimize the dose and schedule of administration. We have previously shown trabectedin reverses the gene signature of the EWS-FLI1 transcription factor. In this report, we establish the mechanism of suppression and use it to justify the re-evaluation of this drug in the clinic in Ewing sarcoma patients. Experimental Design: We demonstrate a novel epigenetic mechanism of trabectedin using biochemical fractionation and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (CHIP-Seq). We link the effect to drug schedule and EWS-FLI1 downstream target expression using confocal microscopy, qPCR, western blot analysis and cell viability assays. Finally, we quantitate target suppression within the 3-dimensional architecture of the tumor in vivo using 18F-FLT imaging. Results: Trabectedin evicts the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex from chromatin and redistributes EWS-FLI1 in the nucleus leading to a marked increase in H3K27me3 and H3K9me3 at EWS-FLI1 target genes. These effects only occur at high concentrations of trabectedin leading to suppression of EWS-FLI1 target genes and a loss of cell viability. In vivo, low dose irinotecan is required to improve the magnitude, penetrance and duration of target suppression in the 3-dimensional architecture of the tumor leading to differentiation of the Ewing sarcoma xenograft into benign mesenchymal tissue. Conclusions: These data provide the justification to evaluate trabectedin in the clinic on a short infusion schedule in combination with low dose irinotecan with 18F-FLT PET imaging in Ewing sarcoma patients.
Progress towards optical cryocooling in Mid-IR

Detailed characterization of Tm- and Ho-doped crystals is performed to identify optimum operation parameters for reaching cryogenic temperatures. The energy-gap scaling law states that these materials can deliver double the cooling efficiency compared with the Yb-doped systems. Here, we show our recent measurements of external quantum efficiency 𝜂ext and background absorption 𝛼b in Ho- and Tm-doped YLF and BYF crystals. Together with temperature-dependent spectroscopy, these data are then used to determine the minimum achievable temperature and the optimum cooling wavelengths for each crystal. Finally, the potential of these crystals for implementing mid-IR radiation balanced lasers is discussed.
Humoral Immunity Against HDL Particle: A New Perspective in Cardiovascular Diseases?

BACKGROUND Autoimmune diseases are closely associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Over the last decades, the comprehension of atherosclerosis, the principal initiator of CVD, evolved from a lipidcentered disease to a predominant inflammatory and immune response-driven disease displaying features of autoimmunity against a broad range of auto-antigens, including lipoproteins. Among them, high density lipoproteins (HDL) are important actors of cholesterol transport and bear several anti-atherogenic properties, raising a growing interest as therapeutic targets to decrease atherosclerosis and CVD burden, with nevertheless rather disappointing results so far. Reflecting HDL composition complexity, autoimmune responses and autoantibodies against various HDL components have been reported. RESULTS In this review, we addressed the important complexity of humoral autoimmunity towards HDL and particularly how this autoimmune response could help improving our understanding of HDL biological implication in atherosclerosis and CVD. We also discussed several issues related to specific HDL autoantibody subclasses characteristics, including etiology, prognosis and pathological mechanisms according to Rose criteria. CONCLUSION Finally, we addressed the possible clinical value of using these antibodies not only as potential biomarkers of atherogenesis and CVD, but also as a factor potentially mitigating the benefit of HDL-raising therapies.
Charge Injection in Organic Transistors and its Impact on the Validity of the Extracted Device Parameters

Organic semiconductors have sparked interest given their ease of processing, chemical diversity and tunable optoelectronic properties, which make them viable candidates for incorporation in low-cost, large-area flexible electronics. Nevertheless, transition to market place was not possible because the performance of organic devices has not reached the necessary benchmarks. Inefficient injection of charges from device electrodes into the semiconductor layer represents a significant hurdle in the pursuit of the promised potential of organic semiconductors. In this presentation I will discuss the origin and characterization of contact resistance in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) and the impact on device performance and accuracy in extraction of charge carrier mobility. I will then present a strategy for reducing contact resistance in small molecule and polymeric OFETs, which consists of developing high work function domains at the surface of the injecting electrodes to promote channels of enhanced injection.1 By using this methodology, we demonstrated high-mobility transistors with near ideal current-voltage characteristics, contact resistances of 200 Ωcm, and device charge carrier mobilities of 20 cm2/Vs, independent of the applied gate voltage. I will further discuss fabrication of all-printed OFETs on conventional paper. For such devices, contacts were deposited using aerosol spray and patterned with a digitally printed mask from an office laser printer, at ambient temperature and pressure, while the organic semiconductor was deposited using an office laser printer.2 The method was successfully adopted for manufacturing different types of OFETs that showed an excellent tolerance to extreme bending, confirming its potential for emerging printed electronics applications.
Tax Reform in Kazakhstan, 1993-95: A Cooperative Effort

This article describes what representatives of the foreign organizations advising the Government of Kazakhstan on tax reform (the IMF, OECD, the EU, US Treasury Department, USAID, the law firm of Skadden Arps, and the International Tax and Investment Center (a tiny new non-profit organization) and their local counterparts did to create the new tax law. Also, it provides a “roadmap” to documents produced by these organizations and the Ministry that were donated to the Hoover Institution Archives at Stanford University in March 2019. Finally, it speculates on why the large tax reform organizations provided coordinated advice, without institutional jealousies getting in the way.
Insights into Catalytic Gas-Phase Hydrolysis of Organophosphate Chemical Warfare Agents by MOF-Supported Bimetallic Metal-Oxo Clusters.

Zirconium-based metal–organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs) have been reported to be efficient catalysts for the hydrolysis of organophosphate chemical warfare agents (CWAs) in buffered solutions. However, ...
Reflections on Four Years of Team-Based Learning in First-Year Property

This article reflects what we have learned since the William H. Bowen School of Law’s decision in 2014 to adopt team-based learning in its two real property first-year courses. Since 2014, every Bowen student has learned property in a team-based learning system. The purpose of this article is not to provide a treatise on team-based learning; those details are readily available in excellent articles, books, websites, and even an active, enthusiastic listserv. This article is a reflection on our process of implementation, and the choices (and missteps) we have made as we have worked to make this flexible learning strategy fit the needs of our curriculum, our faculty, and most importantly our students. Our decisions about how best to use this learning strategy have been and continue to be rooted in team-based learning’s essential elements and the core components that frame the experience for our students. Our experience with team-based learning has also forced us to become more expert in learning theory, as we have worked to anticipate and manage any increased social stress team-based learning may cause students, to ensure students use their experiences in a team to improve their individual capacity, and to accurately grade the property course while still motivating students to fully participate in teams. Our own evidence that team-based learning has improved our students’ learning is preliminary, but positive. In 2017 — the first year students taught property with team-based learning were eligible to take the Arkansas Bar Exam — our students scored higher on the MBE property questions relative to the national average than they did in any other tested subject. Team-based learning has challenged our students and us, but our adoption of the learning system has energized our classrooms and reinvigorated our teaching.
CHAPTER 13 – DENSITY MATRICES

Publisher Summary A quantum–mechanical wave function, when it exists, conveys the maximum amount of information permitted by quantum mechanics concerning the properties of a physical system in the state described by the wave function. The wave function may be an eigenfunction of an observable Hermitian operator that represents a physical quantity or a linear superposition of eigenfunctions of an observable. In simple systems for which wave functions exist, it may be impossible to construct a wave function pertaining to a component of the system. It is for treating mixed states that the density matrix formalism was developed, although it is also applicable to pure states. This chapter discusses Fock–Dirac density matrices and spinless density matrices.
Early Distant Recurrence in Patients With Resected Stage I Lung Cancer: A Case Series of "Blast Metastasis".

Abstract Background The standard of care in the management of stage I non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been anatomic lung resection with multistation lymph node sampling of ≥ 10 lymph nodes. The 5-year survival for NSCLC has ranged from 73% to 93% (for stage IB and stage IA, respectively) and will be more favorable for patients with fewer comorbidities and those with a higher state of premorbid functioning and who undergo surgical resection. Despite the positive prognosis for operable stage I NSCLC, a subset of patients will develop metastatic disease within as few as 12 months after resection. Using an institutional database, we have presented the data from 68 patients who had developed distant metastatic recurrence after resection of pathologic stage I NSCLC within 1 year after surgery. Patients and Methods A retrospective study was conducted of a prospectively maintained intuitional database. The final cohort included patients with pathologic stage I NSCLC who had undergone anatomic resection but had subsequently presented with multiple sites of distant recurrence within 1 year. The study period extended from 2003 to 2020. Patients with broad local recurrence or recurrence at a single distant site were excluded. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate the 5-year survival. Results A total of 2827 patients had undergone surgical resection for stage I NSCLC during the 17-year period and 68 met the criteria for inclusion. Most of the patients (n = 48) were smokers, and the dominant histologic type was adenocarcinoma (n = 37). After recurrence, 22 patients (33%) had undergone chemoradiotherapy and 19 (28%) had received chemotherapy alone. The mean and median overall survival were 23.7 and 14 months, respectively. The 5-year survival from recurrence and surgery were both 13.2%. Conclusions Limited data are available on the risk factors for early metastasis after resected stage I NSCLC. The results from our cohort have demonstrated poor survival after recurrence. These data might be the basis for determining a phenotype for patients prone to early widespread metastasis despite seemingly curative surgical resection.
Online academic support during the COVID-19 pandemic:

The shift to entirely online delivery due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for higher education institutions, students and staff. However, it has also led to new opportunities and new ways of working to deliver learning and teaching support online. In this reflective paper, we report on the outcomes of the shift to online academic support at our institution, and we specifically focus on how certain assumptions that we held about our students and our work with colleagues have been challenged over the last few months. We examine the four key areas of focus of our learning and teaching support service: in-class and individual student support, online resources, teaching support, and collaboration with other academic teams. We conclude by reflecting on how we adapted, the outcomes and how this will influence our practice beyond the time of the pandemic.
Management of left ventricular thrombus: a narrative review

Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) is a serious complication of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and also non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. We performed a narrative literature review, manual-search of reference lists of included articles and relevant reviews. Our literature review indicates that the incidence of LVT following acute MI has decreased, probably due to improvement in patient care as a result of better and earlier reperfusion techniques. Predictors of LVT include anterior MI, involvement of left ventricular (LV) apex (regardless of the coronary territory affected), LV akinesis or dyskinesis, reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF), severe diastolic dysfunction and large infarct size. LVT is associated with increased risk of systemic embolism, stroke, cardiovascular events and death, and there is evidence that anticoagulant therapy for at least 3 months can reduce the risk of these events. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has the highest diagnostic accuracy for LVT, followed by echocardiography with the use of echocardiographic contrast agents (ECAs). Although current guidelines suggest use of vitamin K antagonist (VKA) for a minimum of 3 to 6 months, there is growing evidence of the benefits of direct acting oral anticoagulants in treatment of LVT. Embolic events appear to occur even after resolution of LVT suggesting that anticoagulant therapy needs to be considered for a longer period in some cases. Recommendations for the use of triple therapy in the presence of the LVT are mostly based on extrapolation from outcome data in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and MI. We conclude that the presence of LVT is more likely in patients with anterior ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) (involving the apex) and reduced ejection fraction (EF). LVT should be considered a marker of increased long-term thrombotic risk that may persist even after thrombus resolution. Ongoing clinical trials are expected to elucidate the best management strategies for patients with LVT.
Integrating Conservative kidney management Options and advance care Planning Education (COPE) into routine CKD care: a protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION Predialysis education for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) typically focuses narrowly on haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis as future treatment options. However, patients who are older or seriously ill may not want to pursue dialysis and/or may not benefit from this treatment. Conservative kidney management, a reasonable alternative treatment, and advance care planning (ACP) are often left out of patient education and shared decision-making. In this study, we will pilot an educational intervention (Conservative Kidney Management Options and Advance Care Planning Education-COPE) to improve knowledge of conservative kidney management and ACP among patients with advanced CKD who are older and/or have poor functional status. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This is a single-centre pilot randomised controlled trial at an academic centre in Philadelphia, PA. Eligible patients will have: age ≥70 years and/or poor functional status (as defined by Karnofsky Performance Index Score <70), advanced CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate<20 mL/min/1.73 m2), prefer to speak English during clinical encounters and self-report as black or white race. Enrolled patients will be randomised 1:1, with stratification by race, to receive enhanced usual care or usual care and in-person education about conservative kidney management and ACP (COPE). The primary outcome is change in knowledge of CKM and ACP. We will also explore intervention feasibility and acceptability, change in communication of preferences and differences in the intervention's effects on knowledge and communication of preferences by race. We will assess outcomes at baseline, immediately post-education and at 2 and 12 weeks. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This protocol has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Pennsylvania. We will obtain written informed consent from all participants. The results from this work will be presented at academic conferences and disseminated through peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under NCT03229811.
Investigation of Drosophila fruitless neurons that express Dpr/DIP cell adhesion molecules

Drosophila reproductive behaviors are directed by fruitless neurons. A reanalysis of genomic studies shows that genes encoding dpr and DIP immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) members are expressed in fru P1 neurons. We find that each fru P1 and dpr/DIP (fru P1 ∩ dpr/DIP) overlapping expression pattern is similar in both sexes, but there are dimorphisms in neuronal morphology and cell number. Behavioral studies of fru P1 ∩ dpr/DIP perturbation genotypes indicate that the mushroom body functions together with the lateral protocerebral complex to direct courtship behavior. A single-cell RNA-seq analysis of fru P1 neurons shows that many DIPs have high expression in a small set of neurons, whereas the dprs are often expressed in a larger set of neurons at intermediate levels, with a myriad of dpr/DIP expression combinations. Functionally, we find that perturbations of sex hierarchy genes and of DIP-e change the sex-specific morphologies of fru P1 ∩ DIP-α neurons.