cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
STUDIES ON THE PATHOGENESIS OF RABIES IN INSECTIVOROUS BATS : II. INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURE.

Studies on the influence of environmental temperature on the pathogenesis of rabies in two species of experimentally infected Chiroptera, the Mexican free-tailed bat (Tadarida mexicana) and the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus), provided evidence that little or no viral multiplication occurs in the inactive host during experimentally induced hibernation. When inoculated animals are wakened from hibernation by transfer to a warm room, virus previously in "cold storage" multiplies, reaching detectable levels in various tissues. Similar results were obtained with two strains of rabies virus, a canine rabies street virus which produced a fatal infection in man and a strain isolated from the pooled brown fat of naturally infected little brown bats. However, certain differences in the characteristics of these virus strains were observed. The canine rabies virus strain produced an encephalitic disease in mice and overt symptoms in bats; the bat rabies virus producing an encephalomyelitic disease in mice and infrequent symptoms in bats. The bat rabies virus had a greater predilection for brown adipose tissue than the canine strain. Results obtained with the bat rabies virus in hibernating animals indicate that after a period of latency in a dormant animal activated virus may reach the salivary gland more rapidly, with greater frequency, and attain higher concentrations than in animals which have not experienced a period of hibernation. The significance of these results as they relate to the natural history of bat rabies is discussed.
Portal Vein Thrombosis in 33 Dogs: 1998–2011

Background Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) has been reported infrequently in dogs. Objectives To characterize the presentation, associated disease conditions, and outcome in dogs with PVT. Animals Client-owned dogs with a diagnosis of PVT and a complete medical record. Methods Records were retrospectively analyzed for presentation, history, physical examination, clinicopathologic data, diagnostic imaging, treatment, and outcome. Results Thirty-three dogs were included. Common clinical signs were vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, ascites, and signs of hypovolemic shock. Associated disease conditions included hepatic (14/33), neoplastic (7/33), immune (5/33), and infectious (4/33) diseases, protein-losing nephropathy (3/33), hyperadrenocorticism (2/33), protein-losing enteropathy (1/33), and pancreatitis (1/33). Fourteen dogs were receiving glucocorticoids at the time of diagnosis. Twenty-nine dogs had at least 1 predisposing condition for venous thrombosis, and 11 had 2 or more. Thrombocytopenia (24/33), increased liver enzyme activity (23/33), and hypoalbuminemia (20/33) were common laboratory abnormalities. Clinical syndromes at the time of PVT diagnosis included shock (16/33), systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), (13/33) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (3/33). Twenty-four dogs had acute and 9 had chronic PVT. Multiple thrombi were found in 17/33 dogs. Nineteen dogs survived to discharge. Dogs treated with anticoagulant therapy were more likely, whereas those with acute PVT, multiple thromboses or SIRS were less likely to survive. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Hepatic disease is a common pre-existing condition in dogs with PVT. PVT should be considered in dogs with risk factors for venous thrombosis presenting with abdominal pain, ascites, and thrombocytopenia. Studies evaluating anticoagulant therapy in the management of PVT are warranted.
Measuring (and enhancing?) student confidence with confidence scores

The important skill of building confidence in one's analysis through sanity and cross-checking is often poorly acquired by engineering students. An introductory circuit analysis class presents an ideal opportunity in which to emphasize and measure this skill, since problems can typically be worked with a number of different methods or worked "backwards" to provide cross-checks. This paper reports on a two-semester experiment in which students were required to provide a confidence rating for all exam and quiz answers. The structure allowed for expressing positive confidence (confidence that an answer is correct), negative confidence (confidence that an answer is incorrect) and neutral confidence. A confidence score that measured how well the students evaluated the correctness or incorrectness of their answers was combined with a traditional problem score to form the exam score. We present numerical results of this experiment, which yield potentially valuable conclusions regarding students' perceptions of the correctness of their answers.
Cancer News Coverage and Information Seeking

The shift toward viewing patients as active consumers of health information raises questions about whether individuals respond to health news by seeking additional information. This study examines the relationship between cancer news coverage and information seeking using a national survey of adults aged 18 years and older. A Lexis-Nexis database search term was used to identify Associated Press (AP) news articles about cancer released between October 21, 2002, and April 13, 2003. We merged these data to the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), a telephone survey of 6,369 adults, by date of interview. Logistic regression models assessed the relationship between cancer news coverage and information seeking. Overall, we observed a marginally significant positive relationship between cancer news coverage and information seeking (p < 0.07). Interaction terms revealed that the relationship was apparent only among respondents who paid close attention to health news (p < 0.01) and among those with a family history of cancer (p < 0.05). Results suggest that a notable segment of the population actively responds to periods of elevated cancer news coverage by seeking additional information, but they raise concerns about the potential for widened gaps in cancer knowledge and behavior between large segments of the population in the future.
Chalcogen-Rich Lanthanide Clusters with Fluorinated Thiolate Ligands

Mixtures of Ln(SC6F5)3 and Ln(EPh)3 (E = S, Se) react with elemental E to give chalcogen-rich clusters with fluorinated thiolate ancillary ligands. The structures of both (THF)6Yb4S(SS)4(SC6F5)2 and (THF)6Yb4Se(SeSe)4(SC6F5)2 have been established by low-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both compounds contain a square array of Yb(III) ions connected by a central μ4-E2- ligand. The edges of the square Yb4 array are bridged by four μ2(EE) ligands, and two terminal SC6F5 are on the same side of the Ln4 plane that is capped by the μ4-E2- ion. Redox inactive (THF)6Tm4Se(SeSe)4(SC6F5)2 was also prepared to establish the extension of this chemistry to the redox inactive Ln. These clusters are soluble in toluene.
Hepatitis C and liver transplantation: enhancing outcomes and should patients be retransplanted.

Hepatitis C (HCV)–related end-stage liver disease is the most common indication for liver transplantation. Safe expansion of the donor pool with improved rates of deceased donation and more widespread use of living and extended criteria donation are likely to decrease wait list mortality. In addition, improved antiviral treatments and a better understanding of the delicate balance between under- and overimmunosuppression in this population are needed. Finally, when recurrent advanced fibrosis occurs, the criteria for patient selection for retransplantation remain widely debated. This article reviews the literature on these topics and the work being done in each area to maximize outcomes in patients receiving transplants for HCV-related cirrhosis.
Use of Bibliotherapy in the Treatment of Grief and Loss: A Guide to Current Counseling Practices

Grief is a complex and dynamic process influencing individuals of all ages. This article provides an overview of historical and contemporary constructs of grief counseling. Bibliotherapy, a creative counseling tool, is presented as an appropriate intervention when counseling grieving clients. Guidelines for using bibliotherapy with grieving clients are considered.
Helping a Victim or Helping the Victim: Altruism and Identifiability

Although it has been claimed that people care more about identifiable than statistical victims, demonstrating this “identifiable victim effect” has proven difficult because identification usually provides information about a victim, and people may respond to the information rather than to identification per se. We show that a very weak form of identifiability—determining the victim without providing any personalizing information—increases caring. In the first, laboratory study, subjects were more willing to compensate others who lost money when the losers had already been determined than when they were about to be. In the second, field study, people contributed more to a charity when their contributions would benefit a family that had already been selected from a list than when told that the family would be selected from the same list.
Efficient parallel set-similarity joins using MapReduce

In this paper we study how to efficiently perform set-similarity joins in parallel using the popular MapReduce framework. We propose a 3-stage approach for end-to-end set-similarity joins. We take as input a set of records and output a set of joined records based on a set-similarity condition. We efficiently partition the data across nodes in order to balance the workload and minimize the need for replication. We study both self-join and R-S join cases, and show how to carefully control the amount of data kept in main memory on each node. We also propose solutions for the case where, even if we use the most fine-grained partitioning, the data still does not fit in the main memory of a node. We report results from extensive experiments on real datasets, synthetically increased in size, to evaluate the speedup and scaleup properties of the proposed algorithms using Hadoop.
The effect of correlated exponential service times on single server tandem queues

An investigation via simulation of system performance of two stage queues in series (single server, first-come, first-served) under the assumption of correlated exponential service times indicates that the system's behavior is quite sensitive to departures from the traditional assumption of mutually independent service times, especially at higher utilizations. That service times at the various stages of a tandem queueing system for a given customer should be correlated is intuitively appealing and apparently not at all atypical. Since tandem queues occur frequently, e.g. production lines and the logistics therewith associated, it is incumbent on both the practitioner and the theoretician that they be aware of the marked effects that may be induced by correlated service times. For the case of infinite interstage storage, system performance is improved by positive correlation and impaired by negative correlation. This change in system performance is reversed however for zero interstage storage and depends on the value of the utilization rate for the case where interstage storage equals unity. The effect due to correlation is shown to be statistically significant using spectral analytic techniques. For correlation equal unity and infinite interstage storage, results are provided for two through twenty-five stages in series to suggest how adding stages affects system performance for ρ>0. In this extreme case of correlation, adding stages has an effect on system performance which depends markedly on the utilization rate. Recursive formulae for the waiting time per customer for the cases of zero, one, and infinite interstage storage are derived.
Field Physiology: Physiological Insights from Animals in Nature

Whereas comparative physiology documents the range of physiological variation across a range of organisms, field physiology provides insight into the actual mechanisms an organism employs to maintain homeostasis in its everyday life. This requires an understanding of an organism's natural history and is prerequisite to developing hypotheses about physiological mechanisms. This review focuses on a few areas of field physiology that exemplify how the underlying physiology could not have been understood without appropriate field measurements. The examples we have chosen highlight the methods and inference afforded by an application of this physiological analysis to organismal function in nature, often in extreme environments. The specific areas examined are diving physiology, the thermal physiology of large endothermic fishes, reproductive physiology of air breathing vertebrates, and endocrine physiology of reproductive homeostasis. These areas form a bridge from physiological ecology to evolutionary ecology. All our examples revolve around the central issue of physiological limits as they apply to organismal homeostasis. We view this theme as the cornerstone of physiological analysis and supply a number of paradigms on homeostasis that have been tested in the context of field physiology.
Crystal Fractionation and the Evolution of Intra-plate hy-normative Igneous Suites: Insights from their Feldspars

Feldspars and normative feldspar constituents of bulk magma show complexes and ‘anorogenic’ granites, is associated with hotspot and continental rift environments. A major chartrends supportive of fractional crystallization in the three main types of hy-normative intraplate suites that contain qz-oversaturated acteristic of this magmatism is the production of suites of compositionally diverse rocks that are temporally and rocks: ocean island and continental alkalic suites, ocean island tholeiitic suites and continental tholeiitic suites. These suites are spatially associated. Much is still unknown about the processes that have led to the diversity of magmas within characterized by the presence of a single feldspar in each suite member, a shift of this feldspar from plagioclase to alkali feldspar, such suites or to the global diversity of intra-plate suite types. and K enrichment of alkali feldspar with decreasing temperature in the trachytic members. The modal feldspars provide evidence for a Many ocean island and continental hotspot (and continental rift) related suites are characterized by rocks with reaction relationship between feldspars and indicate a build-up of magmatic volatile content towards saturation with progressive high alkali/silica ratios that fall into the alkalic field of Irvine & Baragar (1971; Fig. 1) regardless of their state fractionation of a parental magma having low initial volatile content. The feldspar and normative feldspar evolutionary paths are unique of silica saturation. Such alkalic suites range from those that are strongly silica undersaturated, containing rocks for each of the three suite types but similar for different suites within the same type. This characteristic extends to the felsic members, such as nephelinites (or leucitites in the more potassic making it easy to distinguish between rhyolitic or granitic rocks suites), to mildly silica-undersaturated suites [the Kenfrom the different suite types. The feldspars in natural volcanic nedy series of Miyashiro (1978)] containing alkali basalts, suites commonly show evidence for a polybaric history, particularly silica-undersaturated trachytes and phonolites, and, in the least-evolved suite members. Late-stage feldspars of the finally, to hy-normative suites [the Coombs trend of intermediate members and feldspars of the most evolved members Miyashiro (1978)] that include olivine basalts, trachytes show paths indicative of significantly lower temperature and pressure and rhyolites. Hy-normative alkalic suites that contain regimes. silica-oversaturated rocks on ocean islands are widespread and include those from Ascension Island (e.g. Harris, 1983), the Samoan Islands (MacDonald, 1968), Terceira, Azores (e.g. White et al., 1979) and Clarion Island, Mexico
Training opioid addiction treatment providers to adopt contingency management: A prospective pilot trial of a comprehensive implementation science approach

ABSTRACTBackground: Few prospective studies have evaluated theory-driven approaches to the implementation of evidence-based opioid treatment. This study compared the effectiveness of an implementation model (Science to Service Laboratory; SSL) to training as usual (TAU) in promoting the adoption of contingency management across a multisite opioid addiction treatment program. We also examined whether the SSL affected putative mediators of contingency management adoption (perceived innovation characteristics and organizational readiness to change). Methods: Sixty treatment providers (39 SSL, 21 TAU) from 15 geographically diverse satellite clinics (7 SSL, 8 TAU) participated in the 12-month study. Both conditions received didactic contingency management training and those in the predetermined experimental region received 9 months of SSL-enhanced training. Contingency management adoption was monitored biweekly, whereas putative mediators were measured at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months. Results: Relative t...
Informed Trading by Institutions and Quality of Accounting Information

This study documents that change in institutional ownership of a company during a calendar quarter is associated with abnormal returns at the time of subsequent announcements of quarterly earnings. This result suggests informed trading by institutions based on superior information about forthcoming earnings. The study also shows that the association is observed primarily for firms with low book to market value of equity and high levels of R&D activity, measures of unrecorded intangible assets. These results are consistent with such firms being good candidates for productive information search and interpretation by institutional investors because accounting numbers of such firms provide relatively less value-relevant information.
Creating a Culture of Digital Collaborative in Online Learning

Meaningfully and critically engaging online learners through collaborative teams resolving authentic problems is one key in designing effective learning experience in higher education. Moving toward a new paradigm of distributive education requires a rethinking of the strategies used for engagement and community formation, particularly focusing on how to create a culture of collaboration in learning experiences. This chapter presented an argument for rethinking the role of collaborative learning in education where the product of the whole is greater than any one person could develop individually. It concludes with suggestions for needed research on the benefits of collaboration for learning.
Donor and Recipient Evaluation

A 51-year-old man with stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) is referred for kidney transplant evaluation. The patient has a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and coronary artery stenting.
Synergism in the solvent extraction of di-, tri- and tetravalent metal ions—II: Synergic effects in so-called inert diluents☆

Abstract Greatly enhanced extractions (synergism) for di, tri and tetravalent metals have been reported for the system Mn+/HTTA/S/diluent where HTTA is thenoyltrifluoracetone and S varies from the highly polar tri-octyl phosphine oxide to the weakly basic triphenyl phosphate. The extracted species M(TTA)nSx is the same, whatever “inert” diluent is used, but the partition coefficients of the metal ion vary over several powers of ten, sometimes by a factor much greater than that obtained by the synergic effect itself. The effect, on the extraction, of so-called “inert” diluents such as cyclohexane, hexane, carbon tetrachloride, benzene and chloroform has been studied under various conditions. In all cases the distribution ratio decreases as the diluent is changed from cyclohexane in the above sequence, chloroform giving the lowest partition coefficient. This order is in the same sequence as the water solubility in the pure diluent and the diluent effect on metal extraction is probably connected through the diluent water content with the permanent or induced diluent dipole.
What Determines Happiness? Income or Attitude: Evidence From the U.S. Longitudinal Data

Using the data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, a longitudinal data set from the United States, this study demonstrates that the covariates of happiness differ to some extent between matured adults and young-adults and that the relationship of personal happiness with positive attitude is stronger than that with any other covariate of happiness known in the literature including income. These results remain robust to changes in estimation techniques in response to varying assumptions on the attitude variable. Assuming endogeneity of the attitude variable, the study estimates happiness and positive attitude equations simultaneously by a two-stage procedure and obtains interesting new results. These results indicate that positive attitude is not only a covariate of happiness, but also a determinant of happiness, especially in the sample of matured adults. To increase the personal happiness therefore the study recommends policies designed to help individuals not only increase their incomes, but also improve their attitudes.
Abstract 4184: Development of ixabepilone-induced CIPN is related to pre-treatment with paclitaxel in a mouse model

The mechanisms and underlying factors that predispose individuals to development of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) are not clearly understood. CIPN results in the dose attenuation, delay, or discontinuation of drug in patients otherwise responding to chemotherapy. Moderate to severe CIPN can interfere with function and activities of daily living. Microtubule-stabilizing agents, including taxanes and epothilones are strongly associated with development of CIPN. Ixabepilone, the first FDA-approved epothilone, is specifically used in taxane-resistant metastatic breast cancer. Any ixabepilone-induced CIPN may be as high as 71% depending on administration regimen. Specific risk factors for development of this side effect are unknown. Here we present data using a murine model of sensory hyperalgesia that suggests pretreatment with paclitaxel, currently a labeling indication for use of ixabepilone in metastatic breast cancer, is itself a predisposing factor for development of ixabepilone-induced peripheral neuropathy. Wild type DB/A2 adult mice were treated with intraperitoneal 25 mg/kg paclitaxel, 2.5 mg/kg ixabepilone, or diluent (cremophor: ethanol) every other day for 4 doses. Mice were analyzed by rota-rod to test sensory-motor function and by hot and cold plate to test for temperature hyperalgesia. There was no difference in performance of either of the three treatment groups following the initial treatment cycle. Mice were then treated with a further cycle of chemotherapy, either the same as they received initially, except that half of the paclitaxel-treated group was crossed-over to ixabepilone. Rota-rod and hot plate testing again failed to show a difference between groups. However, cold-plate testing showed a statistically significant increase in cold hyperalgesia in mice treated first with paclitaxel followed by ixabepilone in comparison to all other treatment groups. EM and immunofluorescence analyses of dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerve sections from mice in all four treatment groups are ongoing. Although preliminary, these results suggest that prior chemotherapy regimens have a significant effect on development of CIPN in this model. The exact mechanisms of injury are under evaluation. A complementary clinical study is underway in women with breast cancer to understand the effect of ixabepilone on an ultrastructural level and its potential role in the development of peripheral neuropathy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4184.
Self-reported verbal abuse in 1300+ older women within a private, tertiary women's health clinic

Abstract Objective Several studies describe “elder abuse” among residents of nursing homes, but this issue is less well studied among independently functioning, community-based women. The current study was undertaken to report rates of self-reported intimate partner violence – with a focus on verbal abuse – among older women within a private tertiary women’s health clinic. Methods This study focused on women who completed a questionnaire on domestic abuse. Results A total of 1389 women with a median age of 55 years (range: 50, 90) are the focus of this report. Most 1102 (79%) were married. Within this group, 100 (7%) women reported verbal abuse within the last year. Rates of physical and sexual abuse were much lower with 9 women (1%) and 2 ( Conclusion This study found a notable rate of patient-reported verbal abuse in older women within a private, tertiary women’s health clinic. Implications This observation should prompt healthcare providers to ask about intimate partner violence – and specifically verbal abuse – regardless of healthcare setting.
Reoperation Rates After Single-level Lumbar Discectomy.

Study design Retrospective analysis of national insurance billing database. Objective To examine trends in reoperation after single-level lumbar discectomy. Summary of background data Lumbar discectomy is the most commonly performed procedure for treatment of radiculopathy caused by disc herniation. Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated the advantage of discectomy over nonsurgical treatment options, allowing for a more rapid reduction in symptoms. However, population-level data regarding reoperation after single level discectomy is limited. Methods Data were collected using the commercially available PearlDiver software for patients billed with the Current Procedural Terminology code for our index procedure, hemilaminotomy and removal of disc material, between January 2007 and September 2014. The index group was then followed for up to 4 years for recurrent lumbar surgery, including spinal fusion, laminectomy, and additional discectomy. Results Analysis of data obtained from 13,654 patient records revealed a rate of additional lumbar surgeries after single-level discectomy of 3.95% (539/13654) within 3 months and 12.2% (766/6274) within 4 years of the index procedure. Lumbar spinal fusion was performed on 5.9% (370/6274) of patients within 4 years. Patients who received a re-exploration discectomy within 2 years of the index procedure went on to receive lumbar fusion at a rate of 38.4% (48/125) within the 4 years after the re-exploration discectomy. The average additional cost of lumbar reoperation, as measured by insurance reimbursement, was approximately $11,161 per-patient per year. Conclusion We report an overall 4-year reoperation rate of 12.2% after single-level discectomy. In addition, we report a rate of progression to lumbar fusion following re-exploration discectomy of 38.4% within 4 years of reoperation. Further studies are needed regarding the best treatment algorithm in patients with reherniation or iatrogenic instability after lumbar discectomy. This study should enhance the shared decision making process by providing surgeons and patients with valuable data regarding the frequency and nature of reoperations after discectomy. Level of evidence 3.
Early Childhood Integration of the Visual Arts

(1988). Early Childhood Integration of the Visual Arts. Gifted International: Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 14-18.
Study of Battery Voltage Behavior under Loading and Charging Conditions using 3DFEM

In this paper, a lithium ion cobalt polymer battery cell is modeled using 3-D finite elements (3DFE) for the study of its performance under a wide range of operating scenarios. The electrochemistry is modeled and coupled to an electromagnetic model to forecast the cell voltage overpotential as a result of charging and discharging under six current densities. To study this phenomenon, light (C/10), medium (C/2), and high (1C) charging and discharging currents are imposed at the battery terminals and compared with experimental results. The electric field inside the electrodes and electrolyte is analyzed at each case highlighting regions where loss occurs. A magnetic field analysis depicts the total electrochemical generation of current densities inside the cell while identifying how the development of gradient currents occur, a mechanism which can shorten the life span of the battery. This paper distinguishes where 3DFE analysis battery models can be useful in studying how lithium ion batteries will behave given a particular loading or a charging profile before placing them in service.
Oxidation potentials of phenols and anilines: correlation analysis of electrochemical and theoretical values

Phenols and anilines have been studied extensively as reductants of environmental oxidants (such as manganese dioxide) and as reductates (e.g., model contaminants) that are transformed by environmental oxidants (ozone, triple organic matter, etc.). The thermodynamics and kinetics of these reactions have been interpreted using oxidation potentials for substituted phenols and anilines, often using a legacy experimental dataset that is of uncertain quality. Although there are many alternative oxidation potential data, there has been little systematic analysis of the relevance, reliability, and consistency of the data obtained by different methods. We have done this through an extensive correlation analysis of kinetic data for phenol or aniline oxidation by manganese oxide-compiled from multiple sources-and oxidation potentials obtained from (i) electrochemical measurements using cyclic and square wave voltammetry and (ii) theoretical calculations using density functional theory. Measured peak potentials (Ep) from different sources and experimental conditions correlate very strongly, with minimal root mean squared error (RMSE), slopes ≈ 1, and intercepts indicative of consistent absolute differences of 50-150 mV; whereas, one-electron oxidation potentials (E1) from different sources and theoretical conditions exhibit large RMSE, slopes, and intercepts vs. measured oxidation potentials. Calibration of calculated E1 data vs. measured Ep data gave corrected values of E1 with improved accuracy. For oxidation by manganese dioxide, normalization of rate constants (to the 4-chloro congener) allowed correlation of phenol and aniline data from multiple sources to give one, unified quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR). Comparison among these QSARs illustrates the principle of matching the observational vs. mechanistic character of the response and descriptor variables.
Leveraging Location Sharing to Increase Social Capital in Local Communities

Through my doctoral research, I aim to gain a deeper understanding of how LBPHDs, location-based, post-hoc data applications, can be used to build social capital in urban communities. From a case study of a dating app that utilizes shared location history, happn, we explored how LBPHD information has been used to build interpersonal relationships. Based on these findings, we designed MoveMeant, an application that extends LBPHD from interpersonal to community-level information sharing. Preliminary qualitative field results suggest the potential of MoveMeant to increase local community awareness through dissemination of local knowledge and discovery of third places. Future work in this area include a larger qualitative study and quantitative study of MoveMeant, and further understanding its application to other situations.
Abstract 486: Platelet ITAM Signaling is Critical for Maintenance of Vascular Integrity in Inflammation

Blood platelets, long recognized for their importance in primary hemostasis, have recently been identified as critical regulators of vascular integrity during inflammation and cancer. Interestingly, the contribution of platelets to the maintenance of vascular integrity in in[[Unable to Display Character: ﬂ]]ammation seems to be independent of their ability to form a clot. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unknown. Here we report that platelet immunoreceptor tyrosine activation motif (ITAM) signaling but not G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling is critical for the prevention of inflammation-induced hemorrhage. To generate mice with partial or complete defects in these signaling pathways, we developed a novel protocol for the adoptive transfer of genetically and/or chemically inhibited platelets into thrombocytopenic mice. Unexpectedly, platelets with impaired GPCR signaling, a crucial component of platelet plug formation and hemostasis, were indistinguishable from wild-type platelets in their ability to prevent hemorrhage at sites of inflammation. In contrast, inhibition of GPVI or genetic deletion of CLEC-2, the only ITAM receptors expressed on mouse platelets, significantly reduced the ability of platelets to prevent inflammation-induced hemorrhage. Moreover, transfusion of platelets without ITAM receptor function or platelets lacking the adapter protein SLP-76 into thrombocytopenic mice had no significant effect on vascular integrity during inflammation. These results indicate that the control of vascular integrity is a major function of immune-type receptors in platelets, highlighting a potential clinical complication of novel anti-thrombotic agents directed towards the ITAM signaling pathway.
Blown film extrusion of poly(lactic acid) without melt strength enhancers

Processing strategies were developed to manufacture poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blown films without melt strength enhancers (MSEs). The effects of processing temperature on PLA's melt properties (shear and elongational viscosities), PLA grades, and other processing conditions [ratio of take-up roller to extruder's rotational screw speeds or processing speed ratio (PSR) and internal air pressures] on film's blow-up ratio were examined. Experimental results indicate that extrusion-blown amorphous and semicrystalline PLA films can be successfully manufactured without MSEs by controlling melt rheology through processing temperature and other extrusion processing conditions. PLA processed at lower extrusion temperature had higher melt viscosities, which favored the formation of stable films depending on the PSR and internal air pressure used. Inappropriate control of PSR and internal air pressure led to unstable films with various processing defects such as melt sag, bubble dancing, or draw resonance, irrespective of the lower extrusion processing temperature. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45212.
Application of Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System Version 2 (PI-RADS v2): Interobserver Agreement and Positive Predictive Value for Localization of Intermediate- and High-Grade Prostate Cancers on Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Rationale and Objectives To evaluate interobserver agreement with the use of and the positive predictive value (PPV) of Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADS v2) for the localization of intermediate- and high-grade prostate cancers on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI). Materials and Methods In this retrospective, institutional review board-approved study, 131 consecutive patients who had mpMRI followed by transrectal ultrasound-MR imaging fusion-guided biopsy of the prostate were included. Two readers who were blinded to initial mpMRI reports, clinical data, and pathologic outcomes reviewed the MR images, identified all prostate lesions, and scored each lesion based on the PI-RADS v2. Interobserver agreement was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and PPV was calculated for each PI-RADS category. Results PI-RADS v2 was found to have a moderate level of interobserver agreement between two readers of varying experience, with ICC of 0.74, 0.72, and 0.67 for all lesions, peripheral zone lesions, and transitional zone lesions, respectively. Despite only moderate interobserver agreement, the calculated PPV in the detection of intermediate- and high-grade prostate cancers for each PI-RADS category was very similar between the two readers, with approximate PPV of 0%, 12%, 64%, and 87% for PI-RADS categories 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Conclusions In our study, PI-RADS v2 has only moderate interobserver agreement, a similar finding in studies of the original PI-RADS and in initial studies of PI-RADS v2. Despite this, PI-RADS v2 appears to be a useful system to predict significant prostate cancer, with PI-RADS scores correlating well with the likelihood of intermediate- and high-grade cancers.
A BRIEF REVIEW ON THE MODE OF ACTION OF ANTINEMATODAL DRUGS

Anthelmintics are some of the most widely used drugs in veterinary medicine. Here we review the mechanism of action of these compounds on nematode parasites. Included are the older classes of compounds; the benzimidazoles, cholinergic agonists and macrocyclic lactones. We also consider newer anthelmintics, including emodepside, derquantel and tribendimidine. In the absence of vaccines for most parasite species, control of nematode parasites will continue to rely on anthelmintic drugs. As a consequence, vigilance in detecting drug resistance in parasite populations is required. Since resistance development appears almost inevitable, there is a continued and pressing need to fully understand the mode of action of these compounds. It is also necessary to identify new drug targets and drugs for the continued effective control of nematode parasites.
Relation Between Calcified Atherosclerosis in the Renal Arteries and Kidney Function (from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis)

Renal artery calcium (RAC) has been shown to be associated with higher odds of hypertension (HTN). The purpose of this study was to determine if the presence and extent of RAC is associated with renal function. We analyzed cross-sectional data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). A subsample of 1,226 participants underwent computed tomography of the abdomen and also had venous blood samples measured for kidney function. RAC was the primary predictor variable and the following measures of kidney function were the outcome variables: estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage. The analyses were adjusted for age, gender, race, height, visceral fat, dyslipidemia, diabetes, cigarette smoking, hypertension, interleukin-6 and abdominal aortic calcium (AAC). The average age of this cohort was 66.1 years (SD 9.7), 44.8% (549 of 1,226) were men, and nearly 30% had RAC >0. Compared with those with no RAC, those with RAC >0 were significantly older but not different by gender or race. After adjustment for age, gender, and race, those with RAC >0 had significantly higher visceral fat, were more likely to have dyslipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension, had a higher interleukin-6, and a higher prevalence of AAC >0. The mean eGFR and UACR among those without RAC were 80 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 21 mg/g, whereas these values were 78 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 55 mg/g among those with RAC. In fully adjusted multivariable linear regression models, the presence of RAC was associated with a lower eGFR (β = -2.21, p = 0.06) but not with UACR (β = 0.02, p = 0.79). In fully adjusted ordinal logistic regression, RAC as a continuous variable was associated with increased odds of being in a worse CKD category (odds ratio 1.14, p = 0.05). When measured by eGFR and CKD stage, there is a modest relation between RAC and kidney function. Further studies might involve clinical trials to assess the role of intensive cardiovascular disease risk factor management in patients with subclinical RAC to determine if this may prevent or delay the development and progression of CKD.
Hypertension Susceptibility Loci are Associated with Anthracycline-related Cardiotoxicity in Long-term Childhood Cancer Survivors.

Anthracycline-based chemotherapy is associated with dose-dependent, irreversible damage to the heart. Childhood cancer survivors with hypertension after anthracycline exposure are at increased risk of cardiotoxicity, leading to the hypothesis that genetic susceptibility loci for hypertension may serve as predictors for development of late cardiotoxicity. Therefore, we determined the association between 12 GWAS-identified hypertension-susceptibility loci and cardiotoxicity in a cohort of long-term childhood cancer survivors (N = 108) who received anthracyclines and were screened for cardiac function via echocardiograms. Hypertension-susceptibility alleles of PLCE1:rs9327264 and ATP2B1:rs17249754 were significantly associated with cardiotoxicity risk conferring a protective effect with a 64% (95% CI: 0.18–0.76, P = 0.0068) and 74% (95% CI: 0.07–0.96, P = 0.040) reduction in risk, respectively. In RNAseq experiments of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived cardiomyocytes treated with doxorubicin, both PLCE1 and ATP2B1 displayed anthracycline-dependent gene expression profiles. In silico functional assessment further supported this relationship - rs9327264 in PLCE1 (P = 0.0080) and ATP2B1 expression (P = 0.0079) were both significantly associated with daunorubicin IC50 values in a panel of lymphoblastoid cell lines. Our findings demonstrate that the hypertension-susceptibility variants in PLCE1 and ATP2B1 confer a protective effect on risk of developing anthracycline-related cardiotoxicity, and functional analyses suggest that these genes are influenced by exposure to anthracyclines.
Nicotine normalizes cortico-striatal connectivity in non-smoking individuals with major depressive disorder.

Nicotine dependence and major depressive disorder (MDD) are highly comorbid, yet causal links between these prevalent disorders are unclear. One possible mechanism is that nicotine ameliorates MDD-related neurobiological dysfunction in specific networks. For instance, cortico-striatal circuitry is enhanced by nicotine, and such paths are disrupted in individuals with MDD. Specifically, MDD has been associated with reduced connectivity between the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) but enhanced connectivity between the dorsal striatum (DS) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Determining whether nicotine normalizes these circuits in non-smokers with MDD may elucidate mechanisms underlying links between disorders. This was tested by administering placebo and a 2-mg dose of nicotine to unmedicated non-smokers with and without MDD prior to collecting resting-state functional magnetic imaging data using a cross-over design. On placebo, individuals with MDD showed significantly reduced NAc–rACC and a trend for enhanced DS–DLPFC functional connectivity relative to healthy controls. In MDD, acute nicotine administration normalized both pathways to the level of healthy controls, while having no impact on healthy controls. Nicotine’s effects on NAc–rACC connectivity was influenced by anhedonia, consistent with the role of this network in reward and nicotine’s ability to enhance reward deficiencies in MDD. These results indicate that nicotine normalizes dysfunctional cortico-striatal communication in unmedicated non-smokers with MDD. Nicotine’s influence on these circuitries highlights a possible mechanism whereby individuals with MDD are more vulnerable to develop nicotine dependence. Findings suggest that nicotinic agents may have therapeutic effects on disrupted cortico-striatal connectivity.
Come to Believe: How the Jesuits are Reinventing Education (Again): by Stephen N. Katsouros, SJ, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2017, 181 pp. (paperback), ISBN: 978-1626982208

At a time when higher education receives critiques for its cost and who it is and is not serving, innovative ideas are bound to receive attention. Named after the former superior general of the Soc...
A longitudinal examination of social capital as a predictor of depression

Depression is the world’s most common mental health disorder and its prevalence is higher among women and the poor. This article seeks to examine the effect that social capital has on mental health...
Small-Signal Stability Analysis of Electric Power Systems on the Azores Archipelago

In this chapter, a structure-based coupled real-power voltage dynamic model is introduced for assessing small-signal stability when the Azores Archipelago has a high penetration of renewable energy resources. The small-signal stability of the Azores is investigated with and without considering the coupling of real-power and voltage dynamics. The decoupled scenario results illustrate that the system is stable in response to small perturbations. On the other hand, in the coupled scenario, due to strong interactions between the electromagnetic and mechanical parts of the power plants, frequency oscillations, which lead to small-signal instability, are exaggerated. The main conclusion is that tuning the governor control of the plants without considering the coupling of real-power and voltage dynamics can lead to overly optimistic results.
Factors influencing Hispanic participation in prostate cancer screening.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To identify factors that influence Hispanic males decisions to participate in prostate cancer screening. DESIGN Survey. SETTING One hospital and three community clinics serving as sites for a community-sponsored prostate screening project in Texas. SAMPLE 51 Hispanic males. METHOD Face-to-face interviews. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Health, procedural, and scheduling variables affecting participation in screening. FINDINGS The majority of participants reported that their health, the availability of Saturday and evening hours, the convenience of screening site locations, and offering exams at little or no cost were very important factors that influenced their decision to be screened for prostate cancer. Participants most frequently suggested promoting awareness among themselves as the most effective strategy for increasing prostate screening participation among Hispanics. CONCLUSION Future research is recommended to ascertain if the study participants insights and strategies can lead to increased prostate screening participation among Hispanics. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE Health professionals need to provide Hispanic males with cancer information and positive screening experiences to promote cancer awareness and screening in this population.
Combining the predictions of multiple classifiers: using competitive learning to initialize neural networks

The primary goal of inductive learning is to generalize well - that is, induce a function that accurately produces the correct output for future inputs. Hansen and Salamon showed that, under certain assumptions, combining the predictions of several separately trained neural networks will improve generalization. One of their key assumptions is that the individual networks should be independent in the errors they produce. In the standard way of performing backpropagation this assumption may be violated, because the standard procedure is to initialize network weights in the region of weight space near the origin. This means that backpropagation's gradient-descent search may only reach a small subset of the possible local minima. In this paper we present an approach to initializing neural networks that uses competitive learning to intelligently create networks that are originally located far from the origin of weight space, thereby potentially increasing the set of reachable local minima. We report experiments on two real-world datasets where combinations of networks initialized with our method generalize better than combinations of networks initialized the traditional way.