cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Email and the Internet as a teaching tool: a critical perspective

Now that almost all students have access to the Internet, Email is developing into a useful teaching communication tool. This paper details some of the benefits associated with structuring courses with an Email component and describes some of the pitfalls. In its favor the paper describes how brief lecture summaries encourage students to evaluate non-numerate material and provide the teacher with a quick source of learning feed-back. The ease with which Email text may be corrected and the simplicity of circulating exemplary assignments to all students builds the case for establishing electronic communication as course essential requirement. The simplicity of grading Email assignments and the ease with which mid course assessment information can be distributed is argued to better communication and understanding student and teacher. A novel means of obviating the costly distribution of 'partial hand-outs' is described and a means of connecting students to the wider electronic media is developed. There are technical difficulties such as student access to the Internet and problems with network administration. The adherence to strict deadlines is discouraged to enable students to overcome technical problems. The paper provides some cautionary observations that alert the potential teacher of some of the difficulties associated with excessive dependence on electronic media. The paper concludes by advocating the exploration of Email as a teaching device but warns of the adverse side affects.
Software-hardware co-design for video coding acceleration

In this paper, an advanced video coding acceleration based on software-hardware co-design for low power embedded system is proposed. Today, people enjoy HD video formats all over the world, but to compress it into a portable format (such as H.264) costs too much time. In embedded systems, it is very costly to transform the entire software application into a hardware solution especially if it will consume a large amount of power. Thus, we studied the famous H.264 model in order to explore the hotspot function and balance the tradeoff between speed and energy consumption. The idea is to only transform the more readily used functions into hardware by designing a coprocessor and implementing it on Virtex 5 Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) platform. The experimental results from this hardware implementation showed a 5 times increase in coding speed while minimizing the energy consumption to around 81 percent.
Antitrust & Hospital Mergers: Does the Nonprofit Form Affect Competitive Substance?

Following a string of government losses in cases challenging hospital mergers in federal court, the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice issued their report on competition in health care seeking to set the record straight on a number of issues that underlie the judiciary's resolution of these cases. One such issue is the import of nonprofit status for applying antitrust law. This essay describes antitrust's role in addressing the consolidation in the hospital sector and the subtle influence that the social function of the nonprofit hospital has had in merger litigation. Noting that the political and social context in which these institutions operate is never far from the surface, it takes issue with the proposal to cabin merger doctrine so as to deny the significance of nonprofit status in merger analysis. Given the dynamic change in the regulatory climate and heterogeneity of local health care markets, it advises courts not to accept the FTC's preemptive standard regarding the significance of hospitals' nonprofit status and keep open the possibility of fashioning new presumptive rules tailored to more complete economic accounts of nonprofit firm behavior.
Vitamin K deficiency with hemorrhage after kidney and combined kidney–pancreas transplantation

Vitamin K deficiency is a common occurrence in the surgical and intensive care unit population, but its incidence in kidney and combined kidney-pancreas allograft recipients has not been described. We report four patients who received cadaveric kidney or combined kidney-pancreas allografts and subsequently developed significant bleeding associated with deficiency of vitamin K. Their coagulopathy promptly resolved with the parenteral administration of vitamin K. Treatment with vitamin K should be considered in kidney or combined kidney-pancreas allograft recipients with a prolonged prothrombin or partial thromboplastin time during the first postoperative week to avoid hemorrhagic complications.
Functional overlap of top-down emotion regulation and generation: An fMRI study identifying common neural substrates between cognitive reappraisal and cognitively generated emotions

One factor that influences the success of emotion regulation is the manner in which the regulated emotion was generated. Recent research has suggested that reappraisal, a top-down emotion regulation strategy, is more effective in decreasing self-reported negative affect when emotions were generated from the top-down, versus the bottom-up. On the basis of a process overlap framework, we hypothesized that the neural regions active during reappraisal would overlap more with emotions that were generated from the top-down, rather than from the bottom-up. In addition, we hypothesized that increased neural overlap between reappraisal and the history effects of top-down emotion generation would be associated with increased reappraisal success. The results of several analyses suggested that reappraisal and emotions that were generated from the top-down share a core network of prefrontal, temporal, and cingulate regions. This overlap is specific; no such overlap was observed between reappraisal and emotions that were generated in a bottom-up fashion. This network consists of regions previously implicated in linguistic processing, cognitive control, and self-relevant appraisals, which are processes thought to be crucial to both reappraisal and top-down emotion generation. Furthermore, individuals with high reappraisal success demonstrated greater neural overlap between reappraisal and the history of top-down emotion generation than did those with low reappraisal success. The overlap of these key regions, reflecting overlapping processes, provides an initial insight into the mechanism by which generation history may facilitate emotion regulation.
A unique region in bacteriophage t7 DNA polymerase important for exonucleolytic hydrolysis of DNA.

A crystal structure of the bacteriophage T7 gene 5 protein/Escherichia coli thioredoxin complex reveals a region in the exonuclease domain (residues 144-157) that is not present in other members of the E. coli DNA polymerase I family. To examine the role of this region, a genetically altered enzyme that lacked residues 144-157 (T7 polymerase (pol) Δ144-157) was purified and characterized biochemically. The polymerase activity and processivity of T7 pol Δ144-157 on primed M13 DNA are similar to that of wild-type T7 DNA polymerase implying that these residues are not important for DNA synthesis. The ability of T7 pol Δ144-157 to catalyze the hydrolysis of a phosphodiester bond, as judged from the rate of hydrolysis of a p-nitrophenyl ester of thymidine monophosphate, also remains unaffected. However, the 3′-5′ exonuclease activity on polynucleotide substrates is drastically reduced; exonuclease activity on single-stranded DNA is 10-fold lower and that on double-stranded DNA is 20-fold lower as compared with wild-type T7 DNA polymerase. Taken together, our results suggest that residues 144-157 of gene 5 protein, although not crucial for polymerase activity, are important for DNA binding during hydrolysis of polynucleotides.
Reversing the myths obstructing the determination of optimal age- and disease-based drug dosing in pediatrics.

ABSTRACT The need for critical, well-designed comprehensive clinical pharmacology research in pediatrics that encompasses the age continuum, from the most premature infant through adolescence, may be more important today than ever. New drug regimens often require greater adherence to specific dose guidelines to maximize efficacy and minimize toxic potential. The climate that allowed the propagation of the “therapeutic orphan” concept is now mostly of historical perspective. Nevertheless, the negative impact of this concept continues to linger due to continued propagation of many, now outdated myths surrounding the effective study of optimal drug dosing in pediatrics. Advances in clinical medicine combined with the advances in study design, sampling, and analysis has dramatically improved the paradigm for clinical pharmacology research in infants and children. Capitalizing upon and thoughtfully using these many advances while dispelling these myths will result in greater research focused on optimal drug th...
Flow of Carbohydrates, Lipids, and Protein Among Colonies of Polygyne Red Imported Fire Ants, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

This research quantified food collection of three nutritionally important foods (carbohydrates, protein, and lipids) by several neighboring polygyne red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, colonies. Six rare earth elements (samarium, rubidium, ytterbium, europium, neodymium, and lanthanum) were mixed with protein (tuna packed in water), carbohydrate (60% solution of glucose, sucrose, fructose, and water), and lipid baits (peanut oil) to track food collection by colonies. Food collection among six neighboring colonies was quantified in each of 14 plots for a total of 84 colonies. A uniquely labeled food type (1.5 g) was placed within 20 cm of each colony. Two replicates of each food type were used in each plot. Neutron activation analysis (NAA) was used to quantify the type and amount (μg) of rare earth elements found in samples of both workers and larvae from colonies 12 h after foraging on baits. Multiple regression results showed that distance to food sources was the most significant independent variable in determining the distribution of food resources among colonies. Food type interacted significantly with life stage (worker or larvae) and the distance colonies harvested food baits. Significantly more protein was detected in larvae compared with lipids and carbohydrates and at farther distances from baits. In contrast, workers collected significantly more carbohydrates from farther distances than lipids and protein. Results indicate that patterns of food flow among neighboring polygyne red imported fire ant colonies are largely determined by the distance between colonies, food resources, and the type of food being collected.
The evolutionary advantage of limited network knowledge

Groups of individuals have social networks that structure interactions within the groups; evolutionary theory increasingly uses this fact to explain the emergence of cooperation (Eshel and Cavalli-Sforza, 1982; Boyd and Richerson, 1988, 1989; Ohtsuki et al., 2006; Nowak et al., 2010; Van Veelen et al., 2012). This approach has resulted in a number of important insights for the evolution of cooperation in the biological and social sciences, but omits a key function of social networks that has persisted throughout recent evolutionary history (Apicella et al., 2012): their role in transmitting gossip about behavior within a group. Accounting for this well-established role of social networks among rational agents in a setting of indirect reciprocity not only shows a new mechanism by which the structure of networks is fitness-relevant, but also reveals that knowledge of social networks can be fitness-relevant as well. When groups enforce cooperation by sanctioning peers whom gossip reveals to have deviated, individuals in certain peripheral network positions are tempting targets of uncooperative behavior because gossip they share about misbehavior spreads slowly through the network. The ability to identify these individuals creates incentives to behave uncooperatively. Consequently, groups comprised of individuals who knew precise information about their social networks would be at a fitness disadvantage relative to groups of individuals with a coarser knowledge of their networks. Empirical work has consistently shown that modern humans know little about the structure of their own social networks and perform poorly when tasked with learning new ones. This robust empirical regularity may be the product of natural selection in an environment of strong selective pressure at the group level. Imprecise views of networks make enforcing cooperation easier.
A Study of the Quality-oriented Education of Metal Material Engineering Students

The paper investigates the present situation of quality-oriented education of metal material engineering students. It also presents the chart of causal analysis of important degree of influencing quality-oriented education with the help of and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and causal analysis. In the chart of causal analysis of important degree, we may directly see taxis of each influence factor and conveniently find out main influence factors. The results of the study has better objectivity, scientificity and reliability. The results will be of great help in strengthening students quality-oriented education.
NHE-1 Inhibition: A Potential New Treatment for Resuscitation from Cardiac Arrest

Research on methods to improve the effectiveness of closed-chest resuscitation has traditionally centered on efforts to develop more effective means to deliver oxygen and energy substrates (1, 2) and on efforts to limit injury associated with the resuscitation process (3, 4). Yet, the possibility that cardiac resuscitation and survival may be improved by targeting specific pathogenic pathways that are activated during ischemia and reperfusion has only recently been considered. Among the various pathways that can play a pathogenic role during ischemia and reperfusion, activation of the sarcolemmal sodium-hydrogen exchanger isoform-1 (NHE-1) with subsequent Na+-induced cytosolic Ca2+ overload has emerged as an important target (5, 6, 7, 8, 9).
A multiphase switched capacitor power amplifier in 130nm CMOS

This paper presents a multiphase switched-capacitor power amplifier (MP-SCPA). Cartesian combining architectures suffer reduced output power and efficiency owing to combination of out-of-phase signals. The multiphase architecture reduces the phase difference between the basis vectors that are combined, increasing the output power and efficiency compared to the Cartesian combiners. 16 equally spaced phases are produced by a phase generator with each phase's relative amplitude weighted on the bottom plate of a capacitor array and combined on a common top plate, resulting in linear amplification. The MP-SCPA delivers a peak output power and PAE of 26 dBm and 24.9%, respectively. When amplifying an LTE signal the average output power and PAE are 20.9 dBm and 15.2%, respectively while achieving <−30 dBc ACLR and 3.5 %-rms EVM.
Corporate social responsibility and degrees of operating and financial leverage

We examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and firms’ degrees of operating (DOL) and financial leverage (DFL). Combining the enlightened value maximizing and capital structure theories, we hypothesize that CSR as firms’ strategic choice to internalize the cost from implicit contracts between the firms and their non-investing stakeholders affects firms’ operating and financial leverage. We find empirical evidence that CSR and CSR strengths are positively (negatively) related to firms’ DOL (DFL). CSR concerns are positively related firms’ DOL and DFL. We also document that CSR is positively related to firms’ operating cost and we find evidence that CSR acts as a substitute for corporate debt tax shield when firms’ financial leverage is low.
Zero Gravity, Anti-Mimesis and the Abolition of the Horizon: On Cosmokinetic Cabinet Noordung's "Postgravity Art"

Abstract This article presents the work of the retro-utopian Slovenian performance and theatre collective Cosmokinetic Cabinet Noordung and its striving to abolish mimetic art in zero gravity (“postgravity art”). It describes the origin of the space station rotating around its own axis (designed in 1928 by Hermann Potocnik Noordung in The Problem of Space Travel), questions the relationship between zero gravity and the historical avant-garde (especially suprematism) as postulated by theater director Dragan Živadinov and sketches the past, present and future of the collective’s 50-year project Noordung 1995–2045.
The ins and outs of US youth soccer: learning about loyalty and success

This paper discusses one aspect of competitive youth team soccer in the US: the tension between loyalty and success. Teams use rituals to encourage parents and players to place loyalty to the team ...
Sociodemographic and Substance Use Disorder Determinants of HIV Sexual Risk Behavior in Men and Women in Outpatient Drug Treatment in the NIDA National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network.

ABSTRACTBackground: Sexual risk behavior is now the primary vector of HIV transmission among substance users in the United States with gender as a crucial moderator of risk behavior. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine gender differences in factors (age, race/ethnicity, education) that predict main-partner unprotected sexual occasions (USO) using the unique platform of two parallel NIDA National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network gender-specific safer sex intervention trials. Methods: Baseline assessments of male (N = 430) and female (N = 377) participants included demographic characteristics; past 3-month sexual activity; and a diagnostic assessment for alcohol, cocaine/stimulant, and opioid use disorders. Using mixed effects generalized linear modeling of the main outcome USO, two-way interactions of gender with age, race/ethnicity, and education were evaluated and adjusted by alcohol, cocaine/stimulant, or opioid use disorder. Results: When adjusted for alcohol use disorder, ...
Revisiting Mahoney’s ‘My body is a temple…’ study: spirituality as a mediator of the religion–health interaction among adolescents

AbstractThis study proposes and tests a new model that seeks to explain associations between religion, spirituality and health outcomes among adolescents. Specifically, we test for mediating effects of perceived spirituality on religion–health relations. Using data from the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development, we find that perceived spirituality mediates religion–health relations, but that varies based on youths’ conceptualisation of spirituality. With findings confirming that perceived spirituality potentially promote youths’ psychosocial health, we offer some future research directions and implications regarding relations between youths’ spirituality, religion and health behaviours.
Discrimination of wine lactic acid bacteria by Raman spectroscopy

Species of Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, Oenococcus, and Leuconostoc play an important role in winemaking, as either inoculants or contaminants. The metabolic products of these lactic acid bacteria have considerable effects on the flavor, aroma, and texture of a wine. However, analysis of a wine’s microflora, especially the bacteria, is rarely done unless spoilage becomes evident, and identification at the species or strain level is uncommon as the methods required are technically difficult and expensive. In this work, we used Raman spectral fingerprints to discriminate 19 strains of Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, and Oenococcus. Species of Lactobacillus and Pediococcus and strains of O. oeni and P. damnosus were classified with high sensitivity: 86–90 and 84–85%, respectively. Our results demonstrate that a simple, inexpensive method utilizing Raman spectroscopy can be used to accurately identify lactic acid bacteria isolated from wine.
Temporal and regional intestinal changes in permeability, tight junction, and cytokine gene expression following ovariectomy-induced estrogen deficiency

Abstract Estrogen deficiency that occurs during menopause is associated with wide‐ranging consequences, including effects on the gastrointestinal system. Although previous studies have implicated a role for estrogen in modulating colonic permeability and inflammatory gene expression, the kinetics of these changes following loss of estrogen and whether they are intestinal region specific are unknown. To test this, we performed sham or ovariectomy (OVX) surgery in BALB/c mice and examined permeability (in vivo and ex vivo) and gene expression changes in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon at 1, 4, and 8 weeks postsurgery. In vivo permeability, assessed by FITC‐dextran gavage and subsequent measures of serum levels, indicated that OVX significantly increased whole intestinal permeability 1 week postsurgery before returning to sham levels at 4 and 8 weeks. Permeability of individual intestinal sections, measured ex vivo by Ussing chambers, revealed specific regional and temporal responses to OVX, with the most dynamic changes exhibited by the ileum. Analysis of gene expression, by qPCR and by mathematical modeling, revealed an OVX‐specific effect with tight junction and inflammatory gene expression elevated and suppressed with both temporal and regional specificity. Furthermore, ileal and colonic expression of the tight junction protein occludin was found to be significantly correlated with expression of TNF α and IL‐1 β . Together, our studies reveal previously unappreciated effects of estrogen deficiency in specific intestinal segments and further demonstrate temporal links between estrogen deficiency, inflammatory genes, and intestinal permeability.
Effect of dynamic modeling of thermal bridges on the energy performance of residential buildings with high thermal mass for cold climates

Abstract This paper investigates the effect of dynamic modeling of thermal bridges on the energy performance of multi-unit residential buildings with high thermal mass under cold climates of Canada. The simulation results show that the inclusion of thermal bridges increases the annual space heating energy demand by 38–42% and decreases the annual space cooling energy demand by 8–26% for pour-in-place concrete construction for the four cities studied in the province of British Columbia, Canada. The improvement of building envelope connection details significantly reduces the contribution of thermal bridges to 3–4% for the space heating energy demand. Due to the smaller amount of thermal bridges in brick veneer construction, the inclusion of thermal bridges increases the annual space heating energy demand by 24–28%. The dynamic effect of thermal bridges on the energy performance depends on the amount and quality of thermal bridges. Compared to the 3D dynamic modeling approach, the annual space heating energy demand can be underestimated by up to 13% by the equivalent U-value method and up to 10% by the equivalent wall method, respectively. The difference between 3-D dynamic modeling and the equivalent U-value method is reduced to less than 3% when the connection details are improved.
Influence of Dietary Patterns on Plasma Soluble CD14, a Surrogate Marker of Gut Barrier Dysfunction

Background: Specific foods and nutrients, including alcohol, may contribute to gut barrier dysfunction. However, to our knowledge, the influence of whole diets is currently unknown. Objective: We aimed to cross-sectionally investigate associations of dietary patterns with plasma soluble CD14 (sCD14), which is released by macrophages on stimulation with endotoxin and has been used as a marker of gut hyperpermeability. Methods: We used food-frequency questionnaire data collected from 689 women in the Nurses’ Health Study and 509 men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Our principal component analysis identified 2 dietary patterns: “Western” (higher intakes of red meat, processed meat, desserts, and refined grains) and “prudent” (higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains). In multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analyses, we estimated ORs and 95% CIs for high (equal to or greater than the median compared with less than the median) sCD14 concentrations in quintiles of each dietary pattern. Using logistic regression, we also investigated the joint association of the Western dietary pattern and alcohol intake or C-reactive protein (CRP) with sCD14 concentrations. Results: Western dietary pattern scores were positively associated with sCD14 concentrations (OR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.24, 2.79; P -trend = 0.0005; comparing extreme quintiles). Analyses of joint associations suggested that the strongest associations with higher sCD14 concentrations were for persons with both high Western pattern scores and high alcohol intake compared with participants with low scores for both (OR: 2.96; 95% CI: 1.61, 5.45) or for participants with both high Western pattern scores and high CRP values compared with those with low scores for both (OR: 4.11; 95% CI: 2.57, 6.58). The prudent pattern was not associated with sCD14 concentrations. Conclusions: Higher consumption of the Western dietary pattern is associated with a marker of macrophage activation and gut hyperpermeability, especially when coupled with high alcohol intake and heightened systemic inflammation. Our findings need confirmation in studies with additional markers of gut barrier dysfunction.
Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH) for Differential Diagnosis of Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Introduction:Soft tissue sarcomas are rare tumors comprising 1 percent of solid malignancies. The latest edition of WHO soft tissue pathology lists 94 benign and malignant soft tissue tumors. Many of these show a large degree of morphological overlap. Immunohistochemistry has been shown to be reliable in many cases for differential diagnosis of lesions, although cytogenetic tests are considered the gold standard for many entities.Fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) is a cytogenetic technique that uses fluorescent probes that bind to only those parts of the chromosome which have a high degree of sequence complementarity. Many soft tissue tumors show recurrent genetic mutations that are now being used as diagnostic markers. Knowledge of the molecular identity allows prediction of behavior, prognosis and treatment response. Objective:The aim of this study was to identify genetic mutations in soft tissue sarcomas using FISH testing and to assess correlations with histological diagnosis. Material and methods:A total of 25 cases of different soft tissue sarcomas diagnosed on histology with the help of immunohistochemical staining and for which FISH studies were requested were included in this study. Three pathologists with a special interest in soft tissue sarcomas reviewed the cases. FISH tests for EWS, the X:18 translocation, FOXO1 and MDM2 were respectively applied for 8 cases of Ewing sarcoma, 8 cases of synovial sarcoma, 2 cases of rhabdomyosarcoma and 7 cases of dedifferentiated liposarcoma and atypical lipomatous tumors/well differentiated liposarcomas. Results:EWS gene fusion was detected in 7 out of 8 cases of Ewing sarcoma and the X:18 translocation was positive in 3 of the 8 cases of synovial sarcoma. FOXO1 was not detected in either of the two rhabdomyosarcomas. MDM2 by FISH was detected in only one out of 5 cases of atypical lipomatous tumors and 1 out of 2 dedifferentiated liposarcomas. Conclusion: FISH is a useful adjunct in the diagnostic assessment of different types of soft tissue sarcomas. It is easy to set up, is relatively inexpensive and has the ability to diagnose sarcomas with great accuracy, especially in cases which can not be accurately classified even after thorough histological and immunohistochemical evaluation. It may play a very important role in the accurate diagnosis and correct management of patients.
Problems For Configurations and Arrangements

A more appropriate but longer title for this chapter would be “Problems formulated for configurations and solved for arrangements”1. In fact, many problems formulated for configurations, whether combinatorial or algorithmic, are easier to approach in dual space where an arrangement of hyperplanes represents the configuration. It is safe to say that the translation of the problem into dual space makes it easier to see some aspects of the problem which are otherwise hidden; these aspects may or may not be important for a solution.
Idiosyncrasies of Limbic Kindling in Developing Rats

While expression of the basic kindling phenomena appears to be the same regardless of age, kindling in developing rats differs significantly from adult kindling in a number of characteristics which may shed light on age-dependent differences in human epilepsy4,26,(Baram this volume). At all ages (older than postnatal day [PN] 7), repeated electrical stimuli delivered to limbic structures lead to the progression from focal to generalized seizures, increase in afterdischarge (AD) duration, and a permanent alteration in seizure susceptibility. However, there are age-dependent differences in the rates of kindling development and kindling potential of specific limbic sites, motor seizure expression, interactions between kindled foci, and effects of kindling on dentate synaptic transmission and morphologic hippocampal alterations. These differences correlate well with the heightened seizure susceptibility of the young, their predisposition to multifocal seizures, and the resistance of the immature hippocampus to seizure-induced hippocampal injury.
RNA AND PROTEIN IN NUCLEOCYTOPLASMIC INTERACTIONS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses a study to analyze RNA and protein in nucleocytoplasmic interactions. A series of experiments was performed in which amoeba nuclei containing radioactive RNA were grafted into unlabeled amoebae and the subsequent distribution of radioactivity was detected by autoradiography. Examination of the autoradiographs reveals that the radioactivity leaves the nucleus and appears in the cytoplasm in RNA. Several kinds of analysis show that the major portion of the radioactivity that appears in the cytoplasm does not come from a pool of acid-soluble precursors in the nucleus. It is concluded that acid-insoluble nuclear RNA is a precursor of at least some of the RNA in the cytoplasm. Experiments in which an amoeba nucleus labeled with radioactive amino acid was grafted into an unlabeled amoeba disclose that the subsequent distribution of radioactivity is much different from what one observes with RNA labeling. With amino acid labeling, it is found that about 90% of the radioactivity becomes distributed between the transplanted nucleus and the nucleus of the recipient cell.
FitAware: Mediating Group Fitness Strategies with Smartwatch Glanceable Feedback

Smartwatch fitness trackers seek to encourage healthy behavior through rich glanceable feedback that is easily accessible. This research examines how smartwatches can be used in existing group-based physical activity community interventions to provide group and individual feedback as the means to channel competitive and cooperative strategies. Seeking to avoid relying on in-person or web-based interventions that are known to have high drop-out rates, this paper presents a smartwatch-centered system that tracks steps and provides glanceable group dynamics-based feedback about personal and group performance. An 8-week deployment program with 27 participants shows successes and challenges with smartwatch-centered interventions. Most notably, the smartwatch was integral for groups with high levels of group cohesion to successfully mediate friendly competition, cooperation, and support, leading to better adherence to individually set physical activity goals and higher engagement levels with the smartwatch and the program.
The Association of Patient Satisfaction with Pain, Anxiety, and Self-Reported Physical Function

Background:A complete understanding of the variables that influence patient satisfaction has yet to be reached. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patient-reported physical function, pain, and/or anxiety are associated with patient satisfaction in a hand and upper-extremity outpatien
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Strategic Vision Implementation for Health Equity Research

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) provides global leadership for a research, training, and education program to promote the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, and blood diseases and enhance the health of all individuals so that they can live longer and more fulfilling lives. Inherent in this mission is the commitment to advance health equity research as an avenue for enhancing the health of all individuals. Additionally, the four goals and eight research objectives of the NHLBI Strategic Vision directly support the commitment to health equity. In this article, we present selected examples of the NHLBI Strategic Vision implementation approaches for advancing health equity research in our mission areas of heart, lung, and blood diseases. Examples of diseases for which the burden of health inequities and our strategic vision implementation approaches are discussed include hypertension, heart failure, vascular dementia, asthma, and sickle cell disease. Examples are provided of new avenues of Institute-solicited research to stimulate and address compelling scientific questions and critical challenges to advance health equity. We also highlight the emerging fields of implementation science and predictive analytics as important opportunities to accelerate the translation of discovery science into health impact for all and to advance health equity.
Number lines, but not area models, support children’s accuracy and conceptual models of fraction division

Abstract The Common Core State Standards in Mathematics recommends that children should use visual models to represent fraction operations, such as fraction division. However, there is little experimental research on which visual models are the most effective for helping children to accurately solve and conceptualize these operations. In the current study, 123 fifth and sixth grade students solved fraction division problems in one of four visual model conditions: number lines, circular area models, rectangular area models, or no visual model at all. Children who solved the problems accompanied by a number line were more accurate and showed evidence of consistently producing sound conceptual models across the majority of problems than did children who completed problems with either area model or no visual model at all. These findings are particularly striking given that children have experienced partitioning area models into equal shares as early as first grade, thus circles and rectangles were likely familiar to children. The number line advantage may stem from the fact that they afford the ability to represent both operand magnitudes in relation to one another and relative to a common endpoint. Future work should investigate the optimal order that instructors should introduce various visual models to promote children’s representational fluency across number lines and area models.
Siam’s New Detectives: Visualizing Crime and Conspiracy in Modern Thailand

Siam’s New Detectives is a national case study that contributes to the burgeoning literature on the development of forensic and identification technologies in the twentieth century. Samson Lim chro...
Simulation Models for Improved Water Heating Systems

Simulation Models for Improved Water Heating Systems Jim Lutz, Peter Grant, and Margarita Kloss Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Department Environmental Energy Technologies Division Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Berkeley, CA 94720 December 2013 This work was sponsored by the California Energy Commission, Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program, under the National Lab Buildings Energy Efficiency Research Projects Contract No. 500-10-052. This work was supported by the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Office of Building Technology, State, and Community Programs, of the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231.
The misdiagnosis of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome in a VA population.

Aims The complexity of Interstitial Cystitis/bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS) has led to a great deal of uncertainty around the diagnosis and prevalence of the condition. Under the hypothesis that IC/BPS is frequently misdiagnosed, we sought to assess the accuracy of the ICD-9/ICD-10 code for IC/BPS using a national data set. Methods Using the Veterans Affairs Informatics and Computing Infrastructure, we identified a random sample of 100 patients with an ICD-9/ICD-10 diagnosis of IC/BPS (595.1/N30.10) by querying all living patients in the Veterans Affairs (VA) system. We purposely sampled men and women equally to better understand gender-specific practice patterns. Patients were considered a correct IC/BPS diagnosis if they had two visits complaining of bladder-centric pain in the absence of positive urine culture at least 6 weeks apart. Patients were considered not to have IC/BPS if they had a history of pelvic radiation, systemic chemotherapy, metastatic cancer, or bladder cancer. Results Of the 100 patients, 48 were female and 52 were male. Five had prior radiation, one had active cancer, and 10 had bladder cancer (all male), and an additional fifteen had insufficient records. Of the remaining 69 patients, 43% did not have IC/BPS. Of these patients who did not have IC/BPS, 43% complained only of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms, which was more common in women (63%) than men (21%), P = .003. Conclusions In our small sample from a nationwide VA system, results indicate that IC/BPS has a high misdiagnosis rate. These findings shed light on the gender-specific diagnostic complexity of IC/BPS.
The effect of X-irradiation on hydrocarbon metabolism and on hydrocarbon-induced lethality and transformation in cells derived from mouse prostate

In M 2 cells derived from C 3 H mouse prostate which are X-irradiated (250 r) 48 h before treatment the lethality induced by 3-methylcholanthrene and 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene is decreased, that induced by the K-region epoxide of 3-methylcholanthrene is significantly increased, whereas that induced by N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine is not altered. The effect of prior X-irradiation on the rate of malignant transformation in vitro is as follows: that caused by 3-methylcholanthrene is markedly decreased, that caused by the K-region epoxide of 3-methylcholanthrene is significantly increased, while that caused by dimethylbenz(a)anthracene or by N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine is not influenced. The data suggest that the effect of X-rays on methylcholanthrene-induced transformation in vitro is due to altered methylcholanthrene metabolism.
ISSRE Cares: How the Software Reliability Engineering Community Can Give Back to Society

The reliability engineering community should consider undertaking activities that benefit society as an integral part of their major conferences such as ISSRE. The requirements engineering community adopted a philanthropic activity combining to assist an organization in the locale of the IEEE Requirements Engineering (RE) conference, called RE Cares. At the conference, a live requirements elicitation is performed. Then, developed artifacts are used by the open source community to continue development of the application. The reliability engineering community could adopt a similar model and serve the locale of their ISSRE conference via ISSRE Cares. Rather than requirements and prototyping, ISSRE Cares would perform reliability engineering of an important application that helps serve the public interest, by, for example, applying testing techniques and expertise.
Reirradiation for Rectal Cancer Using Pencil Beam Scanning Proton Therapy: A Single Institutional Experience.

Purpose Reirradiation for rectal cancer (RC) after prior pelvic radiation therapy (RT) has been shown to be safe and effective. However, limited data exist for proton therapy (PT), including pencil beam scanning proton therapy (PBS-PT). We hypothesize that PT is safe and feasible for re-treatment and may allow for decreased toxicity and treatment escalation. Methods and materials A single-institution, retrospective, institutional review board-approved analysis of all patients with RC and prior pelvic RT receiving PBS-PT reirradiation was performed. Data on patient and treatment characteristics and outcomes were collected. Local progression, progression-free survival, overall survival, and late grade >3 toxicity were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results Twenty-eight patients (median follow-up: 28.6 months) received PBS-PT reirradiation between 2016 and 2019, including 18 patients with recurrent RC (median prior dose: 54.0 Gy) and 10 patients with de novo RC and variable prior RT. The median reirradiation dose was 44.4 Gy (range, 16.0-60.0 Gy; 21 of 28 twice daily), and 24 of 28 patients received concurrent chemotherapy. Six underwent surgical resection. Three (10.7%) experienced grade 3 acute toxicities, and 1 did not complete RT owing to toxicity. Four (14.2%) had late grade <3 toxicity, including 1 grade 5 toxicity in a patient with a prior RT-related injury. The 1-year local progression, progression-free survival, and overall survival rates were 33.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.5%-52.9%), 45.0% (95% CI, 26.2%-63.8%), and 81.8% (95% CI, 67.3%-96.3%), respectively. Conclusions This is the largest series using PT for reirradiation for RC and the first study using PBS-PT. Low acute toxicity rates and acceptable late toxicity support PBS-PT as an option for this high-risk patient population, with a need for continued follow-up.
The Association of Sleep Hygiene and Drowsiness with Adverse Driving Events in Emergency Medicine Residents.

Introduction: Prior research shows that physicians in training are at risk for drowsy driving following their clinical duties, which may put them in danger of experiencing adverse driving events. This study explores the relationship between sleepiness, overall sleep hygiene, level of training, and adverse driving events following an overnight shift in emergency medicine (EM) residents.Methods: Throughout the 2018-2019 academic year, 50 EM residents from postgraduate years 1–4 completed self-administered surveys regarding their sleepiness before and after their drive home following an overnight shift, any adverse driving events that occurred during their drive home, and their overall sleep hygiene.Results: Fifty out of a possible 57 residents completed the survey for a response rate of 87.7%. Sleepiness was significantly associated with adverse driving events (beta = 0.31; P < .001). Residents with high sleepiness levels reported significantly more adverse driving events. Residents reported significantly higher sleepiness levels after completing their drive home (mean = 7.04, standard deviation [SD] = 1.41) compared to sleepiness levels before driving home (mean = 5.58, SD = 1.81). Residency training level was significantly associated with adverse driving events (beta = -0.59, P < .01). Senior residents reported significantly fewer adverse driving events compared to junior residents.Conclusion: Emergency physicians in training are at risk for drowsy driving-related motor vehicle crashes following overnight work shifts. Trainees of all levels underestimated their true degree of sleepiness prior to initiating their drive home, while junior residents were at higher risk for adverse driving events.
Updates from the 2020 World Health Organization Classification of Soft Tissue and Bone Tumours.

The fifth edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of soft tissue and bone tumours was published in May 2020. This 'Blue Book', which is also available digitally for the first time, incorporates an array of new information on these tumours, amassed in the 7 years since the previous edition. Major advances in molecular characterisation have driven further refinements in classification and the development of ancillary diagnostic tests, and have improved our understanding of disease pathogenesis. Several new entities are also included. This review summarises the main changes introduced in the 2020 WHO classification for each subcategory of soft tissue and bone tumours.
Compensatory Vascular Remodeling in Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease in Response to Chronic Inflammation: An Interplay between Platelets and Lymphocytes

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Widespread chronic inflammation in patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis (CKD5-HD) has been demonstrated by elevated levels of circulating inflammatory biomarkers, including CD40 ligand (CD40L), angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2). As CD40L and Ang-2 are indicators of damage due to inflammation, Ang-1 demonstrates protective vascular effects, such as inflammation reduction and vascular remodeling. In CKD5-HD patients, renal death increases levels of circulating inflammatory mediators, which may be damaging to endothelial cells throughout the vascular system. Despite this chronic inflammation, complex activation of the immune system may be involved in upregulated Ang-1-mediated compensatory mechanisms to maintain vascular integrity and counter the Ang-2 response. METHODS: Plasma levels of CD40L, Ang-2, Ang-1, and PAI-1 in CKD5-HD patients (n=97) and commercially acquired controls (n=17-50) were measured using sandwich ELISA technique. Complete blood counts (CBC) and electronic medical records (EMR) were reviewed for blood values. WBC count between 4-11 K/UL and platelet count between 150-450 K/UL were considered within normal range. GraphPad Prism software was used for Mann-Whitney t-tests, Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric ANOVAs and Spearman r statistical analyses. RESULTS: CD40L (0.32 ± 0.04 ng/mL), Ang-2 (10.46 ± 0.67 ng/mL), and Ang-1 (0.62 ± 0.08 ng/mL) levels were significantly increased in CKD5-HD patients compared to controls (p SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of CD40L and Ang-2 are suggestive of chronic inflammation related to CKD5-HD. As inflammatory mediators, such as these, are continually elevated in this condition, Ang-1 may be upregulated as a compensatory mechanism to dampen the inflammatory response and promote vascular remodeling of damaged vessels. Strong correlation between CD40L and Ang-1 may be indirectly related to platelet activation. Besides activating lymphocytes, CD40L activates platelets, which, in turn, release Ang-1. This may be another tactic to limit inflammation. Within the endothelium, Ang-1 reduces recruitment of lymphocytes to damaged tissue by downregulating adhesion molecules and reducing vascular leak. Additionally, Ang-1 has been demonstrated to enhance HSC quiescence in bone marrow niches. These combined effects of Ang-1 activation of the Tie2 signaling pathway may counteract chronic inflammation-mediated stress signals to help maintain homeostatic WBC and platelet counts seen in most of these patients. The overall increase in CD40L, Ang-1, and Ang-2 in CKD5-HD suggests the homeostatic role of Ang-1 in maintaining the vasculature damaged by chronic inflammation, participation in maintaining normal levels of WBC and platelets, and demonstrates its potential to be utilized for therapeutic management of CKD5-HD patients. Download : Download high-res image (49KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure . Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.