cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Haemorrhagic colitis associated with enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O165 : H25 infection in a yearling feedlot heifer

Introduction: Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) cause haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uraemic syndrome in humans. Although EHEC infection typically results in haemorrhagic colitis in all ages of human patients, in cattle it is usually limited to 1- to 5-week-old nursing calves. Case Presentation: A 1-year-old feedlot beef heifer was moribund with neurological signs and bloody diarrhoea. At necropsy, the colonic mucosa contained multiple grossly visible haemorrhagic erosions, each measuring < 1 mm in diameter. Histologically, foci corresponding to the gross erosions had E. coli O165 antigen-positive bacterial rods adherent to the apical surfaces of degenerate and necrotic colonic mucosal epithelial cells in association with attaching and effacing lesions, and also within cytoplasmic vacuoles in some of these cells. An E. coli O165 : H25 strain was isolated from the colonic mucosal tissue, and by microarray analysis was found to contain virulence genes corresponding to type III secretion system (T3SS) structure and regulation (cesD, cesT, escD, escF, escN/escV, escR, escT, ler, sepL, sepQ), T3SS effectors (espA, espB, espC, espD, espD, espF, espH, espJ, nleB, nleC, nleD, nleH, tir), serine proteases (eatA, espC, espP), Shiga toxin (stx 2), EHEC-haemolysin (ehxA), and adhesins [intimin-ϵ (eae-ϵ), type 1 fimbria (fimA, fimB, fimH), type IV pili (pilA, pilB, pilC, pilM, pilP, pilQ) and non-fimbrial adhesin (efa1/lifA)]. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of disease in cattle associated with EHEC O165 : H25 infection, the oldest bovine EHEC disease case with isolation of the pathogen and the first bovine case to demonstrate grossly evident, haemorrhagic, colonic mucosal erosions associated with EHEC infection.
In-situ spectroscopic monitoring of the ambient pressure hydrogenation of C2 to ethane on Pt(111)

Abstract The hydrogenation of C 2 molecules formed on the Pt(111) surface through acetylene exposure at 750 K was monitored in-situ with reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) in the presence of up to 10 Torr of H 2 . The coverage of post-reaction surface carbon was measured with Auger electron spectroscopy. The RAIR spectra show that C 2 is hydrogenated to an ethylidyne intermediate. The hydrogenation of ethylidyne was also monitored at 400 K for H 2 (g) pressures of 1.0 × 10 − 2 to 10 Torr. At H 2 (g) pressures greater than 1.0 Torr, ethylidyne is completely hydrogenated. In an attempt to probe the nature of the C 2 adsorption sites, RAIR spectra of coadsorbed CO were obtained. It is found that while C 2 does not block CO adsorption, the spectra indicate that the surface carbon is free of hydrogen. In contrast, ethylidyne blocks CO adsorption sites. In the presence of coadsorbed CO, complete hydrogenation of ethylidyne occurs at 450 K versus 400 K in the absence of CO.
CRT-200.58 Acute MI With and Without Hemodynamic Support: A Network Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

The intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and Impella may be used for hemodynamic support during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). However, controversy exists regarding its use in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). We performed a network meta-analysis of studies in patients with
Effectiveness of Low-Pressure Metal–Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition Coatings on Metal Surfaces for the Mitigation of Fouling from Heated Jet Fuel

Thin films of alumina, zirconia, tantalum oxide, and platinum were deposited on AISI304 by metal–organic chemical vapor deposition to investigate the effectiveness of these coatings in inhibiting carbon deposition and sulfide formation from thermal oxidative degradation of jet fuel. Coated AISI304 foils were heated in a laboratory scale flow reactor with a commercial jet fuel (Jet-A) flowing at 1 mL/min at a wall temperature of 350 °C and reactor pressure of 500 psig (3.4 MPa) for 5 h. Under these conditions, both liquid phase autoxidation and thermal decomposition of jet fuel contribute to carbon deposition. The surface composition of the metal oxide coatings was found by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The morphology of the coating and the carbonaceous deposits formed during thermal stressing were examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The amount of solid carbonaceous deposits on the coated and uncoated surfaces was measured by temperature-programmed oxidation. The effectiveness of t...
ESRD in the Elderly: The Scope of the Problem

The elderly (age >65 years) and the very elderly patients (age >75 years) constitute the fastest growing segment of patients starting dialysis. One out of every four patients starting dialysis in the USA is above the age of 75 years. There has been a huge increase in octogenarians and nonagenarians starting dialysis. Maintenance hemodialysis (HD) is often the initial dialysis modality of such patients with multiple comorbidities.
Exploring Demographic and Substance Use Correlates of Hookah Use in a Sample of Southern California Community College Students.

Background and purpose Hookah smoking is a growing young adult phenomenon, particularly among college students. Many users feel that it is safer than other tobacco products, although its health threats are well documented. Little is known about hookah use rates in community colleges that are attended by nearly half of all US college students. This study examined hookah use in a diverse convenience sample of students attending two southern California community colleges. Methods In fall 2011, a cross-sectional, in-classroom survey was administered to 1,207 students. A series of fully adjusted multivariate logistic regressions were conducted to explore demographic, other substance use, and attitudinal correlates of lifetime and current hookah use. Results Lifetime hookah use (56%) was higher than lifetime cigarette use (49%). Gender and personal socioeconomic status were not related to hookah use. Current use (10.8%) was associated with current use of alcohol, cigars, and cigarettes. Compared to African-Americans, Whites were 2.9 times more likely to be current users, and students who perceive hookah to be more socially acceptable were 21 times more likely to currently use. Conclusion Since hookah use rates are high, colleges should offer health education programs to inform incoming students about the health risks of hookah and cessation programs.
The logic of the theoretical and practical products of design research

Design research (DR) promises to simultaneously solve practical problems of education and develop theory to guide future interventions. However, educational DR remains paradigmatically underdeveloped, making it difficult to train new researchers, to agree upon what makes a theoretical contribution, and to promise clear outputs to funders – all of which hinders the accumulation of knowledge. To further the paradigmatic development of educational DR we ask: how do we characterise the practical and theoretical products of DR? We propose that DR products are arguments for how people should learn. The theoretical products are design models in the form of blueprints, design arguments, and mockups, as well as principles and frameworks – all of which help designers create practical products to promote learning in the real world. Furthermore, the products of DR precipitate and build upon theoretical contributions from other fields in the natural sciences and ethics. This understanding of the products of DR strengthens the methodology and allows us to better build theory for solving educational problems.
The Truth About Tissues

This chapter addresses issues unique to the isolation of RNA from animal tissue; the isolation of RNA from plants tissue is the focus of Chapter 5, Going Green: RNA and the Molecular Biology of Plants. The isolation of high-quality RNA from cells grown in culture is generally far easier to accomplish than is an attempted RNA isolation from tissue. The primary reason is that the three-dimensional architecture of the tissue must be dismantled and removed, compared to disruption of a cell monolayer. Frequently, aggressive methods of homogenization in the presence of rather harsh formulations of lysis buffers are required. Some tissues are notorious for their legendary levels of RNase and reluctance to give up their RNA. Thus the aggressive methods needed to compensate for the unique character of tissue often results in the isolation of total cellular RNA. Tissues can be snap-frozen, or otherwise stabilized and stored at −80°C immediately after harvesting. RNA isolation may then be performed at a more convenient time. RNA isolation from tissue is nonnegotiable when studying diseased tissue, when attempting to ascertain a tissue-specific response to an experimental challenge or other insult, or when trying to characterize the molecular physiology of normal tissue. In addition, the tissue sample itself may be difficult to acquire especially when the “phenomenon” is rare or when patient consent is required. Investigators working with human samples also know all too well of the inherent dangers of working with dangerous infectious agents. In such cases, the mechanics of RNA isolation from tissue samples is modified compared to RNA isolation from cell culture samples for the safety of everyone.
Pedagogy, Intellectuals, and Dissent in the Later Middle Ages: From pedagogies to hermeneutics: childhood, the literal sense, and the heretical classroom

INTRODUCTION From antiquity onwards, the literal sense was used as more than a mechanism of hermeneutical distinction. It was used to separate children from adults, childish learning from mature textual apprehension. As such, it was also a measure of discrimination enacted on the bodies of children, and a form of symbolic infantilization enacted on the bodies of certain classes of adults. Pursuing a diachronic genealogy, I consider here how pedagogical discourses of ancient intellectual lineage left their imprint on the most sharply politicized categories of late-medieval culture: from Quintilian, Plutarch, and Macrobius through early- and later-medieval discourses of education to late-fourteenth-century debates in England about lay learning, hermeneutical agency, and the political subject. Clifford Geertz has remarked that common sense, including notions of the literal sense, “remains more an assumed phenomenon than an analyzed one.” To be sure, the hermeneutical tradition of the literal sense, that tendentious, thorny, academic and theological tradition of debate about literal and figurative, or literal and spiritual reading of canonical and sacred texts – a tradition that extends from antiquity, from Middle Platonist and Neoplatonist theologizing of Homer and other poets – has been the object of minute analysis for the history of ideas, especially for the history of hermeneutics. But there is another long tradition of the literal sense that, by comparison, has been so taken for granted, has been so much an assumed phenomenon, that its most powerful manifestations are scarcely remarked.
Jewish Q&A Online and the Regulation of Sexuality: Using Foucault to Read Technology

Religion has the power to shape our understanding of gender and sexuality through various forms of practice, discourse, authority, and regulation. As religion is increasingly experienced through di...
Salen Manganese Complexes Mitigate Radiation Injury in Normal Tissues Through Modulation of Tissue Environment, Including Through Redox Mechanisms

Salen Mn complexes, including EUK-134, EUK-189, and the cyclized analog EUK-207, are synthetic SOD/catalase mimetics that have beneficial effects in many models of oxidative stress. As oxidative stress has been implicated by some investigators in delayed radiation injury, we are investigating whether these compounds can mitigate injury to normal tissues caused by ionizing radiation. This review describes some of this research, focusing on several tissues of interest, including the lung, kidney, and skin. These studies have demonstrated suppression of delayed radiation injury in animals treated with EUK-189 and/or EUK-207. While an antioxidant mechanism of action is postulated, it is likely that the mechanisms of radiation mitigation by these compounds in vivo are complex and may involve non-redox-related mechanisms and differ in various target tissues. It is notable, however, that indicators of oxidative stress are increased in lung and skin radiation injury models, and suppressed by salen Mn complexes. Furthermore, histological, gene expression, and other assessments suggest that salen Mn complex treatment promotes a more normalized tissue environment in irradiated animals, including preservation of microvasculature in the skin and lung. In certain experimental models, including irradiated cell cultures, salen Mn complexes have shown “mito-protective” properties, that is, attenuating mitochondrial injury. In summary, salen Mn complexes could be useful to mitigate delayed radiation injury to normal tissues following radiation therapy, accidental exposure, or radiological terrorism. Optimizing their mode of delivery and other key pharmaceutical properties, as well as gaining more understanding of their mechanism(s) of action as radiation mitigators, are key issues for future study.
Emerging role of immunotherapy in urothelial carcinoma-Immunobiology/biomarkers.

Abstract Urothelial bladder cancer is one of the first cancers recognized to be immunogenic since 40 years ago when the use of bacillus Calmette–Guerin was shown to prevent recurrence. Since that time, our knowledge of immune biology of cancer has expanded tremendously, and patients with bladder cancer finally have new active immunotherapeutic drugs on the horizon. Anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) therapy has shown impressively durable responses in urothelial bladder cancer (UBC), but the reported response rates warrant improvement. To outline potential strategies to overcome tumor immune resistance, herein, we summarize current models of tumor immunology with a specific focus on bladder cancer. Recognition of tumor-specific antigens through cross-presentation, T-cell priming and activation, and trafficking of immune cells to the tumor microenvironment are some of the critical steps we now understand to be necessary for an effective antitumor immune response. Many of the involved steps are important targets for therapeutic interventions. As new immunotherapies are developed, predictive biomarkers would also be important to select patients most likely to respond and to better understand tumor biology. Several potential biomarkers are reviewed including PD-L1 expression, identification of T-cell-inflamed/non–T-cell-inflamed tumors based on immune gene expression, intrinsic molecular subtyping based on luminal/basal or the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) groups, T-cell receptor sequencing, and somatic mutational density. Even within the past few years, our current knowledge of immune biology has exploded, and we are highly optimistic about the future of UBC therapy that will be available to patients.
Erratum to: Metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma response to nivolumab.

Following publication of this article [[1][1]], it was noticed that the Clinical Trial Number in the last paragraph of the conclusions section was incorrectly listed as [NCT02155647][2]. The correct Clinical Trials Number is [NCT02488759][3]. 1. 1.[↵][4]1. 2. Walocko FM , 3.
The radial organization of neuronal primary cilia is acutely disrupted by seizure and ischemic brain injury

Neuronal primary cilia are sensory organelles that are critically involved in the proper growth, development, and function of the central nervous system (CNS). Recent work also suggests that they signal in the context of CNS injury, and that abnormal ciliary signaling may be implicated in neurological diseases. We quantified the distribution of neuronal primary cilia alignment throughout the normal adult mouse brain by immunohistochemical staining for the primary cilia marker adenylyl cyclase III (ACIII) and measuring the angles of primary cilia with respect to global and local coordinate planes. We then introduced two different models of acute brain insult—temporal lobe seizure and cerebral ischemia, and re-examined neuronal primary cilia distribution, as well as ciliary lengths and the proportion of neurons harboring cilia. Under basal conditions, cortical cilia align themselves radially with respect to the cortical surface, while cilia in the dentate gyrus align themselves radially with respect to the granule cell layer. Cilia of neurons in the striatum and thalamus, by contrast, exhibit a wide distribution of ciliary arrangements. In both cases of acute brain insult, primary cilia alignment was significantly disrupted in a region-specific manner, with areas affected by the insult preferentially disrupted. Further, the two models promoted differential effects on ciliary lengths, while only the ischemia model decreased the proportion of ciliated cells. These findings provide evidence for the regional anatomical organization of neuronal primary cilia in the adult brain and suggest that various brain insults may disrupt this organization.
Antibody-Mediated Inhibition of Tspan12 Ameliorates Vasoproliferative Retinopathy Through Suppression of β-Catenin Signaling.

Background: Anti-angiogenic biologicals represent an important concept for the treatment of vasoproliferative diseases. However, the need for continued treatment, the presence of nonresponders, and the risk of long-term side effects limit the success of existing therapeutic agents. Although Tspan12 has been shown to regulate retinal vascular development, nothing is known about its involvement in neovascular disease and its potential as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of vasoproliferative diseases. Methods: Rodent models of retinal neovascular disease, including the mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy and the very low density lipoprotein receptor knockout mouse model were analyzed for Tspan/β-catenin regulation. Screening of a phage display of a human combinatorial antibody (Ab) library was used for the development of a high-affinity Ab against Tspan12. Therapeutic effects of the newly developed Ab on vascular endothelial cells were tested in vitro and in vivo in the oxygen-induced retinopathy and very low density lipoprotein receptor knockout mouse model. Results: The newly developed anti-Tspan12 Ab exhibited potent inhibitory effects on endothelial cell migration and tube formation. Mechanistic studies confirmed that the Ab inhibited the interaction between Tspan12 and Frizzled-4 and effectively modulates β-catenin levels and target genes in vascular endothelial cells. Tspan12/β-catenin signaling was activated in response to acute and chronic stress in the oxygen-induced retinopathy and very low density lipoprotein receptor mouse model of proliferative retinopathy. Intravitreal application of the Ab showed significant therapeutic effects in both models without inducing negative side effects on retina function. Moreover, combined intravitreal injection of the Ab with a known vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor, Aflibercept, resulted in significant enhancement of the therapeutic efficacy of each monotherapy. Combination therapy with the Tspan12 blocking antibody can be used to reduce anti-vascular endothelial growth factor doses, thus decreasing the risk of long-term off-target effects. Conclusions: Tspan12/β-catenin signaling is critical for the progression of vasoproliferative disease. The newly developed anti-Tspan12 antibody has therapeutic effects in vasoproliferative retinopathy and can enhance the potency of existing anti- vascular endothelial growth factor agents.
Taylor-Couette flow with radial fluid injection

Taylor-Couette cells have been shown to improve a number of industrial processes due to the wide variety of hydrodynamic flow states accessible. Traditional designs, however, limit the ability to introduce new fluids into the annulus during device operation due to geometric confinement and complexity. In this paper, a co- and counter-rotating Taylor-Couette cell with radial fluid injection has been constructed. The incorporation of 16 ports in the inner cylinder enables radial fluid injection during rotation of both cylinders. The design is also capable of continuous axial flow, enabling large injection volumes. The new inner cylinder design does not modify the critical Re for flow instabilities and can precisely inject a desired mass at a desired flow rate. A range of injection rates and masses were explored to quantify the effect of radial injection on the stability of the turbulent Taylor vortex structure. Only the highest injection rate and total mass studied (5.9 g/s, 100 g) modified the turbulent Taylor vortex structure after injection for a sustained period. The post-injection vortices remained larger than the pre-injection vortices, whereas at lower injection rates or masses, the vortex structure quickly returned to the pre-injection structure. This new system allows for in situ study of hydrodynamic effects on fluid-fluid (gas and liquid) mixing and multiphase complexation, growth, and structure. We demonstrated this new design's potential for studying the flocculation of bentonite using cationic polyacrylamide for enhancing water treatment operations.
Systemic risk and optimal fee for central clearing counterparty under partial netting

Abstract We propose a novel central clearing counterparty (CCP) design for a financial network, in which the participation of banks in the CCP depends on the proportional clearing fee. We obtain the optimal fee that maximizes the CCP’s net worth. We show that partial participation of banks in the CCP at the optimal fee rate reduces banks’ aggregate shortfall and also reduces the overall systemic risk. We also carry out numerical examples to verify the theoretical results.
An Intervention to Increase Students' Physical Activity: A 2-Year Pilot Study.

Introduction Schools are called upon to provide children with 30 minutes/day of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Most school-based physical activity interventions have not targeted schools that serve children from low-income families. This study evaluated the effects of a pilot, competency-building professional development program on the school day MVPA and total activity (light- to vigorous-intensity activity) of students from schools that serve low-income families. Study design Single group intervention with multiple follow-up repeated cross-sectional measures. Setting/participants Students attending eight elementary schools in one low-income school district serving 3,719 students. Intervention Participatory-based, experiential, competency-building professional development workshop for physical education and classroom teachers. Baseline was fall 2015, and the intervention was delivered during spring 2016 through spring 2017. Main outcome measures Hip-placed accelerometers were used to derive the percentage of children accumulating 30 minutes of MVPA during the school day, minutes of MVPA, and time spent sedentary. Analyses were conducted during July 2017. Results A total of 1,570 first- and fourth-grade students (49.8% girls, 87.0% African American, 88% free and reduced-price lunch) were measured across the project. Primary analyses indicated that the percentage of girls and boys meeting the 30-minutes/day guideline increased by 9.3% (95% CI=4.7%, 13.9%) and 10.4% (95% CI=5.5%, 15.3%), respectively. A corresponding increase of 1.7 (95% CI=0.5, 2.8) and 2.5 (95% CI=1.1, 3.8) MVPA minutes accumulated during the school day were observed for both girls and boys, respectively. Primary analyses indicated that statistically significant increases in MVPA and total activity for boys and girls were observed across the school day, during classroom time, and during physical education. Conclusions Participatory-based, experiential, competency-building professional development is an effective strategy for increasing students’ MVPA and total activity in low-income schools. However, data from this study indicate that targeting settings outside of the school day may be more appropriate given that schools were providing more than two thirds of the recommended 30 minutes/day of MVPA prior to intervention.
Preparation of the Operating Room, Back Table, and Surgical Team

The beginning of any robotic program can be quite challenging as multiple members of the group are learning the technology and their own personal roles. Therefore, a dedicated robotic surgical team needs to be established aiming to create and maintain the standards necessary to make the program successful and efficient. Each member of the team has to have a specific role when establishing the program, particularly when setting up the robotic operating room. In this chapter, we will discuss the essential elements involved in the preparation of the robotic operating room, the back table and the robotic surgical team.
¿Inglés para la paz? Colonialidad, ideología neoliberal y expansión discursiva en Colombia Bilingüe*

En este ensayo conceptual sobre las ideologias y los discursos que apoyan la politica de Colombia Bilingue, utilizo teorias sobre la de/colonialidad y sobre ideologia en la pedagogia critica para analizar cambios en los discursos oficiales de esta politica en relacion a la construccion de paz en Colombia. Las fuentes de investigacion incluyen documentos oficiales de Colombia Bilingue (manuales y documentos curriculares, folletos, paginas de internet y videos producidos por el Ministerio de Educacion Nacional), trabajo etnografico en escuelas focalizadas y entrevistas semi-estructuradas realizadas con docentes de ingles colombianos y extranjeros que forman parte de Colombia Bilingue. Propongo que junto con una explicita legitimacion neoliberal para la ensenanza del ingles, se ha promovido un discurso contemporaneo, especifico al contexto colombiano, el cual denomino ‘ingles para la paz.’ Esta ampliacion discursiva coincide con numerosas criticas hechas por la academia colombiana sobre la politica de Colombia Bilingue y su implementacion. A pesar de estas criticas, las practicas educativas de Colombia Bilingue siguen sin interrupcion, demostrando la hegemonia ideologica del neoliberalismo, y su control sobre el curriculo escolar. Por tanto, argumento que el discurso ‘ingles para la paz’ termina externalizando la paz y el conflicto dentro de una tecnificacion del idioma que hace aun menos probable que la ensenanza del ingles contribuya a la construccion de la paz en este momento coyuntural que vive Colombia. Para concluir, ofrezco algunas ideas curriculares basadas en la decolonialidad y la regionalizacion con el proposito de anunciar (o mas bien hacer eco de) otras posibilidades para la escolaridad que en ciertos casos podrian incluir la ensenanza del ingles.
Forests of Indiana, 2016

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Indiana based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Northern Research Station in cooperation with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized strategic sample design and are updated yearly. The current 2011-2016 sample set consists of 5,381 plots with 1,372 of them being forested or partially forested. In 2014, NRS-FIA changed to a 7-year inventory cycle, wherein 1/7th (14.3 percent) of the plots will be measured annually until 2020.This report includes inventory years 2011-2016 (2016) with comparisons made to 2007-2011 (2011). Data used in this publication were accessed from the FIA database in May 2017. See Bechtoldand Patterson (2005), O'Connell et al. (2017), and Gormanson et al. (2017) for definitions and technical details. FIA estimates, tabular data, and maps may be generated at http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/tools-data/. For more information about the FIA program visit the links on page 4 of this resource update.
Conformational analysis—129: Heats of formation and thermodynamic parameters for hydrocarbons, calculated by the molecular mechanics method including the effects of molecular vibrations,

A force field is presented in which the zero point energies and the effects of vibrational thermal excitation are included in the heat of formation calculations. The standard deviation of the difference between the calculated and experimental heats of formation of a diverse set of 44 hydrocarbons is 0.38 kcalmole, which is the same as the average experimental error for this set of compounds. This standard deviation is substantially lower than in previous similar force fields which did not include vibrational effects, and it is argued that much of this improvement is due to the inclusion of vibrational terms in the heat of formation. This force field also reproduces the experimental structures of compounds well.
A Clinical Nomogram for Predicting Node-positive Disease in Esophageal Cancer.

OBJECTIVE We developed and validated a nomogram predicting the likelihood of occult lymph node metastases in surgically resectable esophageal cancers. BACKGROUND Patients with esophageal cancer with positive lymph nodes benefit from neoadjuvant therapy, but limitations in current clinical staging techniques mean nodal metastases often go undetected preoperatively. METHODS The National Cancer Database was queried for patients with clinical T1-3N0M0 cancer undergoing upfront esophagectomy from 2004 to 2014. Multivariable logistic regression was used to develop the risk model using both statistical significance and clinical importance criteria for variable selection. Predictive accuracy was assessed and bootstrapping was used for validation. A nomogram was constructed for presentation of the final model. RESULTS Of 3186 patients, 688 (22%) had pathologic lymph node involvement (pN+) and 2498 (78%) had pN0 status. Variables associated with pN+ status included histology [adenocarcinoma vs squamous: odds ratio (OR) 1.75], tumor stage (T1: reference, T2: OR 1.90, T3: OR 2.17), tumor size (<1 cm: reference, 1-2 cm: OR 2.25, 2-3 cm: OR 3.82, 3-4 cm: OR 5.40, 4-5 cm: OR 5.66, ≥5 cm: OR 6.02), grade (1: reference, 2: OR 2.62, 3: OR 4.39, 4: OR 4.15, X: OR 1.87), and presence of lymphovascular invasion (absent: reference, present: OR 4.70, missing: OR 1.87), all P < 0.001. A nomogram with these variables had good predictive accuracy (Brier score: 0.14, calibration slope: 0.97, c-index: 0.77). CONCLUSIONS We created a nomogram predicting the likelihood of pathologic lymph node involvement in patients with esophageal cancer who are clinically node negative using a generalizable dataset. Risk stratification with this nomogram could improve delivery of appropriate perioperative care.
Genetic and Environmental Influences on First Rotation Shrub Willow (Salix spp.) Bark and Wood Elemental Composition

The elemental composition of woody biomass has important consequences for both energy conversion processes and agronomic management of nutrient budgets. In this study, the largest shrub willow yield trial dataset in North America has been leveraged to evaluate the effects of cultivar, growing environment and their interaction on elemental concentrations and content in shrub willow. Stem samples from six commercial cultivars in four trial locations in the Northeastern USA were separated into bark and wood and analyzed for C, N, and H by combustion and for elemental composition by ICP-OES. A second set of samples in the form of whole biomass from the same six cultivars and from six additional trial locations were also analyzed, totaling to 252 total independent observations. A Salix purpurea cultivar had greater N, Mg, and Fe concentrations in bark, whereas S. miyabeana cultivars had high Ca concentrations in both bark and wood. Hybrids between these two species displayed intermediate values. Multivariate analyses of the broader suite of biomass samples showed strong environmental effects on elemental composition, but there were a number of significant cultivar × location interactions. Nutrient export rates at harvest were largely a function of yield. These results showed potential cultivar-specific differences in nutrient uptake, but more broadly the results provide a robust method for nutrient management planning. These findings suggest a capacity to exploit existing genetic resources for improving phytoremediation and excess nutrient management projects.
The price of mental well-being in later life: the role of financial hardship and debt

Objective: This study investigated the associations between various financial hardship and debt indicators and mental health status among older adults.Methods: Using data from the Health and Retire...
Negotiating Local and Global Values in a Globalized World: The Envisioned Futures of Thai Adolescents

This study investigates how adolescents growing up in a rapidly globalizing Thai city psychologically manage local and global values when considering their envisioned futures. Qualitative analysis of interviews conducted with 20 (16-18 years old) adolescents reveals four distinct patterns of local-global value negotiation. Findings indicate that adolescents at times dynamically reshape local values in order to encompass global values; at other times, adolescents conceive of themselves as sitting at the crossroads of value systems that cannot be readily integrated. By revealing how global youth negotiate local and global values, this study pushes forward the scientific understanding of biculturalism in contexts of rapid cultural change.
Cultural Defeat of the Far Right in Modern America

During the turbulent 2016 U.S. Presidential Election many far-right groups and personalities rose to prominence through alternative media sources, becoming outspoken voices in mainstream political discourse. Many were surprised by their growth in popularity and questioned how they developed their political beliefs, several of which seemed antithetical to “traditional” American values. In this paper, I will explore the origins of the numerous myths from which far-right voters base their ideology and I will attempt to connect them to the formation of political groups, such as the Proud Boys, as a result of Donald Trump’s campaign for the Presidential Election of 2016. I will also determine how internet platforms affect the cultivation and transmission of these foundational myths. Editors' Note: the PDF of this article was removed at the author's request on 7 August 2020.
Strategies for Effective Assessments while Ensuring Academic Integrity in General Chemistry Courses during COVID-19

Effective assessment is an extremely important area of chemistry education. Typically tests measure students’ knowledge of critical thinking skills, chemistry vocabulary, and application of concepts from one chapter to another. While it is relatively straightforward to measure concepts such as chemical vocabulary and algorithmic problem solving during a regular session with paper-pencil based testing, an online test with no proctoring presents significant challenges to test administration. In the COVID-19 term, when instruction moved online, it was imperative that the authenticity of the tests administered to students was maintained, irrespective of an institution’s choice to allow students to select credit/noncredit or pass/fail options. This communication describes some of the challenges faced during online testing and some of the strategies implemented to successfully overcome them.
Close-Up-Ness: Masks, Screens, and Cells

The pandemic reshapes not only our habits, but also our environment. It does so by supporting the creation of existential bubbles –often in the form of restrained cells– in which we shrink our range of action, but also in which we can feel safe. And it does so mostly thanks to two media that the pandemic brings to the fore and that deeply affect their users’ spatial perception: the mask and the screen. I will start from these media and their ability to remediate our usual spatial coordinates, and then conclude with the bubble and the cell as an increasingly mediated form of spatiality.
Behavior Analysis of Couples: Intimacy as a Vehicle for Change

Despite the demonstrated negative impact of relational distress on individual and family functioning, behavioral training programs seldom offer students specialized instruction in couple therapy. In this chapter, we provide a brief overview of an acceptance-based behavioral approach to couple therapy. First, we discuss the conceptual underpinnings of this approach. We provide behavioral conceptualizations of both acceptance and intimacy and discuss their role in facilitating therapeutic change. Next, we explore three therapeutic tools for achieving acceptance and intimacy: uncovering soft emotions, identifying patterns, and clarifying understandable reasons. We then address several therapeutic considerations particular to couple work. Finally, we explore ethical, training, and licensing requirements relevant to work with couples.
Personal Financial Management Behaviour of Lower Income People in Batticaloa District

Personal financial management behavior is considered one of the key concepts in the financial discipline. The present study is aimed to identify the factors affecting the personal financial management behavior of lower-income people. There are four variables used in this study namely, financial knowledge, financial attitude, and external locus of control (independent variable), and personal financial management behavior (dependent variable). The primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 360 lower-income people located in Manmunai North Division of Batticaloa. The collected data were analyzed by using univariate and regression analysis. Based on the finding of the study, it concludes that there is a low level of financial knowledge and financial attitude and a high level of external locus of control. On other hand, the level of personal financial management behavior among lower-income people indicates the lower level. Factors such as financial knowledge and financial attitude have a significant and positive effect on lower-income peoples’ personal financial management behavior while external locus of control significantly and negatively affects personal financial management behavior of lower-income people in Manmunai North Divisional Secretariat Area.
O-024 Robotic-assisted neuroangiography: feasibility and technical note of initial experience

Background Preliminary experiences of robotic assisted neuroendovascular interventions have been recently reported. We aim to describe the feasibility and our initial experience of robotic-assisted neuroangiography for diagnosis and treatment planning. Objective To discuss our initial experience, feasibility and technical note in our early experience with the use of the CorPath GRX robotic-assisted technology for neuroendovascular procedures, including transfemoral, transradial and distal transradial diagnostic neuroangiograms. Methods Single-center technical report of the first forty-four consecutive cases of robtic assisted diagnostic neuroangiography using the CorPath GRX Robotic System (Corindus Inc, Waltham, MA) from October 2020 through February 2021. Results 43 diagnostic neuroangiographies were planned. In 38 cases, at least 1 vessel was selected and studied using the CorPath GRX robotic-assisted technology, in two cases the neuroangiography was completed by switching to manual, allowing for 36 diagnostic neuroangiograms to be fully completed as planned using the CorPath GRX robotic-assisted technology. In five (11%) cases, the robot was setup but it was either not used due to a change in plans, or inability to select at least one single vessel as planned. In one case, failure was due to defective cassette and in another case due to communication error between joystick and robotic arm. [NK1] The mean of number or vessels successfully selected and studied using robotic assisted neuroangiography was 4.1 (ranging from 1 to 7 for cerebral angiograms, and 22 for one spinal angiogram). No complications were reported as result of the use the CorPath GRX robotic technology to perform neuroangiograms. The mean fluoroscopy time for the 23 cerebral angiograms was 16.5 minutes [8.9 - 27.2 minutes], and the mean radiation exposure to the patients was 63.1 Gy/cm2[30.3 - 105 Gy/cm2]. [NK2] Catheterization failures involved mostly wire slipping and catheter slipping. Simmon-2 shape catheter were did not pose a particular challenge when being formed. Our group quickly learned that the V18 was the microwire of choice as well the 5F Terumo XP version of each catheter tip shape to maximize catheterization success. An additional 0.018’ companion wire was used successfully for additional support when advancing 6F guide sheaths from the aortic arch into the innominate artery and common carotid artery. Conclusions We describe our initial experience of the CorPath GRX system (Corindus) to navigate the arch and great vessels, and in 1 case the spinal segmental vessels in patients as clinically indicated. We also demonstrated the feasibility of completing the diagnostic portion of our planned endovascular embolization cases, thus minimizing radiation exposure and the need to wear apron lead to the operators. Disclosures L. Ponce Mejia: None.
Cap and Trade Modeling in Electricity Markets Using an Agent-Based Approach

An agent-based approach is proposed in this book chapter to analyze interactions between the emission and electricity markets. A cap-and-trade system is assumed to be in place to regulate emissions from power generation. Generation companies are modeled as adaptive learning agents that can bid strategically into the electricity market by a Q-learning algorithm. These companies also participate in allowances trading in the emission market by adjusting their own allowances positions. In the simulation, generation companies can value their generation capacity and available allowances to maximize their profits. Three different trading strategies are modeled to mimic the decision-making process of generation companies. This modeling framework can help design a sound emission market by simulating market scenarios with different policies. It can also be used to investigate the operation strategies for generation companies in such an environment.
Peptide Mimicry of Streptococcal Group A Carbohydrate

This chapter explores the immunochemical relationships, as defined by antibodies, between the cell wall polysaccharide of Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococci) and peptides. It provides basic information on the structure and immunobiology of the streptococcal cell wall polysaccharide (group A carbohydrate [GAC]). Following comments on the nature of molecular mimicry in general, an overview of prior studies on the cross-reactions between GAC and epitopes on host structures is provided. The next two sections review studies of antibody cross-reactivity between GAC and peptides either that correspond in amino acid sequence to host proteins or that are derived from combinatorial peptide libraries. Molecular analysis of human monoclonal antibodies cross-reactive with N-acetyl-β-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) and peptides revealed that they used a variety of variable-region genes and exhibited little evidence of antigen-driven somatic mutations. It remains unknown if GlcNAc-specific antibodies are pathogenic and, if so, what structural features predispose the antibodies to pathogenicity. Researchers used the phage-display approach to investigate peptide mimicry of GAC with respect to five GAC-specific monoclonal antibodies, including the murine monoclonal antibody HGAC 39.G3. This antibody (IgG3, kappa chain) was generated with the group A vaccine (GAV; heat-killed, pepsin-treated S. pyogenes) as the immunogen and has specificity for the GlcNAc residues of group A carbohydrate.
Elevated pulmonary pressure: A novel risk marker in kidney disease?

Pulmonary hypertension is associated with adverse cardiac outcomes and death in the general population. Bolignano and colleagues studied the prevalence of higher estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (≥35 mm Hg) assessed using echocardiogram among patients with stage 1–4 chronic kidney disease. They further examined the associations of higher pulmonary pressures with a composite cardiovascular outcome. These findings suggest the potential role of pulmonary arterial systolic pressure as a risk marker in those with chronic kidney disease.
Purification using high pressure molten aluminum

A novel technique has been developed to separate eutectic forming elements using a continuous supply of high pressure molten aluminum. In this continuous process, enriched liquid in the mushy zone is selectively expelled from the solidifying mold through a permeable membrane. The fraction of expelled liquid and the level of purification attained can be controlled in real time. Applications of this technique for refining smelter grade aluminum as well as recycling aluminum scrap are being explored. Unique aspects and advantages of the process will be discussed.
A cannula-based computational fluorescence microscope for neuronal imaging

We applied nonlinear optimization to convert a cannula into a high-resolution computational-fluorescence microscope. The microscope was used to image fluorescent microspheres, genetically-encoded mouse-brain slices, genetically-encoded and fluorescent-stained C. elegans nematodes (both living and dead animals).
Is carotid body denervation the silver bullet for heart failure

The carotid body chemoreceptors are traditionally viewed as the body's primary oxygen sensors. Activation of the carotid body chemoreceptors in response to a fall in arterial oxygen levels results in reflex increases in both ventilation and sympathetic nervous system activity. Additionally, a growing body of experimental evidence in both animals and humans supports a role for the carotid body chemoreceptors in the pathophysiology of several sympathoexcitatory conditions such as hypertension, sleep apnoea and congestive heart failure (CHF). Consistent with this idea, in a recent issue of The Journal Physiology, Marcus and colleagues (Marcus et al. 2013) confirmed that the carotid body chemoreceptors play a central role in CHF pathophysiology. Expanding on their previous experiments in rats (Del Rio et al. 2013), Marcus et al. induced CHF in a group of rabbits through ventricular pacing and examined the effect of carotid body denervation on ventilation, autonomic nervous system activity and markers of cardiac function. Remarkably, only 9 days after denervation, a number of ventilatory, autonomic and cardiac function variables commonly impaired in CHF were improved. These results raise several important questions regarding the contribution of the carotid body chemoreceptors to CHF pathophysiology: how does carotid body denervation initiate improvements in CHF; what is the link between the carotid body chemoreceptors and cardiac function in CHF; could carotid body denervation replace traditional therapeutic strategies for CHF?