cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of Endothelin in the Increased Vascular Tone of Patients With Essential Hypertension

Abstract —We investigated the possible role of endothelin in the increased vasoconstrictor tone of hypertensive patients using antagonists of endothelin receptors. Forearm blood flow (FBF) responses (strain-gauge plethysmography) to intraarterial infusion of blockers of endothelin-A (ETA) (BQ-123) and endothelin-B (ETB) (BQ-788) receptors, separately and in combination, were measured in hypertensive patients and normotensive control subjects. In healthy subjects, BQ-123 alone or in combination with BQ-788 did not significantly modify FBF ( P =0.78 and P =0.63, respectively). In hypertensive patients, in contrast, BQ-123 increased FBF by 33±7% ( P <0.001 versus baseline), and the combination of BQ-123 and BQ-788 resulted in a greater vasodilator response (63±12%; P =0.006 versus BQ-123 alone in the same subjects). BQ-788 produced a divergent vasoactive effect in the two groups, with a decrease of FBF (17±5%; P =0.004 versus baseline) in control subjects and transient vasodilation (15±7% after 20 minutes) in hypertensive patients ( P <0.001, hypertensives versus controls). The vasoconstrictor response to endothelin-1 was slightly higher ( P =0.04) in hypertensive patients (46±4%) than in control subjects (32±4%). Our data indicate that patients with essential hypertension have increased vascular endothelin activity, which may be of pathophysiological relevance to their increased vascular tone. In these patients, nonselective ETA and ETB blockade seems to produce a greater vasodilator effect than selective ETA blockade.
Segregation of Heterogeneous Units in a Swarm of Robotic Agents

There are several examples in natural systems that exhibit the self-organizing behavior of segregation when different types of units interact with each other. One of the best examples is a system of biological cells of heterogeneous types that has the ability to self-organize into specific formations, form different types of organs and, ultimately, develop into a living organism. Previous research in this area has indicated that such segregations in biological cells and tissues are made possible because of the differences in adhesivity between various types of cells or tissues. Inspired by this differential adhesivity model, this technical note presents a decentralized approach utilizing differential artificial potential to achieve the segregation behavior in a swarm of heterogeneous robotic agents. The method is based on the proposition that agents experience different magnitudes of potential while interacting with agents of different types. Stability analysis of the system with the proposed approach in the Lyapunov sense is carried out in this technical note. Extensive simulations and analytical investigations suggest that the proposed method would lead a population of two types of agents to a segregated configuration.
Quasi-Static and Dynamic Compressive Behaviors of a S-2 Glass/SC15 Composite

A pulse-shaped split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) was employed to determine the dynamic compressive mechanical responses and failure behaviors of a S-2 glass/SC15 composite along two perpendicular directions under valid dynamic testing conditions. The loading pulses in SHPB experiments were precisely controlled to ensure that the composite specimen deforms at a nearly constant strain rate under dynamically equilibrated stress during dynamic compression. Quasi-static experiments were conducted with an MTS and an Instron to study material rate sensitivity over a wider range. The compressive stress-strain behaviors along both directions were found to be strain-rate sensitive, but with different strain-rate sensitivities. A compressive constitutive model with strain-rate and damage effects was modified to accurately describe both quasi-static and dynamic compressive stress-strain behaviors of the composite material along the two perpendicular directions.
Sacrificing Reliability for Energy Saving: Is it worthwhile for disk arrays?

Mainstream energy conservation schemes for disk arrays inherently affect the reliability of disks. A thorough understanding of the relationship between energy saving techniques and disk reliability is still an open problem, which prevents effective design of new energy saving techniques and application of existing approaches in reliability-critical environments. As one step towards solving this problem, this paper presents an empirical reliability model, called Predictor of Reliability for Energy Saving Schemes (PRESS). Fed by three energy-saving-related reliability-affecting factors, operating temperature, utilization, and disk speed transition frequency, PRESS estimates the reliability of entire disk array. Further, a new energy saving strategy with reliability awareness called Reliability and Energy Aware Distribution (READ) is developed in the light of the insights provided by PRESS. Experimental results demonstrate that compared with existing energy saving schemes, MAID and PDC, READ consistently performs better in performance and reliability while achieving a comparable level of energy consumption.
Playground injuries in children: a review and Pennsylvania Trauma Center experience.

ISSUES AND PURPOSE: To describe patient demographics, injury characteristics, and circumstances of playground injuries in children admitted to Pennsylvania trauma centers and to identify injury prevention strategies. DESIGN AND METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive study of 234 children ages 1 to 18 years sustaining playground-related injuries and whose hospital data were entered into the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study. RESULTS: Most of the injuries occurred between April and September (77%), and noon to 6 P.M. (69%). Falls from playground equipment constituted the highest proportion of incidents (73%). Of 421 injuries (M = 1.8/patient), most were upper extremity (n = 117) and head (n = 110) injuries. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses can advocate for playground safety by teaching children to play safely and recommending age-appropriate equipment and protective surfacing. Language: en
Back to Class Helping High‐Risk Moms Cope With Hospitalization

Pregnancy is typically viewed as a normal, joyous time for families. Most expectant parents have reasonable assumptions that the pregnancy will progress smoothly from conception through birth and the eventual homecoming with the newborn (Snyder, 1979). However, for high-risk antepartum patients and their families, that Norman Rockwell-like scenario may be interrupted by long hospital stays, confinements to bed rest, and complications before the baby's birth. Providing care for these families offers both a challenge and an opportunity for perinatal nurses.
Transient response of a tubular reactor to upsets in flow rate

This study concerns the transient response of a tubular reactor in which a second-order reaction takes place under isothermal conditions. The reaction studied was the saponification of methyl acetate with sodium hydroxide. Experimental data were obtained in a tubular reactor for flow upsets. Theoretical models using residence time distribution (RTD) techniques have been developed. The study was conducted at 36°C. The reactor was a 13-ft. long, ¼-in. diam. copper tube in the form of a spiral with a volume of 110 cc. The agreement obtained between the experimental data and the RTD model predictions was good, verifying that this model is satisfactory for simulation of tubular reactor dynamics. Backmixing was observed in the reactor. This nonideality was accounted for empirically in the RTD model, since backmixing was observed to be mainly a function of flow rate.
Gonadotrophin-Inhibitory hormone receptor expression in the chicken pituitary gland: Potential influence of sexual maturation and ovarian steroids

Gonadotrophin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH), a hypothalamic RFamide, has been found to inhibit gonadotrophin secretion from the anterior pituitary gland originally in birds and, subsequently, in mammalian species. The gene encoding a transmembrane receptor for GnIH (GnIHR) was recently identified in the brain, pituitary gland and gonads of song bird, chicken and Japanese quail. The objectives of the present study are to characterise the expression of GnIHR mRNA and protein in the chicken pituitary gland, and to determine whether sexual maturation and gonadal steroids influence pituitary GnIHR mRNA abundance. GnIHR mRNA quantity was found to be significantly higher in diencephalon compared to either anterior pituitary gland or ovaries. GnIHR mRNA quantity was significantly higher in the pituitaries of sexually immature chickens relative to sexually mature chickens. Oestradiol or a combination of oestradiol and progesterone treatment caused a significant decrease in pituitary GnIHR mRNA quantity relative to vehicle controls. GnIHR-immunoreactive (ir) cells were identified in the chicken pituitary gland cephalic and caudal lobes. Furthermore, GnIHR-ir cells were found to be colocalised with luteinising hormone (LH)b mRNA-, or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)b mRNA-containing cells. GnIH treatment significantly decreased LH release from anterior pituitary gland slices collected from sexually immature, but not from sexually mature chickens. Taken together, GnIHR gene expression is possibly down regulated in response to a surge in circulating oestradiol and progesterone levels as the chicken undergoes sexual maturation to allow gonadotrophin secretion. Furthermore, GnIHR protein expressed in FSHb or LHb mRNA-containing cells is likely to mediate the inhibitory effect of GnIH on LH and FSH secretion.
Domestic Violence Against Women of Japanese Descent in Los Angeles Two Methods of Estimating Prevalence

Using a more inclusive, culturally responsive measure, this population-based study of women of Japanese descent contrasts two methods of estimating prevalence of domestic violence. Eighty percent of respondents reported experiencing a male partner's violence during their lifetimes—a conventional estimation. A new method took into account the respondent's perceptions about the partner's acts—whether she considered her partner's behavior abusive and placed it within the context of an abusive relationship—and yielded the lifetime prevalence of 61%. Attention to culturally based manifestations of domestic violence and the respondent's perceptions provide additional dimensions of data grounded in women's subjective experiences.
Not Getting Their Money's Worth: African-American Disadvantages in Converting Income, Wealth, and Education into Residential Quality

Previous research has established that racial/ethnic residential inequalities in the United States are due to a combination of resource disadvantage and discrimination. This article builds upon past work by using a new dependent variable (census tract median housing value), examining the effects of wealth, and including interactions between race/ethnicity and resources. The authors find that the Black—White gap in neighborhood quality is explained by the combination of Blacks’ relative disadvantage in resources and the smaller benefits they gain from having those resources. In contrast, Latinos who are not recent immigrants are similar to Whites in both neighborhood quality and their ability to translate resources into residential quality.
Systemintegration der energiewirtschaftlichen Wertschöpfungsprozesse

Zum Einstieg zeige ich einen kleinen Werbetrailer, der in den USA aktuell anlauft. Der Trailer ist auf You Tube unter folgendem Link verfagbar: http://de.youtube. om/watch?v=kL1JP2T7x4k
Children with Craniofacial Syndromes

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is common in children with craniofacial anomalies, particularly in children with syndromal craniofacial synostosis associated with midfacial hypoplasia, micrognathia, muscular hypotonia, brain stem compression (achondroplasia), and/or deformation of the cranial base. These anomalies lead to a decrease in the size of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, or hypopharynx and can predispose the pharynx to collapse during sleep. Increased airway resistance secondary to adenotonsillar hypertrophy is the leading cause of secondary OSAS in these children. This chapter discusses the anatomy and dynamic characteristics of the upper airway during sleep to aid the understanding of sleep apnea syndrome.
Polarization of Cosmic-Ray μ Mesons: Experiment

This paper describes an experimental determination of the polarization of low-energy cosmic-ray $\ensuremath{\mu}$ mesons at sea level. A brass plate was placed in a horizontal position inside a magnetic solenoid. Particles which arrived from directions near the vertical and stopped in the plate were detected by a coincidence-anticoincidence counter telescope. Stopped negative $\ensuremath{\mu}$ mesons were destroyed by nuclear capture. Stopped positive $\ensuremath{\mu}$ mesons decayed into electrons which were detected by delayed coincidence counters placed above and below the plate. The upward and downward fluxes of the decay electrons leaving the absorber were measured alternately with and without a depolarizing magnetic field. The results of the measurements demonstrate that (1) cosmic-ray $\ensuremath{\mu}$ mesons are polarized, (2) the ratio between the downward fluxes of electrons from the decay of $\ensuremath{\mu}$ mesons stopped in a brass plate with and without a depolarizing magnetic field is 1.052\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.016, and (3) the indicated polarization of stopped positive $\ensuremath{\mu}$ mesons is 0.19\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06 if the data are interpreted according to the two-component neutrino theory of $\ensuremath{\mu}$-meson decay. The results are consistent with theoretical predictions based on the production spectrum of $\ensuremath{\pi}$ mesons as found in other experiments.
The Welles Mission to Europe, February–March 1940: Illusion or Realism?

1HE winter of 1939-1940 was a period of deep anxiety both for belligerents and for neutrals. While in many countries the long weeks of military disengagement nourished popular hopes of peace before spring, the governments of the warring nations continued apace their mobilization for the anticipated confrontation. In this atmosphere of international doubt and apprehension it was only natural that conjecture would immediately envelop President Franklin Roosevelt's announcement on February 9 that he was dispatching Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles on a tour of Rome, Berlin, London, and Paris "solely for the purpose of advising the President and the secretary of state as to present conditions in Europe."' The standard and most detailed account of this revealing episode in Rooseveltian diplomacy is found in the study by William L. Langer and S. Everett Gleason. They agree that the mission is revealing; indeed, the Welles trip is central to their thesis regarding American foreign policy during the "phony war." They see the mission as a function of illusions in Washington, presumably about the war aims of the belligerents. The Welles journey, they argue, demonstrated "more clearly than any of its antecedents the illusions prevalent in this country in the final weeks of the phony war...." Not only did Roosevelt want to make a "supreme effort to penetrate the veil of uncertainty" across Europe, but "a major objective of the Welles Mission [was] to explore peace possibilities even with a Nazi Government." Other historians, domestic and foreign, have accepted the essentials of this argument.2
The Outcome of Hypofractionated Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Large Vestibular Schwannomas.

Objectives Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for large vestibular schwannomas (VS) remains controversial. We studied the tumor local control and toxicity rates after hypofractionated SRS for VS > 3 cm. Methods A total of 587 patients with VS treated with SRS between 1998 and 2014 were reviewed retrospectively, and 30 Koos grade IV VSs were identified. There were 6 patients with neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2), 8 with cystic tumors, 22 with solid tumors, 19 who underwent primary CyberKnife (CK), and 11 with >3 cm after previous resection. Patients were treated by a median of 3 fractions at 18 Gy. Results After a median 97 months, the 3- and 10-year Kaplan-Meier estimates of local control were 85% and 80%, respectively, with 20% requiring salvage treatment. For patients who had previous tumor resection rather than primary CK, the estimates were 46% and 5%, respectively, with progression, and 3-year control rates of 71% and 94% ( P = 0.008). Tumor control was also lower among NF2 versus non-NF2 patients (40% vs. 95%; P = 0.0014). Among patients with good clinical baselines before CK, 88% were functionally independent (modified Rankin Scale score, 0–2), 88% had good facial function (House-Brackmann grade I–II), and 38% had serviceable hearing (Gardner-Robertson grade I–II) at last follow-up. Hearing worsening was more likely among patients treated with primary CK (33% vs. 90%; P = 0.04). Conclusions Overall, 80% of large VSs were adequately controlled by CK with 97 months of median follow-up. Patients with previous surgery and NF2 also appeared to have higher rates of tumor progression, and less favorable functional outcomes.
Imaging of Submarine Landslides with Wide-Swath Sonar

Avalanche scars, landslide scree and debris flow tongues have been imaged in plan view on the continental slope of the western margin of the North Atlantic. Their detection and mapping has been accomplished with a tethered deep-ocean side-scan sonar having a swath width of 5 km. The sonar was constructed to search for and locate the wreck of the S. S. TITANIC (Wilford, 1980). We have subsequently used it in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey to explore the continental slope of New England and the mid-Atlantic margin of the United States (Robb et al., 1981, a, b; McGreggor et al., 1981).
Pyspatiotemporalgeom: a python library for spatiotemporal types and operations

The Pyspatiotemporalgeom library is a pure-python library implementing spatial data types, spatiotemporal data types for moving regions, and operations to create and analyze those types. The library is available on the Python Package Index (PyPI) and has been downloaded over 18,000 times since its release. In this paper, we demonstrate mechanisms to create random spatial data and perform operations over them. We then show how to create moving regions from existing data, and demonstrate aggregate operations over moving regions.
Transgenic miR156 Switchgrass in the Field: Growth, Recalcitrance and Rust Susceptibility

Summary Sustainable utilization of lignocellulosic perennial grass feedstocks will be enabled by high biomass production and optimized cell wall chemistry for efficient conversion into biofuels. MicroRNAs are regulatory elements that modulate the expression of genes involved in various biological functions in plants, including growth and development. In greenhouse studies, overexpressing a microRNA (miR156) gene in switchgrass had dramatic effects on plant architecture and flowering, which appeared to be driven by transgene expression levels. High expressing lines were extremely dwarfed, whereas low and moderate expressing lines had higher biomass yields, improved sugar release, and delayed flowering. Four lines with moderate or low miR156 overexpression from the prior greenhouse study were selected for a field experiment to assess the relationship between miR156 expression and biomass production over three years. We also analyzed important bioenergy feedstock traits such as flowering, disease resistance, cell wall chemistry, and biofuel production. Phenotypes of the transgenic lines were inconsistent between the greenhouse and the field as well as among different field growing seasons. One low expressing transgenic line consistently produced more biomass (25-56%) than the control across all three seasons, which translated to the production of 30% more biofuel per plant during the final season. The other three transgenic lines produced less biomass than the control by the final season, and the two lines with moderate expression levels also exhibited altered disease susceptibilities. Results of this study emphasize the importance of performing multi-year field studies for plants with altered regulatory transgenes that target plant growth and development. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Molecular and Microenvironmental Determinants of Glioma Stem-Like Cell Survival and Invasion.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequent primary brain tumor in adults with a 5-year survival rate of 5% despite intensive research efforts. The poor prognosis is due, in part, to aggressive invasion into the surrounding brain parenchyma. Invasion is a complex process mediated by cell-intrinsic pathways, extrinsic microenvironmental cues, and biophysical cues from the peritumoral stromal matrix. Recent data has attributed GBM invasion to the glioma stem-like cell (GSC) sub-population. GSCs are slowly dividing, highly invasive, therapy resistant, and are considered to give rise to tumor recurrence. GSCs are localized in a heterogeneous cellular niche and crosstalk between stromal cells and GSCs cultivates a fertile environment that promotes GSC invasion. Pro-migratory soluble factors from endothelial cells, astrocytes, macrophages, microglia, and non-stem-like tumor cells can stimulate peritumoral invasion of GSCs. Therefore, therapeutic efforts designed to target the invasive GSCs may enhance patient survival. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of extrinsic pathways and major stromal and immune players facilitating GSC maintenance and survival.
Ellul's Technological Imperative Reconsidered

In light of recent advances, I reconsider Jacques Ellul's technological imperative in which he places technology in a broad framework of “technique” (including but not limited to machines) meaning ...
Status of Undergraduate Education in Range Science in the USA

Undergraduate range science programs are being evaluated and modified in an effort to keep the range science major relevant to the needs of future natural resource managers on rangelands. A questionnaire was sent to 28 universities and colleges with range programs in the western 17 states. Information requested pertained to job placement, undergraduate student numbers, course requirements, program goals, and obstacles to range undergraduate education. For universities as a whole, the decline in numbers of range students since the 1960s has stabilized and student numbers are projected to increase at a few institutions. Most range programs, however, have low student numbers with fewer than 10 graduates per year. Between 1997 and 2001, about 50% of range graduates in the western 11 states were hired by federal agencies, whereas about 25% of the graduates from the six Great Plains’ states were employed by federal agencies. About 55% of Great Plains’ graduates found jobs in the private sector with environmental consulting and the ranching industry being the primary employers. Although most faculty representatives reported good job opportunities in range management, current student numbers are low compared with that of the1960s. Surveys suggested that low numbers are caused by poor student awareness of rangelands, a misconception that range science is simply another agriculture production major, and competing curricula in natural resource sciences and other areas. The viability of range programs at most universities is being challenged because student numbers largely dictate administrative support of undergraduate programs in the current competitive academic environment.
The Spanish Austerity

The Spanish debt crisis was caused by a housing bubble triggered by the 2008 financial crisis. In 2008, Spain enjoyed prosperity, had a budget surplus and a flourishing tourist industry. Spain tried first to stimulate the economy but failed, in part, because of a loss in consumer confidence, bank failures and declining tourism. An austerity plan was then implemented. This caused a recession that lasted six years, increased unemployment from less than 10% in 2007 to 30% in 2013, increased youth unemployment from 17% to 55%, forced the poorest 10% to lose 13% of their real incomes each year between 2007 and 2011, and also raised the debt to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio from 36% in 2007 to 117% in 2017, from $470 to $1460 billion.
Source-sink interactions lead to atypical reproductive stage phosphorus deficiency symptoms on the upper foliage of Capsicum annuum and Chrysanthemum × morifolium.

Abstract Phosphorus (P) restriction has become more prevalent in floriculture production to control growth and reduce fertilizer waste. With low P fertilization practices, growers are more likely to develop P deficiency in their crops. Symptoms of a reproductive stage P deficiency were reported in which symptomology occurs on the foliage directly below the flowers or fruit. To induce and describe these symptoms, ornamental peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) and chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum ×morifolium Ramat.) were grown initially with P fertilization, but half the plants were later restricted to 0 mg L−1 P upon floral initiation. Plants that were P restricted developed symptoms of chlorosis, olive green spotting, and necrosis on the upper foliage below the reproductive structures, while central foliage remained asymptomatic. ‘Crystal Misty Purple’ chrysanthemums developed unique symptoms of upper leaf purpling. Phosphorus movement within the plant was quantified via tissue division and analysis. The highest tissue P concentrations were in the flowers or fruit for both species, regardless of symptoms. Up to 80% of the total P in aboveground tissues was in the flowers and fruit of symptomatic plants. Vegetative tissue P concentrations were significantly lower in symptomatic plants compared to the asymptomatic controls, indicating that large quantities of P were translocated from vegetative tissues to the developing reproductive tissues. Remobilized P from the lower tissues appeared to bypass the upper foliage in favor of the flowers and fruit. Thus, the developing upper foliage was deprived of P, leading to P deficiency symptoms due to competition with the maturing flowers and fruit.
The Classroom as a Courtroom

Using the metaphor of the classroom as a courtroom promotes insights regarding our school system. For example, in the courtroom, act severity and the presence or absence of a ‘guilty mind’ determine criminal sentencing. In a similar manner, in the classroom, the respective determinants of performance evaluation are exam score and the presence or absence of effort expenditure. In addition, the purposes of courtroom punishment (utilitarian and retributive) can also be observed in classroom settings and pupil impression management strategies concerning why they performed poorly can be viewed as attempts to communicate mitigating circumstances so that their punishment is lessened. Some additional consequences of this ill-fated metaphor are also examined.
Kinetoplast-Mitochondrial Translation System in Trypanosomatids

The mitochondrial translation system in trypanosomatids is unique in many ways. There is extensive post-transcriptional editing of its mRNAs, and its ribosomes are among those that contain the smallest sized RNAs but the largest number of proteins. Obvious questions in this field are: (i) how and if these ribosomes distinguish between the pre- and post-edited mRNAs?; (ii) do the mRNA editing machinery, also referred to as the editosome, and the ribosome interact during early stages of translation initiation to facilitate the mRNA recruitment to the ribosomal small subunit?; and (iii) how are these ribosomes structured and assembled? This review article touches each of the above questions, by providing some historical accounts, current understanding, and challenges associated with studying this system.
Economic Globalization and Gender

Interest in economic globalization and gender began with the Women in Development (WID) approach of the 1970s. WID made women's roles in the so-called developing countries visible, but focused on individuals and fostering change within existing structures. It was critiqued by the Gender and Development approach (GAD), which emphasized the way unequal power relations between the genders are institutionalized throughout society. In the 1990s, the discourse shifted to understanding the gendered impacts of economic globalization, which involved the increasingly capitalistic processes occurring across most countries. Feminist scholars and activists are developing a broader understanding of the systemic linkages among the global expansion of capitalist production, trade, and finance (each of which has impacts that differ by gender) on the one hand, and the increase of women in informal sector work, rising female poverty, and higher levels of female migration on the other hand. Using interdisciplinary analyses, they have developed new concepts and methodologies that challenge orthodox approaches, transforming or supplanting them with alternative paradigms. Newer concepts such as caring labor or the gendered nature of risk, respectively, have een introduced to more fully understand women's socio-economic roles and the insecurities created by globalization. Methodologies include multi-level analyses (ranging from the household to the international level), comparative case studies (showing how the gendered effects of globalization differ by race/ethnicity, class, age, sector, and region), and the construction of broader indicators (measuring women's well-being, security, and participation in economic, political, and social life). Increasingly, women from the developing countries are shaping the questions asked and the activist endeavors undertaken. A focus on gender and globalization has given activists added impetus to maintain pressure on international institutions to systematically incorporate these newer concepts and methods as well as innovative strategies such as gender budgeting into their development planning and programs. It has fostered wider use of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), not only for local action but increasingly for organizing at national, regional, or international levels.
Exploratory analysis using machine learning to predict for chest wall pain in patients with stage I non-small-cell lung cancer treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy

Author(s): Chao, Hann-Hsiang; Valdes, Gilmer; Luna, Jose M; Heskel, Marina; Berman, Abigail T; Solberg, Timothy D; Simone, Charles B | Abstract: Background and purposeChest wall toxicity is observed after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for peripherally located lung tumors. We utilize machine learning algorithms to identify toxicity predictors to develop dose-volume constraints.Materials and methodsTwenty-five patient, tumor, and dosimetric features were recorded for 197 consecutive patients with Stage I NSCLC treated with SBRT, 11 of whom (5.6%) developed CTCAEv4 grade ≥2 chest wall pain. Decision tree modeling was used to determine chest wall syndrome (CWS) thresholds for individual features. Significant features were determined using independent multivariate methods. These methods incorporate out-of-bag estimation using Random forests (RF) and bootstrapping (100 iterations) using decision trees.ResultsUnivariate analysis identified rib dose to 1nccnln4000ncGy (Pn=n0.01), chest wall dose to 30nccnln1900ncGy (Pn=n0.035), rib Dmaxnln5100ncGy (Pn=n0.05) and lung dose to 1000nccnln70ncGy (Pn=n0.039) to be statistically significant thresholds for avoiding CWS. Subsequent multivariate analysis confirmed the importance of rib dose to 1ncc, chest wall dose to 30ncc, and rib Dmax. Using learning-curve experiments, the dataset proved to be self-consistent and provides a realistic model for CWS analysis.ConclusionsUsing machine learning algorithms in this first of its kind study, we identify robust features and cutoffs predictive for the rare clinical event of CWS. Additional data in planned subsequent multicenter studies will help increase the accuracy of multivariate analysis.
Five-year Long-term Outcomes of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Operable Versus Medically Inoperable Stage I Non-small-cell Lung Cancer: Analysis by Operability, Fractionation Regimen, Tumor Size, and Tumor Location.

Abstract Background Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is standard for medically inoperable stage I non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is emerging as a surgical alternative in operable patients. However, limited long-term outcomes data exist, particularly according to operability. We hypothesized long-term local control (LC) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) would not differ by fractionation schedule, tumor size or location, or operability status, but overall survival (OS) would be higher for operable patients. Patients and Methods All consecutive patients with stage I (cT1-2aN0M0) NSCLC treated with SBRT from June 2009 to July 2013 were assessed. Thoracic surgeon evaluation determined operability. Local failure was defined as growth following initial tumor shrinkage or progression on consecutive scans. LC, CSS, and OS were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results A total of 186 patients (204 lesions) were analyzed. Most patients were inoperable (82%) with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 1 (59%) or 2 (26%). All lesions received biological effective doses ≥ 100 Gy most commonly (94%) in 3 to 5 fractions. The median follow-up was 4.0 years. LC at 2 and 5 years were 95.6% (95% confidence interval, 92%-99%) and 93.7% (95% confidence interval, 90%-98%), respectively. Compared with operable patients, inoperable patients did not have significant differences in 5-year LC (93.1% vs. 96.7%; P = .49), nodal failure (31.4% vs. 11.0%; P = .12), distant failure (12.2% vs. 10.4%; P = .98), or CSS (80.6% vs. 91.0%; P = .45) but trended towards worse OS (34.2% vs. 45.3%; P = .068). Tumor size, location, and fractionation did not significantly influence outcomes. Conclusions SBRT has excellent, durable LC and CSS rates for early-stage NSCLC, although inoperable patients had somewhat lower OS than operable patients, likely owing to greater comorbidities.
Finding a Place for Networks in Archaeology

Formal network analyses have a long history in archaeology but have recently seen a rapid florescence. Network models drawing on approaches from graph theory, social network analysis, and complexity science have been used to address a broad array of questions about the relationships among network structure, positions, and the attributes and outcomes for individuals and larger groups at a range of social scales. Current archaeological network research is both methodologically and theoretically diverse, but there are still many daunting challenges ahead for the formal exploration of social networks using archaeological data. If we can face these challenges, archaeologists are well positioned to contribute to long-standing debates in the broader sphere of network research on the nature of network theory, the relationships between networks and culture, and dynamics of social networks over the long term.
Mechanics of the Overhead Motion

The mechanics of the overhead motions have many similarities; however there are also many important details to each specific motion. Therefore the mechanics of the baseball pitch, tennis serve, and freestyle swimming motion will be covered in detail. Many new ideas and theories on the generation of energy and the identification of alterations among these motions will be discussed to aid clinicians in the evaluation process. This will allow clinicians to better understand injury mechanisms and treat these athletes with a more comprehensive approach.
Development of Chemo- and Enantioselective Palladium-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation of α-Nitroesters

We describe the development of a Pd-catalyzed decarboxylative asymmetric allylic alkylation of α-nitro allyl esters to afford acyclic tetrasubstituted nitroalkanes. Optimization of the reaction parameters revealed unique ligand and solvent combinations crucial for achieving chemo- and enantioselective C-alkylation of electronically challenging benzylic nitronates and sterically encumbered 2-allyl esters. Substrates were efficiently accessed in a combinatorial fashion by a cross-Claisen/ α-arylation sequence. The method provides functional group orthogonality that complements nucleophilic imine allylation strategies for α-tertiary amine synthesis.
Promoting persistence: Peer group influences on students’ re-engagement following academic problems and setbacks:

This study examined the role that peer groups play in shaping students’ academic re-engagement across their first year in middle school and whether influences are stronger from peers with whom stud...
Impact of Electrolyte Anions on the Adsorption of CO on Cu Electrodes

The electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to hydrocarbons and oxygenates on Cu electrodes proceeds through surface-adsorbed CO. The adsorption and desorption of this intermediate play a key ...
Reference Accuracy in Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport: A 30-Year Follow-Up to Stull et al. (1991)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the reference accuracy of articles from a random sample of issues from 1999, 2009, and 2019 of Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport (RQES). ...
Sprachenwahl und Identität in der Universität

In the following, a research project conducted by students will be presented. The project arose in the course of a linguistic seminar in which the topics “multilingualism and identity” were discussed at the University of Augsburg during the summer term 2018. First and foremost, the project examines the choice and usage of varieties by students at the Bavarian universities Augsburg, Regensburg and Passau. It focuses on which introspection the interviewed students have in connection with language choice and identity and which reasons they give.
hIPPYlib-MUQ: A Bayesian Inference Software Framework for Integration of Data with Complex Predictive Models under Uncertainty.

Bayesian inference provides a systematic means of quantifying uncertainty in the solution of the inverse problem. However, solution of Bayesian inverse problems governed by complex forward models described by partial differential equations (PDEs) remains prohibitive with black-box Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. We present hIPPYlib-MUQ, an extensible and scalable software framework that contains implementations of state-of-the art algorithms aimed to overcome the challenges of high-dimensional, PDE-constrained Bayesian inverse problems. hIPPYlib-MUQ integrates two complementary open-source software packages. hIPPYlib solves PDE-constrained inverse problems using automatically-generated adjoint-based derivatives, but it lacks full Bayesian capabilities. MUQ provides numerous powerful Bayesian inversion algorithms, but expects forward models to come equipped with derivatives to permit large-scale solution. By combining these two libraries, we created a robust, scalable, and efficient software framework that can be used to tackle complex large-scale Bayesian inverse problems across a broad spectrum of scientific and engineering disciplines. To illustrate the capabilities of hIPPYlib-MUQ, we compare a number of MCMC methods on several high-dimensional Bayesian inverse problems. The results demonstrate that large ($\sim 50\times$) speedups over conventional black box and gradient-based MCMC algorithms can be obtained by exploiting Hessian information (from the log-posterior), underscoring the power of the integrated hIPPYlib-MUQ framework.
Hydrologic Consequences of Rainfall Augmentation

Hydrologic effects of rainfall augmentation were studied using mathematical models for the digital computer to simulate rainfall augmentation and the hydrologic response of a watershed. A statistical model was developed to simulate percent increases in hourly precipitation, then the Stanford Watershed Model was used to calculate the streamflow, soil moisture and evapotranspiration. Calculations for three study watersheds were made using measured precipitation. Precipitation increased by 10%. Generalizations were developed relating the expected increases in streamflow and evapotranspiration to the natural precipitation and streamflow. Soil moisture increases averaged from 0.1 in. for dry watersheds to 0.5 in. for watersheds in wetter climates. Increases in the mean of the annual series of peak flows ranged from 8.5% to 76% and depend on the volumes of natural precipitation, surface runoff and interflow.
Balloon demonstrations of nuclear medicine procedures: A pictorial review for residents, referrers and patients

1245 Learning Objectives There are a variety of methods available for residents to learn about nuclear medicine procedures. We show how simple balloon models can be utilized to demonstrate a variety of nuclear medicine studies. They are 3 D models which help in the visualization and understanding. The balloon models can demonstrate the various nuclear medicine procedures, anatomy and various normal appearances as well as diseases and pathology. The balloons can be utilized for physician, student and patient education, and can help in patient understanding to obtain consents for various procedures. In a pictorial poster, we will demonstrate a variety of nuclear medicine procedures. In a pictorial poster review, we will show how simple balloon models can be utilized to demonstrate a variety of nuclear medicine examinations. The balloons can be utilized and created by residents which enhance learning by active participation. Various procedures will be demonstrated including a direct comparison with actual nuclear medicine images for correlation. We will demonstrate procedures, protocols, as well as normal and abnormal appearances. We will show how they can enhance resident and referrer education, and how they can be used for patient education and help in obtaining patient consents. We will demonstrate a variety of nuclear medicine procedures utilizing simple balloon models, including: -Lymphoscintigraphy for breast and melanoma -Meckel’s Diverticulum study -Cisternogram and VP shunt study -Captropril renal scan -Ioflupane for Evaluation of Parkinsons disease -Nuclear Cardiology Studies -Nuclear VCUG - Various other nuclear procedures.
Next‐generation Multidimensional NMR Spectrometer Based on Semiconductor Technology

We recently integrated all major functions – RF transmitter, RF receiver, and arbitrary pulse sequencer – of the conventionally bulky NMR spectrometer electronics into a fingertip-sized silicon chip and demonstrated various multidimensional NMR spectroscopy experiments with them, using various bio- and organic molecules. We envision that the size and cost economy of such integrated spectrometer chips can open up new exciting vistas in the science and technology of NMR. For example, high-throughput structural analysis of macromolecules can be enabled by operating a large number of the spectrometer chips in parallel inside a high-field superconducting magnet. For another example, online, on-site small-molecule analysis can be performed in a miniaturized, thus portable, platform that combines a spectrometer chip with a low-field compact permanent magnet. In this article, we will discuss the technical background and outlook of this recent synergy between semiconductor chip technology and NMR science. Keywords: NMR spectroscopy; multidimensional NMR spectroscopy; semiconductor; semiconductor chips; integrated circuits
Commissioning a 50–100 kV X-ray unit for skin cancer treatment

This study provides the authors' experience along with dosimetric data from the commissioning of two Sensus SRT-100 50-100 kV X-ray units. Data collected during the commissioning process included: a) HVL, b) output (dose rate), c) applicator cone factors, and d) percentage depth dose. A Farmer-type chamber (PTW-N23333), and a thin-window parallel plate ion chamber (PTW-N23342) were used for dose rate measurements and dose profiles were measured with EBT3 GafChromic film. The average HVL values for 50, 70, and 100 kV of the two treatment units were found to be 0.52, 1.15, and 2.20 mm Al, respectively. The HVL's were 5%-9% lower when measured with the Farmer chamber, as compared to measurements with the parallel plate chamber, for energies of 70 and 100 kV. Dose rates were also measured to be 3%-4% lower with the Farmer chamber. The dose rate variation between the two units was found to be 2%-9% for 50, 70, and 100 kV. The dose uniformity over a circle of 2 cm diameter was within 4% in four cardinal directions; however, the dose profiles for the 5 cm applicator were nonuniform, especially in the cathode-anode direction. Measurements indicated as much as 15% lower dose for the 50 kV beam at field edge on the anode side, when normalized to the center. The crossline profile was relatively more symmetric, with a maximum deviation of 10% at the field edge. All ion chamber readings agreed with film measurements within 3%. The nonuniform profile produced by these units may introduce uncertainty in dose rate measurements, especially for larger applicators. Since there is no intrinsic tool (crosshair or field light) for alignment with the beam axis, the user should take care when positioning the chamber for output measurements. The data obtained with a Farmer-type chamber should be used cautiously and as a reference only for the SRT-100 X-ray treatment unit.
ASGR1 expressed by porcine enriched liver sinusoidal endothelial cells mediates human platelet phagocytosis in vitro

Paris LL, Chihara RK, Reyes LM, Sidner RA, Estrada JL, Downey SM, Milgrom DA, Joseph Tector A, Burlak C. ASGR1 expressed by porcine enriched liver sinusoidal endothelial cells mediates human platelet phagocytosis in vitro. Xenotransplantation 2011; 18: 245–251. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Background: Porcine liver xenografts represent a potential solution to the organ shortage, but thrombocytopenia occurs within minutes to hours after xenotransplantation, preventing clinical application. Recently, it was discovered that porcine liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) bind and phagocytose human platelets. We examined the role of ASGR1 in binding and removing human platelets by the pig liver endothelium. Methods: Primary porcine enriched LSEC (eLSEC) were characterized by flow cytometry, immunoblot, quantitative PCR, and immunohistochemistry using confocal microscopy. Phagocytosis inhibition assays using anti-ASGR1 and an ASGR1 substrate were performed. ASGR1 was targeted for siRNA knockdown, and ASGR1-reduced cells were tested for human platelet binding and phagocytosis. Results: ASGR1 is expressed by eLSEC. Human platelet binding and phagocytosis by porcine eLSEC was inhibited by asialofetuin, but not fetuin, suggesting an interaction with galactose β1-4 N-acetyl glucosamine. Anti-ASGR1 antibodies inhibited human platelet binding in a dose-dependent manner. Knockdown experiments using siRNA reduced ASGR1 expression in asynchronous primary eLSEC by 40%–80%. There was a 20% reduction in translated protein significantly correlated with a 21% decrease in human platelet binding. Conclusions: ASGR1 on porcine eLSEC mediates phagocytosis of xenogeneic platelets.