cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Outcome after open and endovascular repairs of abdominal aortic aneurysms in matched cohorts using propensity score modeling

Objective The objective of this study was to compare outcomes after open repair (OR) vs endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Methods Clinical data of consecutive patients treated for asymptomatic AAA between 2000 and 2011 were reviewed. Patients were stratified into low/normal-risk (comorbidity score ≤ 10) and high-risk (score > 10) categories. The primary end point was all-cause mortality; secondary end points were complications, reinterventions, conversions, and ruptures. Propensity score-based matching was performed to compare outcomes. Results There were 1534 patients, of whom 207 were women (13%); 641 (42%) were treated with OR and 893 (58%) with EVAR. After propensity score matching, we selected 558 pairs of OR and EVAR (mean age, 73 ± 7.6 years); 158 were women (14%). The 30-day mortality rate was 1.3% after OR and 0.9% after EVAR ( P = .56). In multivariable analysis, only high risk was an independent predictor of early mortality (odds ratio, 4.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-18; P = .03). The early complication rate was lower for EVAR (13%; odds ratio, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.4-0.8; P P P = .57). High risk, advanced age, cancer history, AAA size, and EVAR predicted all-cause mortality. Freedom from reintervention was 74% after EVAR and 88% after OR (hazard ratio, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.92-3.51; P P = .04). In multivariable models, female gender was associated with complications; EVAR was associated with reinterventions ( P Conclusions In this retrospective propensity score-matched study, early mortality was similarly low after both EVAR and OR, significantly different from all except one large randomized controlled trial. EVAR had fewer early complications, but it was associated with late all-cause mortality and reinterventions and had a small but definite risk of late rupture. Significantly increased mortality at 5 years was no longer observed when operations were performed after 2005. High risk, advanced age, cancer history, and AAA size predicted late all-cause mortality. This study failed to confirm early or late survival benefit for EVAR vs OR. Improved surveillance, longer follow-up, and analysis of factors affecting late death in prospective studies are warranted.
Development of Recombinant Vesicular Stomatitis Viruses That Exploit Defects in Host Defense To Augment Specific Oncolytic Activity

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a negative-stranded RNA virus normally sensitive to the antiviral actions of alpha/beta interferon (IFN-α/β). Recently, we reported that VSV replicates to high levels in many transformed cells due, in part, to susceptible cells harboring defects in the IFN system. These observations were exploited to demonstrate that VSV can be used as a viral oncolytic agent to eradicate malignant cells in vivo while leaving normal tissue relatively unaffected. To attempt to improve the specificity and efficacy of this system as a potential tool in gene therapy and against malignant disease, we have genetically engineered VSV that expresses the murine IFN-β gene. The resultant virus (VSV-IFNβ) was successfully propagated in cells not receptive to murine IFN-α/β and expressed high levels of functional heterologous IFN-β. In normal murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), the growth of VSV-IFNβ was greatly reduced and diminished cytopathic effect was observed due to the production of recombinant IFN-β, which by functioning in a manner involving autocrine and paracrine mechanisms induced an antiviral effect, preventing virus growth. However, VSV-IFNβ grew to high levels and induced the rapid apoptosis of transformed cells due to defective IFN pathways being prevalent and thus unable to initiate proficient IFN-mediated host defense. Importantly, VSV expressing the human IFN-β gene (VSV-hIFNβ) behaved comparably and, while nonlytic to normal human cells, readily killed their malignant counterparts. Similar to our in vitro observations, following intravenous and intranasal inoculation in mice, recombinant VSV (rVSV)-IFNβ was also significantly attenuated compared to wild-type VSV or rVSV expressing green fluorescent protein. However, VSV-IFNβ retained propitious oncolytic activity against metastatic lung disease in immunocompetent animals and was able to generate robust antitumor T-cell responses. Our data indicate that rVSV designed to exploit defects in mechanisms of host defense can provide the basis for new generations of effective, specific, and safer viral vectors for the treatment of malignant and other disease.
Reliability and Validity of Electrothermometers and Associated Thermocouples

Objective: Examine thermocouple model uncertainty (reliability + validity). Design: First, a 3 × 3 repeated measures design with independent variables electrothermometers and thermocouple model. Second, a 1 × 3 repeated measures design with independent variable subprobe. Intervention: Three electrothermometers, 3 thermocouple models, a multi-sensor probe and a mercury thermometer measured a stable water bath. Main Outcome Measures: Temperature and absolute temperature differences between thermocouples and a mercury thermometer. Results: Thermocouple uncertainty was greater than manufactures’ claims. For all thermocouple models, validity and reliability were better in the Iso-Themex than the Datalogger, but there were no practical differences between models within an electrothermometers. Validity of multi-sensor probes and thermocouples within a probe were not different but were greater than manufacturers’ claims. Reliability of multiprobes and thermocouples within a probe were within manufacturers claims. Conclusion: Thermocouple models vary in reliability and validity. Scientists should test and report the uncertainty of their equipment rather than depending on manufactures’ claims. Keywords: uncertainty, temperature, measurement, therapeutic modality research Electrothermometers and associated thermocouples are commonly used during therapeutic modality research to measure changes in tissue temperature. Since change in tissue temperature is the major reason for using therapeutic heat and cold, results of this type of research are used to establish clinical protocols. As with any scientific investigation, the results of these studies are only as useful as the reliability and validity of the equipment used to collect the data. Until recently, scientists have either ignored the issue or have accepted manufacturers reported accuracy (freedom from error) 1 for electrothermometers and thermocouples. 2-7 We know of only one report of an independent investigation of the uncertainty of electrothermometers 8 and no report of the uncertainty of thermocouples.
Novel micromachined approaches to MMICs using low-parasitic, high-performance transmission media and environments

A new micromachined technology suitable for three-dimensional planar circuit configurations has been presented. At higher frequencies, problems associated with the substrates make conventional approaches unfeasible, and membrane supported circuit components offer the only planar alternative to costly waveguide-based approaches. Micromachined transmission lines and circuits have been shown to perform very well in frequency bands all the way up to W-band (110 GHz). Circuits commonly used in CPW implementations are shown to have superior performance when realized with membrane supported transmission lines like the microshield line. The microshield line has a relative effective dielectric constant of 1.07 through 100 GHz and, as a result, it exhibits zero dispersion and zero substrate loss. The micromachined CPW has the lowest attenuation yet demonstrated for planar transmission lines. Filters and resonant stubs have been measured up to 250 GHz and have demonstrated an unparalleled electrical performance.
Dexterous sliding manipulating using soft fingertips

In this paper, we build upon the results of the previous sliding manipulation analysis (Kao-Cutkosky 1992,1993) developed for instantaneously dexterous motion analysis, and extend the results to finite motion analysis and trajectory planning for soft robotic fingertips. Using the method of sliding analysis with decomposed rigid-body (RB) and non-rigid-body (NRB) components, we find the trajectory and motions of the finger tips over a finite range of motions during which the RB and NRB components are updated continuously. The results show that: (i) the RB/NRB sliding analysis can be applied to finite motion planning, (ii) the relative magnitudes of RB/NRB motions can be used as an index for manipulation task, and (iii) the advantageous orientations of force/motion can be used to plan for the motions of the grasped object. >
Solution of the interval equations of dynamics by using adaptive approximation

In this paper a new method for solution of the interval equations of dynamics will be presented. In this approach, in order to estimate upper (y) and lower bound (y) of the solution y = y(t, p) it is necessary to create approximation yapprox = yapprox(t, p 0 , …, p n , p) (p 0 , …, p n are some point values, and y ≈ yapprox). Then this approximation can be applied for calculation of yapprox and yapprox. It is also possible to get reliable inner estimation yinner and yinner of the solution. Using the differences yapprox — yinner, yapprox — yinner it is possible to control accuracy of the calculations. This method gives the possibility to calculate combinations of parameters (pmin approx (t), pmax approx (t), p min inner (t), pmax inner (t)), which generate both interval solutions (i.e. yapprox = y(t, pmin approx (t)), yapprox = y(t, pmax approx (t)), yinner = y(t, pmin inner (t)), yinner = y(t, pmax inner (t))). This is very useful in applications of the interval methods.
Targeting c-Src kinase enhances tamoxifen’s inhibitory effect on cell growth by modulating expression of cell cycle and survival proteins

Purpose Many studies have implicated the non-receptor tyrosine kinase c-Src in the development and metastatic progression of many types of cancer. In breast cancer, c-Src has been proposed to mediate the actions of estrogen in cell cycle progression.
Relationship of testosterone and osteocalcin levels during growth

Recent studies in mice have demonstrated that osteocalcin (OCN) regulates testosterone (T) production in males but not in females. We hypothesized that this novel bone-testis axis may be most relevant during rapid skeletal growth to help maximize bone size. Thus we measured serum T, total and undercarboxylated (UC) OCN, and periosteal circumference at the radius in 56 boys (bone age 4 to 20 years). T was correlated with OCN (bone-age-adjusted r = 0.30, p = .024), with a similar trend for UC OCN. T began to increase in the boys at bone age 11 years, and OCN peaked at bone age 14 years. Thus we divided the boys into three groups: 4 to 10 years (n = 16), 11 to 14 years (n = 18), and 15 to 20 years (n = 22). In boys of bone age 11 to 14 years (but not the other two groups), OCN was correlated with T (r = 0.57, p = .013), with a similar trend for UC OCN; T, in turn, was correlated with periosteal circumference (r = 0.75, p < .001). Collectively, these findings support the recent observations in mice of a novel bone-testis axis. Moreover, our data suggest that in human males, this axis may be most relevant during rapid skeletal growth, when T levels are rising under the influence of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and OCN is increasing due to skeletal growth. During this phase, OCN may further stimulate testicular T production, which, in turn, contributes to an increase in bone size. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Improving limits of detection for B-type natriuretic peptide using PC-IDMS: An application of the ALiPHAT strategy

Hydrophobic tagging of biomolecules has been reported by our group and others to increase their ionization efficiency during electrospray ionization and facilitate their detection by mass spectrometry. As such, hydrophobic tagging should provide a viable method for augmenting MS-based quantification of low abundance proteins by decreasing their detection limits. Herein we have evaluated two commercial alkylation reagents and several newly synthesized hydrophobic alkylation reagents for their utility in quantifying B-type Natriuretic Peptide, a low abundance cardiac biomarker, by protein cleavage isotope dilution mass spectrometry. For the cysteine containing tryptic peptide evaluated, a ∼3.5-fold decrease in the detection limit was observed for the best performing hydrophobic reagent, 2-iodo-N-octylacetamide, relative to the commonly used alkylation reagent, iodoacetamide. Additionally, we have evaluated the use of nonpolar surface areas as a metric for assessing the effectiveness of the alkylation reagents in improving ESI response.
Trabeculectomy in Aphakic Eyes

One hundred twenty-seven trabeculectomies performed on aphakic eyes at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (BPEI) between 1972 and 1982 were reviewed. Forty-five cases were excluded from data analysis: 28 in eyes with confounding conditions, such as neovascular glaucoma; ten with follow-up of less than six months; and seven that were the second or third trabeculectomy performed at the BPEI in six eyes. Of the remaining 82 trabeculectomies in 82 eyes: 32 (39%) were categorized as successes (eyes that achieved an intraocular pressure of less than or equal to 21 mmHg with medication or less than or equal to 25 mmHg without medication); eight (10%) were categorized as qualified failures (eyes that had an intraocular pressure of greater than 21 mmHg despite medication or greater than 25 mmHg without medication); and 42 (51%) were categorized as complete failures (eyes that underwent further glaucoma surgery, had further glaucoma surgery recommended, or lost light perception). In the 20 eyes of the patients younger than 50 years of age, only one (5%) was categorized as a success; while in the 62 eyes of the patients 50 years of age or older, 31 (50%) were categorized as successes.
Corsi e Ricorsi: The EDA Story

The article is a reflection on the development of the EDA field, from its early days to its explosive growth and present maturity.
Synthesis of the Unnatural Amino Acid AGDHE, a Constituent of the Cyclic Depsipeptides Callipeltins A and D

The novel amino acid residue (2R,3R,4S)-4-amido-7-guanidino-2,3-dihydroxyheptanoic acid (AGDHE, 3), a constituent of the cyclic depsipeptides callipeltins A and D, and its (2S,3S,4S) diastereomer were synthesized from a protected l-ornithine derivative in 13 steps (15% overall yield), and its configurational assignment was reexamined by 1H NMR.
Children's Interests: An Annotated Bibliography, 2013-2015

This bibliography covers law review articles published, for the most part, after 2008. Articles for which the title is self-explanatory or that concern only a single case, state, or statute are cited, but not annotated. For older annotations, see Mary K. Kisthardt, Children’s Interests: An Annotated Bibliography, 22 J. AM. ACAD. MATRIM. LAW. 517 (2009).
Levels of participatory conception of fractional quantity along a purposefully sequenced series of equal sharing tasks: Stu's trajectory

Abstract Current intervention research in special education focuses on children's responsiveness to teacher modeled strategies and not conceptual development within children's thinking. As a result, there is a need for research that provides a characterization of key understandings (KUs) of fractional quantity evidenced by children with learning disabilities (LD) and how growth of conceptual knowledge may occur within these children's mathematical activity. This case study extends current literature by presenting KUs of fractional quantity, evidenced through problem solving strategies, observable operations, and naming/quantification of one fifth grader with LD before, during, and after seven instructional sessions situated in equal sharing. The researchers utilized a characterization of evolving fraction conceptions developed from research of children without disabilities that was ultimately productive in facilitating conceptual advances of the child with LD. We hypothesize that the trajectory of the child's conceptions is a case of something more general. Pending future research, the trajectory may be a useful tool to practitioners wishing to plan thoughtful, conceptually-based fraction instruction that is responsive to all children's evolving conceptions of fractions as quantities built through their own mathematical activity.
The Foreigner as Founder Reconsidered: On the Constituent Power of the Excluded

Moments of crisis, as some scholars have long noted, have yielded not merely to new configurations of power, but also to the very founding and re-founding of regimes. Within these moments of political, economic or social crisis, the figure of a foreigner or immigrant as the agent of change plays a key if not fully examined role. Following in Bonnie Honig's analysis of the relationship between foreignness and (re)founding, this paper seeks to go beyond this analysis by theorizing what I call "the constituent power of the excluded" as a catalyst for change within processes of founding and re-founding. The constituent power of the excluded, I claim, constitutes not just a means of resolving the paradoxes of founding and refounding. These paradoxes suggest that neither the people nor a founding can be ontologically or historically prior to the other. The foreigner as founder, for Honig, emerges as an "outside" by which these paradoxes may be circumvented or at least managed. I argue that this conception of the foreigner is insufficient for fully articulating the relationship between foundings and foreigners/immigrants as agents for change. By engaging with the writings of Enrique Dussel and Boaventura de Sousa Santos, I attempt to outline an alternative conception of the constituent power of the foreigner and immigrant as an agent for political transformation.
Exploring Data Mining Representations of Track Data

Data mining is often used to analyze data that is too voluminous or complex to analyze by hand. However, most data mining algorithms require a fixed-length vector representation, in contrast to track data, which is naturally multi-dimensional and variable in length. We explore several methods for converting flight track data to a representation appropriate for data mining, and evaluate the performance of these representations in both clustering and classification tasks. Our results show that relevant features are captured in our representations, and describe the tradeoff in representational choices.
Osmolality-induced changes in aldosterone secretion involve a chloride-dependent process

Alterations in extracellular osmolality have a powerful inverse effect on aldosterone secretion that is associated with sustained changes in cell volume. With dispersed bovine glomerulosa cells grown in primary culture, the effects of alterations in osmolality on cell volume measured by the distribution of [14C]urea and [3H]mannitol were determined in the presence and absence of chloride. In the presence of chloride, decreases in osmolality increased cell volume, whereas angiotensin II (< 4 x 10(-9) M) did not affect cell volume. When chloride was removed from the medium (replacing chloride with the impermeant methyl sulfate ion), cell volume decreased significantly, but basal aldosterone secretion was not altered. In the absence of chloride, the increases in cell volume, cytosolic calcium concentration, and aldosterone secretion induced by decreases in osmolality were significantly suppressed. The replacement of chloride with the methyl sulfate ion suppressed the increases in both cytosolic calcium concentration and aldosterone secretion induced by low (< 4 x 10(-9) M) but not high (4 x 10(-8) M) concentrations of angiotensin II. The results suggest that reductions in osmolality increase cell volume, partly by inducing an influx of chloride ions that contributes to the total net influx of water. Reductions in cell volume caused by an increase in osmolality or by replacing the chloride ion with the impermeant methyl sulfate ion may induce alterations in membrane stretch that may decrease the angiotensin II-induced increase in cytosolic calcium concentrations, which in turn suppresses aldosterone secretion.
Developing attribute acquisition strategies in spoken dialogue systems via user simulation

A spoken dialogue system (SDS) is an application supporting conversational interaction with a human to perform some task. One barrier to the widespread deployment of SDSs exists in the form of communication breakdown in the dialogue, often when the user tries to supply a named entity from a large or open vocabulary set. For example, a weather information system will likely misrecognize an unknown city as some known city, leading to unpredictable system and user behavior. This thesis presents a framework for developing attribute acquisition strategies with a simulated user. We focus on acquiring unknown city names in a flight domain, through a spell-mode subdialogue. Collecting data from real users is costly. Furthermore, our goal is to focus on user behavior that tends to arise sporadically in real dialogues. Therefore, we employed user simulation to efficiently produce many dialogues, and to configure the input as desired in order to exercise specific strategies. We present a novel method of utterance generation for user simulation, combining segments of real and synthesized speech. This method retains the structural variety of real user utterances, while introducing synthesized items, such as unknown city names, that lead to problematic situations, for which we can develop strategies. We also devised a model of generic dialogue management, allowing a developer to quickly specify interaction properties on a per-attribute basis. This model was used to assess the effectiveness of various combinations of dialogue strategies and simulated user behavior. We use simulation to address two problems: the conflict problem requires the system to choose how to act when a new hypothesis for an attribute conflicts with its current belief, while the compliance problem requires the system to decide whether a user complied with a spelling request. Decision models were learned from simulated data, and were tested with real users, showing that the learned model significantly outperformed a heuristic model in choosing the "ideal" response to the conflict problem. The compliance prediction model achieved near perfect accuracy. These results suggest that such models learned from simulated data can attain similar, if not better, performance in dialogues with real users. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Human rights contestations: sexual orientation and gender identity

This article asks if and why sexual orientation and gender identity-related rights should connect to a human rights framework. To answer that question it begins by addressing how we understand what makes human rights resonate or not resonate and if addressing a contentious issue such as sexual orientation or gender identity from within a human rights frame advances or detracts from such resonance. The argument developed in response is anti-foundational: i.e., that human rights' resonance has not come from some universally valid extra-political foundational source but, rather, comes from how human rights have been transformed (at times) into tools that become relevant to everyday struggles of marginalised peoples. Considered in that context, including recognition of sexual orientation and gender identity-related rights may be extraordinarily difficult, but also presents an opportunity to re-conceptualise human rights in a way that reflects the sort of bottom-up demands that keep human rights relevant. Resp...
Augmented Reality Integrated Simulation Education in Health Care

Abstract Background Augmented Reality Integrated Simulation Education (ARISE) merges the concepts of simulation with augmented reality and game-based situated learning theory. As part of a Department of Labor grant, 150 ARISE scenarios for health care students are being constructed for open-source use. Method Four prototypes were trialed with representatives from the Wisconsin Technical College System. Results Results showed versatile use and favorable reviews. Conclusions Constructive feedback will be used in creating future scenarios. Further ARISE research, including student learning, student experience, and faculty evaluation, is recommended as well as expanding the concept to other disciplines.
The nutrition and health status of residents in Gaogang district of Taizhou in 2010

Objective To assess the nutrition and health status of residents in Gaogang district of Taizhou.Methods The survey was conducted according to the handbook of Chinese National Nutrition and Health Survey in 2010 which included questionnaire,interview,physical examination,laboratory testing and dietary investigation.Results The meat and cereal consumption of local residents basically reached the requirement of Chinese dietary guideline,which were 318.6 and 75.5gram per person each day.However,the daily intake of milk and fruits were only 15.1 and 15.9 gram per person,which were obviously inadequate,while the consumption of oil and salt were both excessive(55.2 g and 10.9 g).45.9% of total energy came from grain product and 38.5% from lipid.The survey also found that the overall prevalence of anemia was 15.7 % with 10.7% of males and 19.3% of females(χ2 =14.18,P0.05);33.2% and 5.6% of population was overweight and obesity,respectively.The prevalence of hypertension was 31.7 % among residents aged 15 years and over with 38.7% of males and 25.9% of females(χ2 =18.62,P0.05).The incidence of diabetes,hypercholesteremia,hypertriglyceridemia,or low serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol were 10.8 %,13.1%,23.4 % and 7.4 % respectively among adults.Conclusions Eventhough the dietary structure of local residents has been improved,and it is still not very much reasonable.The average daily intake of basic nutrients per reference person was adequate,but some nutrients were still deficient.The increase of the incidence of nutrition-related noncommunicable diseases(NCD) is an important public health problem.
Review: paired quantitative blood cultures most accurately detect intravascular device-related bloodstream infection.

Source Citation Safdar N, Fine JP, Maki DG. Meta-analysis: methods for diagnosing intravascular device-related bloodstream infection. Ann Intern Med. 2005;142:451-66. 15767623
A Biophysical Perspective on Enzyme Catalysis

Even after a century of investigation, our understanding of how enzymes work remains far from complete. In particular, several factors that enable enzymes to achieve high catalytic efficiencies remain only poorly understood. A number of theories have been developed, which propose or reaffirm that enzymes work as structural scaffolds, serving to bring together and properly orient the participants so that the reaction can proceed; therefore, leading to enzymes being viewed as only passive participants in the catalyzed reaction. A growing body of evidence shows that enzymes are not rigid structures but are constantly undergoing a wide range of internal motions and conformational fluctuations. In this Perspective, on the basis of studies from our group, we discuss the emerging biophysical model of enzyme catalysis that provides a detailed understanding of the interconnection among internal protein motions, conformational substates, enzyme mechanisms, and the catalytic efficiency of enzymes. For a number of enzymes, networks of conserved residues that extend from the surface of the enzyme all the way to the active site have been discovered. These networks are hypothesized to serve as pathways of energy transfer that enables thermodynamical coupling of the surrounding solvent with enzyme catalysis and play a role in promoting enzyme function. Additionally, the role of enzyme structure and electrostatic effects has been well acknowledged for quite some time. Collectively, the recent knowledge gained about enzyme mechanisms suggests that the conventional paradigm of enzyme structure encoding function is incomplete and needs to be extended to structure encodes dynamics, and together these enzyme features encode function including catalytic rate acceleration.
How Mobile Shopping Affects Customer Purchase Behavior: A Retailer’s Perspective

Shopping or buying with a mobile device (M-shopping henceforth) has become an increasingly important topic that has drawn much attention in both industry and academia. Forrester Research (Husson 2014) predicts that media companies and retailers receive more than 50 % of online traffic from mobile devices. M-shopping is also expected to grow substantially compared to the rest of the retail space. Deloitte Consulting (2012) predicts that $31 billion worth of retail revenues will be transacted using mobile devices by 2016. While the overall retail revenue annual growth rate is forecasted at 4 % for 2015 through 2016, mobile commerce is estimated to grow at 21 %–29 % (Mulpuru et al. 2013). The growth in M-shopping provides ample potential for marketers and advertisers to leverage the channel. Using a unique dataset from an Internet-based firm, we are able to compare customers’ behavior based on whether they use mobile devices, i.e., smartphones, tablets, and/or personal computers (PCs) when composing, modifying or placing orders online. We find that purchase probability and order size, i.e., the size of the order in dollars, increase as customers become accustomed to M-shopping. In addition to the cumulative effect, orders that are made with one or more mobile devices are more likely to lead to shorter times-to-next-order than PC-only orders. However, not all mobile orders are the same. Orders made with two or more device types are larger than those that are made with only a single device, e.g., smartphone-only orders. Orders made with all three device types, i.e., smartphones, tablets and PCs, are the largest. We propose that customers utilize mobile devices because the technology provides ubiquitous convenience, which leads them to incorporate M-shopping into their habitual routines. Managerially, we recommend that firms should not only promote their mobile platforms, but also encourage their customers to engage through multiple devices, including PCs. Firms can increase their customers’ spending by leveraging anytime, anywhere access and customer engagement via multiple devices.
Ex vivo Perfusion with Adenosine A2A Receptor Agonist Enhances Rehabilitation of Murine Donor Lungs after Circulatory Death

Background Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) enables assessment and rehabilitation of marginal donor lungs before transplantation. We previously demonstrated that adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) agonism attenuates lung ischemia-reperfusion injury. The current study utilizes a novel murine EVLP model to test the hypothesis that A2AR agonist enhances EVLP-mediated rehabilitation of donation after circulatory death (DCD) lungs. Methods Mice underwent euthanasia and 60 minutes warm ischemia, and lungs were flushed with Perfadex and underwent cold static preservation (CSP, 60 minutes). Three groups were studied: no EVLP (CSP), EVLP with Steen solution for 60 minutes (EVLP), and EVLP with Steen solution supplemented with ATL1223, a selective A2AR agonist (EVLP + ATL1223). Lung function, wet/dry weight, cytokines and neutrophil numbers were measured. Microarrays were performed using the Affymetrix GeneChip Mouse Genome 430A 2.0 Array. Results Ex vivo lung perfusion significantly improved lung function versus CSP, which was further, significantly improved by EVLP + ATL1223. Lung edema, cytokines, and neutrophil counts were reduced after EVLP and further, significantly reduced after EVLP + ATL1223. Gene array analysis revealed differential expression of 1594 genes after EVLP, which comprise canonical pathways involved in inflammation and innate immunity including IL-1, IL-8, IL-6, and IL-17 signaling. Several pathways were uniquely regulated by EVLP + ATL1223 including the downregulation of genes involved in IL-1 signaling, such as ADCY9, ECSIT, IRAK1, MAPK12, and TOLLIP. Conclusions Ex vivo lung perfusion modulates proinflammatory genes and reduces pulmonary dysfunction, edema, and inflammation in DCD lungs, which are further reduced by A2AR agonism. This murine EVLP model provides a novel platform to study rehabilitative mechanisms of DCD lungs.
Homeomorphy in Paleozoic bryozoans; a search for explanations

Many apparent homeomorphs have been recognized among genera assigned to the Paleozoic stenolaemate bryozoan orders Trepostomata and Cryptostomata. Morphologies are evaluated to determine whether such homeomorphy should be expected, or is likely to have resulted from incomplete taxonomic analysis. Historical and constructional constraints prevalent in the phylum appear to provide ample opportunity for adaptive convergence, a conclusion supported by the occurrence of similar morphologies in distantly related post-Paleozoic bryozoans.Cryptostomes are distinguished in part by the presence of restricted budding loci. Loci pattern is hypothesized to be the key innovation in the establishment of the clade and the pattern also is considered critical to the evolution of the relatively slender branches and short zooecia typical of cryptostomes.Loci development does not provide a taxonomic panacea. This is because the hypothesis does not preclude convergent evolution of broadly similar restricted loci in Paleozoic non-cryptostome groups, although presumably the cryptostomes in general would have been best equipped to succeed under conditions favoring restricted loci.Environmental conditions for the cryptostomes in general and changing life history strategies for rhabdomesoids in particular provide possible controlling factors for the evolution of these bryozoans.
Skills vs. Concepts: A Comparison of Practitioners' and Educators' Preferences for Accounting Information Systems Proficiencies

ABSTRACT This study investigates whether AIS instructors' selection of topics adequately prepares graduates for the expectations of employers seeking candidates who can adapt to the pace of technological change. As businesses adopt new technologies, stakeholders of the accounting profession must periodically reassess educational needs in the area of accounting information systems (AIS). Because AIS is a field that encompasses a wide variety of conceptual and skill-based topics, the selection of course topics can result in a “gap” between what academics and CPA firms expect from new accountants. Given the variety of topic areas, do academics and CPAs agree on which ones to emphasize, or what levels of proficiency are appropriate for each topic? In this study, academics and accountants, primarily in public practice, completed identical surveys regarding desired levels of proficiencies. The results suggest agreement on desired levels of proficiency regarding computer operation and use of accounting software ...
Paranoia and Perspective, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Start Loving Research in the Islamic Republic of Iran*

Objectives To demonstrate that qualitative research is both possible and desirable in closed, nondemocratic settings such as Iran, research sites seemingly hostile to the outside investigator. Methods Using an ethnographical approach consisting of document analysis, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation, the project documents the development of postrevolutionary schooling in Iran by mapping ruptures within the pedagogical state's project following the 1979 Revolution as well as gaps between the state's formal goals and the private use and appropriation of the public school system by ordinary families from below. Results A willingness to embrace contingency and flexibility in the field yielded an original and empirically rich data set that in turn inspired four general rules for research in authoritarian and nonauthoritarian countries: do not panic; make it boring; self-reflect; and panic, if just a little. Conclusions By engaging in research in authoritarian and nonauthoritarian settings, researchers demonstrate a commitment to drawing out local complexity and agency, producing findings that are likely to unsettle and disrupt existing literatures drenched with the weight of tropes and unexamined assumptions, incrementally leading to analysis that is restorative of “the local” even as it informs nonlocal audiences outside of the case.
Oscillating water column structural model

An oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy converter is a structure with an opening to the ocean below the free surface, i.e. a structure with a moonpool. Two structural models for a non-axisymmetric terminator design OWC, the Backward Bent Duct Buoy (BBDB) are discussed in this report. The results of this structural model design study are intended to inform experiments and modeling underway in support of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) initiated Reference Model Project (RMP). A detailed design developed by Re Vision Consulting used stiffeners and girders to stabilize the structure against the hydrostatic loads experienced by a BBDB device. Additional support plates were added to this structure to account for loads arising from the mooring line attachment points. A simplified structure was designed in a modular fashion. This simplified design allows easy alterations to the buoyancy chambers and uncomplicated analysis of resulting changes in buoyancy.
Blood Transcriptomic Meta-analysis Identifies Dysregulation of Hemoglobin and Iron Metabolism in Parkinson’ Disease

Disrupted iron metabolism has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that severely affects movement and coordination, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying this association remain unknown. To this end, we performed a transcriptomic meta-analysis of four blood microarrays in PD. We observed a significant downregulation of genes related to hemoglobin including, hemoglobin delta (HBD), alpha hemoglobin stabilizing protein (ASHP), genes implicated in iron metabolism including, solute carrier family 11 member 2 (SLC11A2), ferrochelatase (FECH), and erythrocyte-specific genes including erythrocyte membrane protein (EPB42), and 5'-aminolevulinate synthase 2 (ALAS2). Pathway and network analysis identified enrichment in processes related to mitochondrial membrane, oxygen transport, oxygen and heme binding, hemoglobin complex, erythrocyte development, tetrapyrrole metabolism and the spliceosome. Collectively, we identified a subnetwork of genes in blood that may provide a molecular explanation for the disrupted hemoglobin and iron metabolism in the pathogenesis of PD.
Optimal Sequential Grouping for Robust Video Scene Detection Using Multiple Modalities

Video scene detection is the task of dividing a video into semantic sections. To perform this fundamental task, we propose a novel and effective method for temporal grouping of scenes using an arbitrary set of features computed from the video. We formulate the task of video scene detection as a generic optimization problem to optimally group shots into scenes, and propose an efficient procedure for solving the optimization problem based on a novel dynamic programming scheme. This unique formulation directly results in a temporally consistent segmentation, and has the advantage of being parameter-free, making it applicable across various domains. We provide detailed experimental results, showing that our algorithm outperforms current state-of-the-art methods. To assess the comprehensiveness of this method even further, we present experimental results testing different types of modalities and their applicability in this formulation.
Cervical Paraspinal Muscle Atrophy Rates Following Laminoplasty and Laminectomy with Fusion for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Background Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a disorder that can cause neurologic deterioration. Studies on paraspinal muscular atrophy (PMA) in the lumbar spine have shown that these changes are caused by several perioperative factors. It is possible that PMA in the cervical spine could behave similarly. In this retrospective study, we compared the degree of PMA after laminoplasty versus laminectomy and fusion (LF) using a standard posterior approach to the cervical spine. Methods 18 laminoplasty and 43 LF patients were included in this study. For each patient, preoperative and postoperative MRI files were obtained and transferred into OsiriX imaging software. Atrophy rate was obtained and reported as percentage change in cross-sectional area of the cervical paraspinal muscles from preoperative to postoperative imaging. Results Mean cross-sectional cervical muscle atrophy rates were 6% and 13.1% for laminoplasty and LF, respectively, representing a 2.19 times increase in the degree of atrophy (P Conclusion PMA should be part of the decision making process when a posterior approach is considered, inasmuch as this study demonstrates that cervical laminoplasty was associated with significantly lower rates of PMA compared with cervical laminectomy and fusion. Additionally, these results suggest that minimizing PMA may help preserve cervical lordosis.
The Graph View: Navigating Big Data Science

Cartesian graphs are prevalent in modern science. In the popular communication of genetics, the earliest of them are syntactically simple and involve familiar datasets. With the emergence of the DNA age, graphs increased in number but are often inaccessible to publics because of their embedded formal scientific knowledge and conventions. Contemporary graphs are more conscious in creating visual appeal and public engagement, but some of them favor simple decorations that may not facilitate data communication. More successful attempts provide visual entry points to quantitative data or creatively transform technical details into relatable patterns. One missed opportunity, though, is pictographs, which are often considered an “inferior” graph but can integrate visual, verbal, and quantitative cues to tell meaningful and engaging stories about data.
The Chemical Composition and Evolution of Volcanic Lakes

Volcanic lakes carry fluids that range from ultra acid, high TDS brines to largely meteoric fluids. Their water compositions are governed by volcanic fluid inputs, which range from almost raw, cooled volcanic gases (largely S–Cl–F–CO2 rich fluid) to more mature solutions that result from interaction of these acid fluids with volcanic rocks. Volcanic inputs can have reacted with mature protoliths (low degrees of neutralization) or with freshly intruded magma (high degrees of water rock interaction), the latter often resulting in the precipitation of secondary minerals such as alunite. The detailed chemical lake water composition is a reflection of mineral precipitation, fractionation of trace elements in the precipitated phases (such as the rare earth elements and metals in sulfides) and element vapor phase transport by the volcanic gases. Variations in lake composition result from a changing volcanic input composition or magnitude and thus are important in volcano monitoring. The lake water dynamics also impact the lake water composition over time, and variations in evaporation rate, meteoric water input and dramatic changes in input may cause changes in element concentrations and ratios related to non steady state effects. The recovery time to steady state differs strongly between open and closed lake systems. The stable isotope compositions of volcanic lake waters reflect W/R interaction (higher δ18O), degree of volcanic gas input (higher δ18O and δD), and evaporation at elevated temperatures (flat evaporation lines). Isotope ratios of other elements usually reflect the nature of the volcanic inputs or dissolved rock. Volcanic lakes can be charged with toxic elements that upon release may impact local ecosystems and agricultural land or drinking water downstream. Volcanic lakes charged with poorly soluble gases such as CO2 and methane may represent hazards of limnic eruptions. Failure of retaining walls or dams of acid lakes may cause acid floods with damage to land and livestock downstream.
The TRPC1 Ca2+-permeable channel inhibits exercise-induced protection against high-fat diet-induced obesity and type II diabetes

The transient receptor potential canonical channel-1 (TRPC1) is a Ca2+-permeable channel found in key metabolic organs and tissues, including the hypothalamus, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle. Loss of TRPC1 may alter the regulation of cellular energy metabolism resulting in insulin resistance thereby leading to diabetes. Exercise reduces insulin resistance, but it is not known whether TRPC1 is involved in exercise-induced insulin sensitivity. The role of TRPC1 in adiposity and obesity-associated metabolic diseases has not yet been determined. Our results show that TRPC1 functions as a major Ca2+ entry channel in adipocytes. We have also shown that fat mass and fasting glucose concentrations were lower in TRPC1 KO mice that were fed a high-fat (HF) (45% fat) diet and exercised as compared with WT mice fed a HF diet and exercised. Adipocyte numbers were decreased in both subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue of TRPC1 KO mice fed a HF diet and exercised. Finally, autophagy markers were decreased and apoptosis markers increased in TRPC1 KO mice fed a HF diet and exercised. Overall, these findings suggest that TRPC1 plays an important role in the regulation of adiposity via autophagy and apoptosis and that TRPC1 inhibits the positive effect of exercise on type II diabetes risk under a HF diet-induced obesity environment.
Therapeutic targets of FDA-approved immunotherapies in oncology

A healthy individual is capable of identifying a foreign antigen and generating an immune response to it. The principal aim of present-day cancer immunotherapy is to augment the pre-existing host–anti-tumor immune response to a level capable of tumor rejection. It is a rational approach to treat cancers supported by almost 150 years of active research. Many agents that are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration specifically (or non-specifically) target various elements of the immune system to achieve the goal of cancer therapy. In this chapter, we will review the complex relationship between the immune system and cancer, and the targets of approved immunotherapeutic agents.
Externalizing behaviors within general, at-risk, and special education preschool classrooms: A preliminary investigation

ABSTRACTStudent problem behaviors occur across all classroom settings, but preschool children are three times more likely to be expelled than students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Determining the extent to which preschool students exhibit problem behaviors may help promote preventative practices in early childhood settings. This study examined the natural occurrence of externalizing behaviors within general, at-risk, and special education classrooms. Direct observations were collected across six classrooms to measure student off-task and disruptive behavior. No significant off-task differences were found across the three classroom types. However, a significant difference in disruptive behavior was found between special education and general education classrooms and between special education and at-risk classrooms. Implications and directions for future study are discussed.