cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prospective evaluation of thyroid function in patients with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma).

Abstract A consecutive series of 77 ambulatory, clinically euthyroid patients with systemic sclerosis was evaluated for clinical, chemical and serologic evidence of thyroid disease. Measurements of baseline serum thyroid function tests and the thyroid stimulating hormone response to thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) were made. We classified 18 (23%) patients as abnormal, including 8 (10%) who were chemically hypothyroid and 10 (13%) with normal baseline studies but an exaggerated response to TRH injection. The remaining 59 (77%) patients were euthyroid by all measurements. Antithyroid antibodies were present in only 4 of 8 (50%) of the hypothyroid group. There were no differences between the 3 patient groups with regard to the extent of scleroderma, the presence of internal organ involvement, or the frequency of common signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism. Abnormal thyroid function in systemic sclerosis is frequent, often unsuspected clinically, and may occur without markers of autoimmune thyroid disease.
A Critical Review of Reflectivity, Andragogy, and Confucianism

The link between Confucian humanism, Mezirow’s theory of reflectivity, and the convergence of a worldwide concept of andragogy (the art and science of helping adults learn) articulated by Savicevic, Knowles, Mezirow, Henschke, and Cooper is explicit. While Confucian humanism emphasizes inner experience, Mezirow’s theory has increasingly developed to integrate inner reflection expressed through transformed perspectives and decision and action, and andragogy has focused on facilitation of collaborative interaction and self-direction in learning involving the whole person. To appreciate the basis of these three schools of theory, this chapter presents a discussion of these originating theorists. As an introductory thought, the following quotations illustrate how Confucius’ thought has long been valued and aspired to in the pursuit of reflection and wisdom. Rather than the routine or inattentive action that tends to dominate our lives in the 21st century, this widespread 2000 year-old Eastern philosophy and tradition has been synonymous with questioning the meanings and assumptions of one’s surroundings and values. In addition to advancing our understanding of transformative learning, andragogy, and an integrated model of reflective thought, the authors hope this chapter will stir further international research in reflective learning and the intersections of Eastern philosophies with Western traditions and philosophies, as well as those that bridge both traditions. Worldwide, there are many rich traditions; if our understanding of teaching and learning can build upon our understanding of one another, we can open new doors for appreciation, insight, interaction, and inquiry. A Critical Review of Reflectivity, Andragogy, and Confucianism Victor C. X. Wang Florida Atlantic University, USA John A. Henschke Lindenwood University, USA Karen M. Fay Florida Atlantic University, USA DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-4249-2.ch021
Risk Perception of Technologies: Observations from Mainland China

Earlier studies have attempted to measure differences in the perception of risk associated with certain technologies on an international scale. This study, aimed at the Peoples Republic of China (mainland China), is a continuation of those efforts.
Youth Programs of the ESA: Will Other Professions Fill Our Shoes?

In an era of electronic computers, space exploration, enzyme chemistry, and pre-packaged foods, we have seen the last State agriculture college succumb to the times and change to university status. This move disassociates it from the poor public image of agriculture, of which we as entomologists are a part.
Metathesis Polycondensation Chemistry as a Route to Unsaturated Elastomers

Abstract Acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization offers a new opportunity to generate a wide variety of elastic structures using room temperature reaction conditions. It also offers the opportunity to modify existing elastomer structures through trans-metathesis copolymerization reactions. ADMET depolymerization could have tremendous significance if, in fact, the reaction can be applied to the recovery of commercial vulcanized elastomers. All of these opportunities are presently being investigated in our laboratory.
Rapid Raman spectra identification and determination of levofloxacin hydrochloride injection

Objective:To develop a method for the rapid identification,test and determination of levofloxacin hydrochloride injection using Raman spectra.Method:Raman spectra was used as the method of identifying,testing and determination the levofloxacin hydrochloride injection.Results:The result showed that the method of Raman spectra can identify the different of floxacin(despinner),levofloxacin and levofloxacin hydrochloride,test pH of levofloxacin hydrochloride injection,determinate the levofloxacin hydrochloride injection.Conclusion:Owing to its fast and nondestructive properties,the presented method can be developed as an analysis method for injection.
Topical injury evaluation of the murine colorectal mucosa using confocal endomicrosopy: a valuable method for assessing mucosal injuries associated with risk of pathogen transmission.

Summary Background: Concern regarding the effect of epithelial damage to the colorectal surface and possible impact on sexually transmitted infection transmission prompts the need for methods to evaluate the mucosal microscopic surface in preclinical studies examining such injury. This includes determining the effect of topical HIV prevention products on mucosal barrier integrity. In vivo imaging with high-resolution endomicroscopy could reveal defects in the mucosal barrier resulting from injury/surface trauma. Methods: Confocal endomicroscopy was investigated to assess the ability to image surface injury resulting from topical application of a chemical used in lubricants and microbial products. Mice treated with a 50 μL rectal dose of 0.2% benzalkonium chloride solution, 1% benzalkonium chloride or phosphate-buffered saline control for 20 min were imaged in vivo using confocal endomicroscopy for assessment of epithelial disruption. Following imaging, mice were sacrificed and rectal tissue evaluated by histology. Confocal images were graded based on degree of disruption to crypt and epithelial microstructure. Histology was graded based on percent of epithelial disruption observed in stained sections. Confocal image features were confirmed by high-resolution two-photon microscopy. Results: Based on quantitative grading of in vivo confocal endomicroscopy images, disruption at the microscopic scale was observed following treatment with benzalkonium chloride, with increased injury occurring with higher dose. Epithelial disruption at the lumen surface, evident between crypts and alteration in crypt structure on the luminal side were observed in confocal endomicroscopy and confirmed by histology. Conclusions: High-resolution imaging by confocal endomicroscopy can be used as a noninvasive tool for rapid visual assessment of rectal epithelial integrity following surface injury, potentially providing valuable indication of epithelial injury or trauma.
New Methods of Polypectomy

The three most prominent advances in colonoscopic polypectomy are the submucosal injection of saline to ensure safety of polypectomy, the use of the small, or mini, snare for removal of most colon polyps, and the introduction of the argon plasma coagulator for the treatment of vascular abnormalities of the colon and the fulguration of residual adenoma at the base of sessile polyps with a noncontact technique. The role of Endoloop, endoscopic clips, and rubber band ligation for polypectomy is discussed.
Fostering Clinical Excellence Across an Academic Health System.

OBJECTIVES Changes in the US healthcare economic system are requiring academic health centers (AHCs) to restructure in pursuit of their traditional tripartite missions; engaging the individuals focused on clinical care is becoming more important. We conducted this study to guide our institution's transformation by identifying ways to formally recognize clinicians who are excelling in patient care and understand which forms of acknowledgment would be acceptable and motivating. METHODS A survey was developed by a large committee with representation spanning the AHC and was sent electronically in spring 2014 to stakeholders across the institution. Items assessed perceptions of the importance and present state of valuing clinical excellence, the utility of 14 potential metrics to assess clinical excellence, and the meaningfulness of seven potential rewards for clinical excellence. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models analyzed differences (P 75% of their time spent in patient care versus others (37% vs 73%). Most (six of seven) types of reward were perceived as meaningful by the majority of respondents, with little variation among subgroups across bivariate and multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS This system-wide assessment was successful at identifying new strategies for recognizing clinical excellence. Other AHCs seeking institutional transformation may wish to perform a similar assessment.
Are Pedagogical Agents' External Regulation Effective in Fostering Learning with Intelligent Tutoring Systems?

In this study we tested whether external regulation provided by artificial pedagogical agents PAs was effective in facilitating learners' self-regulated learning SRL and can therefore foster complex learning with a hypermedia-based intelligent tutoring system. One hundred twenty Ni¾ź=i¾ź120 college students learned about the human circulatory system with MetaTutor during a 2-hour session under one of two conditions: adaptive scaffolding AS or a control C condition. The AS condition received timely prompts from four PAs to deploy various cognitive and metacognitive SRL processes, and received immediate directive feedback concerning the deployment of the processes. By contrast, the C condition learned without assistance from the PAs. Results indicated that those in the AS condition gained significantly more knowledge about the science topic than those in the C condition. In addition, log-file data provided evidence of the effectiveness of the PAs' scaffolding and feedback in facilitating learners' in the AS condition metacognitive monitoring and regulation during learning. We discuss implications for the design of external regulation by PAs necessary to accurately detect, track, model, and foster learners' SRL by providing more accurate and intelligent prompting, scaffolding, and feedback regarding SRL processes.
The Construct Of Personality In Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (Rebt) Theory

In this article it is argued that, if Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is to survive and prosper in the next century, it will require a more comprehensive and detailed theory of personality at its base. Ideally, REBT personality theory preferably should avoid certain basic shortcomings of other personality theories. Toward these ends, an explicit definition of the term personality is proposed for REBT theory emphasizing psychological individuality, cognition, emotion, and behavior, and their interrelationships. The central concepts in the proposed definition are then explored along with related broad-based hypotheses generally amenable to empirical test. Finally, some implications of the proposed definition of personality for treatment are then discussed.
Chain Folding Produces a Multilayered Morphology in a Precise Polymer: Simulations and Experiments

Precise control over polymer architecture unlocks the potential for engineered self-assembled crystal structures with useful features on the nanometer length scale. Here we elucidate the structure of the ordered phase of a semicrystalline, functional polyethylene having a precise linear architecture, namely, pendant carboxylic acid groups precisely every 21st backbone carbon atom. By comparing the results of atomistic molecular dynamics simulations with experimental X-ray scattering and Raman spectroscopy data, we find that the polymer chains are folded in a hairpin manner near each carboxylic acid group, giving rise to multiple embedded layers of functional groups that have an interlayer distance of 2.5 nm. This is in contrast to other precise polyethylenes, where the chains are mostly trans within the crystals. Such layers could act as two-dimensional pathways for ionic or molecular transport given an appropriate choice of functional group.
Integrated Water Resource Management

The overly complex nature of water resource management is one of the driving forces behind the movement to replace the nation’s piecemeal approach to water management with an Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) approach. IWRM requires considering not only local water supply in all its forms or distribution designs, but also the economic, social, and ecological environments affected by water, together with the interests and concerns of all water users, and a new level of water resource management planning by state and local agencies cooperating with the traditional federal water managers. The IWRM model is not a single blueprint for water management, but rather a flexible system of concerns that are designed to help local communities solve their own water resource problems in ways that best meet their particular needs.
Use of alternative medicine for cancer and its impact on survival.

e18175Background: There is limited available information on the patterns of utilization and efficacy of alternative medicine (AM) for patients with cancer. The primary objective was to compare surv...
Study of thin films polarity of group III nitrides

Thin films of GaN grown by MOCVD on (0001) sapphire were studied by transmission electron microscopy in order to correlate the observed extended defects with crystal polarity of the films. We propose relatively simple and unambiguous method of polarity determination for wurtzite group III nitrides based on the dependence of the intensity of diffracted beams upon thickness of the specimen. Due to the dynamic scattering by polar structure, the convergent beam electron diffraction patterns lose inversion symmetry and become in fact fingerprints of the structure carrying information about crystal polarity. In this study, we have used the thinnest regions of the specimens (<15 nm) and multiple diffraction spots in high-symmetry orientation for polarity determination. The films were found to have Ga-polar surfaces, either being unipolar, or containing thin (10-30 nm in diameter) columnar inversion domains (IDs) of N-polarity. The occurrence of IDs was correlated with specific types of dislocation distribution in the films.
ERCP performed through previously placed duodenal stents: a multicenter retrospective study of outcomes and adverse events

Background and Aims ERCP performed through previously placed enteral stents is an uncommon procedure without a significant amount of supporting literature and with a wide reported range of technical success. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and better define the technical feasibility and safety of performing ERCP through enteral stents in patients with combined malignant biliary and gastric outlet obstruction. Methods We conducted a multicenter, retrospective study on 71 patients with combined gastric outlet and biliary obstruction who underwent ERCP through a previously placed enteral stent at 2 tertiary care centers. Outcomes included but were not limited to technical success, clinical success, need for repeat ERCP, adverse events, and survival time. Results Overall technical success was achieved in 60 of 71 patients (85%), with technical success of 40 of 46 (87%) in type I obstructions (gastric outlet obstruction above the ampulla), 16 of 21 (76%) in type II obstructions (gastric outlet obstruction at the level of the ampulla), and 4 of 4 (100%) in type III obstructions (gastric outlet obstruction distal to the ampulla). In general, patients who achieved technical success also achieved clinical success. Adverse events occurred in 3 patients (3/71): 2 patients with acute cholangitis and 1 patient with perforation. Average survival time after the procedure was 4.6 months overall. Conclusions ERCP performed through enteral stents is safe, with a high technical and clinical success rate, but may be more technically challenging in the setting of type II obstructions. This procedure could be considered first line in the unique setting that a patient requires ERCP through a previously placed enteral stent for malignant gastric outlet and biliary obstruction.
Stochastic Bifurcations in a Generic Dynamical System: A Qualitative Analysis

One of the main problems in the analysis of nonlinear dynamical systems is the study of the number and stability of the stationary solutions. In a first approach one assumes deterministic conditions, such that all the parameters involved in the problem have fixed values. If this is the case, bifurcation theory1–3 provides the necessary mathematical tools to handle the problem. In many practical situations, however, the restriction of constant parameters is difficult to maintain, and one would like to be able to extend the precise results of bifurcation theory to, for instance, the case in which the bifurcation parameter fluctuates around a well defined mean value.
Demonstration of the pentose cycle reactions in Penicillium chrysogenum.

The presence of a pentose cycle has been demonstrated in almost all organisms that have been critically examined. However, it is yet to be demonstrated in a saprophytic mold. Sih and Knight (1956) have reported that Penicillium chrysogenum strain NRRL 1951 B25 contained significant quantities of pentose and heptulose phosphates, and Heath and Koffier (1956) showed that ribose-5-phosphate was metabolized by the cell free extracts of P. chrysogenum strain Q176; all of which suggests that the pentose cycle may also be operative in this organism. The present investigation shows the conversion of ribose-5-phosphate to sedoheptulose-7-phosphate, and the conversion of the latter to hexosephosphates.
Identification of Novel, Structurally Diverse, Small Molecule Modulators of GPR119

GPR119 drug discovery efforts in the pharmaceutical industry for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity, were initiated based on its restricted distribution in pancreas and GI tract, and its possible role in glucose homeostasis. While a number of lead series have emerged, the pharmacological endpoints they provide have not been clear. In particular, many lead series have demonstrated loss of efficacy and significant toxic side effects. Thus, we sought to identify novel, potent, positive modulators of GPR119. In this study, we have successfully developed and optimized a high-throughput screening strategy to identify GPR119 modulators using a live cell assay format that utilizes a cyclic nucleotide-gated channel as a biosensor for cAMP production. Our high-throughput screening (HTS) approach is unique to that of previous HTS approaches targeting this receptor, as changes in cAMP were measured both in the presence and absence of an EC10 of the endogenous ligand, oleoylethanolamide, enabling detection of both agonists and potential allosteric modulators in a single assay. From these efforts, we have identified positive modulators of GPR119 with similar as well as unique scaffolds compared to existing compounds and similar as well as unique signaling properties. Our compounds will not only serve as novel molecular probes to better understand GPR119 pleiotropic signaling and the underlying physiological consequences of receptor activation, but are also well-suited for translation as potential therapeutic agents.
Biomarkers, Targeted Therapies, Biologics, and Bronchial Thermoplasty

Severe asthma is a complex and heterogeneous inflammatory disease that encompasses multiple phenotypes that are being targeted with an increasing number of biologic therapies. Our understanding of the mechanisms that drive severe asthma has been rapidly evolving over the last decade, revealing multiple pathologic mechanisms that can result in similar asthma symptoms and disease activity. Concurrently, there has been a dramatic change in the approach to asthma therapies mediated by the availability of new targeted therapies for severe asthma. There are now five biologic therapies and bronchial thermoplasty approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that are targeted at reducing exacerbations and oral corticosteroid (OCS) exposure and improving asthma control. Identification of responders to these advanced therapies currently relies on surrogate markers of inflammation. These surrogate markers (biomarkers) can be used as phenotyping tools, predictive markers of response, and prognostic markers. Although our understanding of how to use biomarkers to select patients for these therapies has evolved, many limitations remain, and more work needs to be done to improve the accuracy of these markers. Personalized medicine is now a realizable dream when managing severe asthma but faced with increasingly complex decision making surrounding which therapies should be given to a particular patient. It is imperative that we continue to work to improve the precision of our tools if we are ever to fully realize the goal of providing precision medicine to patients that suffer from asthma. In this review, we will discuss the current biomarkers used to phenotype patients with asthma, how they are currently used, their limitations, and future biomarkers.
Distension of the maxillary vein with hepatojugular reflux.

A 92-year old woman presented to the emergency department with worsening dyspnea. She was found to be in atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. Physical examination revealed hepatojug...
Lipid-based phagocytosis nanoenhancer for macrophage immunotherapy

Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) play an important role in initiating the immunosuppressive environment that negatively impacts the immunotherapy efficacy and has long been linked with cancer progression. On the other hand, activated macrophages display immense phagocytic potential and can be used as an effector cell for cancer therapy. But, activating TAMs to effectively phagocytose cancer cells is challenging. Cancer cells upregulate CD47, a "don't eat me" receptor that ligates with SIRPα present on macrophages to downregulate the phagocytosis. Since phagocytosis is a physical phenomenon based on engulfment of aberrant cells, we hypothesized that the phagocytic function of macrophages can be enhanced by blocking both CD47 and SIRPα in tandem and at the same time, engaging both macrophages and cancer cells can favor increased macrophage-cancer cellular interactions. Here, we demonstrate that a simple approach of anti-CD47 and anti-SIRPα antibodies conjugated lipid-based phagocytosis nanoenhancer (LPN) can perform both of these functions. The LPNs were stable in both physiological and biologically relevant conditions, bound to both macrophages and cancer cells and significantly enhanced phagocytosis of cancer cells as compared to combination of free antibodies. LPN treatment showed significant tumor growth inhibition and increased survival in B16F10 melanoma tumor bearing mice with no systemic toxicity. Mechanistic analysis of efficacy revealed an increase in intra-tumoral infiltration of effector T cells and NK cells. Cytokine analysis revealed increased secretion of intracellular iNOS, a hallmark of activated macrophages. This study shows that LPN can simultaneously block both CD47 and SIRPα and can effectively engage macrophage and cancer cell in close proximity. Combining these facets provide a simple approach to enhance phagocytosis and improve anti-cancer macrophage immunotherapy.
A retrospective analysis of Keshan disease in Liaoning Province in the past 20 years

Objective To master the disease trend of Keshan disease in Liaoning Province, and provide a scientific basis for control and elimination of Keshan disease. Methods Retrospective method was used to analysis the Keshan disease monitoring in Liaoning Province. From 1995 to 2007, a sentinel surveillance method was used in Qingyuan County, and seriously ill villages were selected as monitoring sites. From 2008 to 2014, a sample random sampling method was adopted to randomly select 1-4 diseased villages as monitoring sites in Qingyuan, Xinbin, Huanren and Xifeng each year. The residents in surveillance sites were surveyed through questionnaire, clinically examined and did electrocardiogram(ECG), suspected cases were taken anterior chest X-rays in the distance of 2 meters, and diagnosis of Keshan disease was based on the "Standard of Diagnosis of Keshan Disease" (GB 17021-1997) and the "Keshan Disease Diagnosis" (WS/T 210-2011). Results From 1995-2014, no new cases of acute and subacute Keshan disease were detected in Keshan disease monitoring sites in Liaoning Province, Keshan disease detection rate was the highest in 2007 (6.6%, 55/838), the lowest was in 2012 (0.4%, 3/836), cases of Keshan disease had been concentrated among non-key groups, the highest abnormal rate of ECG was found in 2011(24.5%, 424/1 728), for 176 cases of suspected Keshan disease, the anterior position of 2 m chest X-ray was taken and 50.0% (88/176) of the changes were increased. Conclusion After 20 years of monitoring and prevention, the condition of Keshan disease in Liaoning Province has been in a relatively stable state. But we still should strengthen the monitoring of Keshan disease, emphasize the importance of case search, continue to carry out the monitoring. Key words: Keshan disease; Surveillance; Detection rate; Electrocardiogram
Leading Without Line Authority

Leading without line authority is a creative process that pursues change through the cultivation of new relationships outside of the existing organizational chart. It is an emergent process. Non-line authority leadership is often at play when undertaking new initiatives that fall outside of the existing structures and hierarchy of an institution. The motivations and drivers are academic and professional for the non-line authority leader more than they are financial and authority based. The institutional value package of vision, mission, and goals serves as the magnetic force to create new values. Value rather than cost drives discussions and negotiations. Non-line authority leaders rely less on policies and procedures and more on listening and persuasion to create new shared purpose. These leaders must be socially fearless. They identify, cultivate, and align existing constituencies around the new value and purpose. They create a common vocabulary through listening. Simple communication tools are presented that can assist those leading without line authority to achieve new goals.
Brief Report: "I Didn't Really Have a Primary Care Provider Until I Got PrEP": Patients' Perspectives on HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis as a Gateway to Health Care.

Background HIV prevention is the primary goal of preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP); however, ancillary benefits may exist, including PrEP as an entry point to primary care. Objective To explore PrEP users' perspectives on how PrEP use relates to broader engagement in health care. Design In-depth qualitative interviews. Participants We recruited PrEP users aged 18 years or older from a social media group for people interested in PrEP information and a Boston community health center specializing in health care for sexual and gender minorities. Approach Inductive content analysis to identify emergent themes. Key results All 25 participants were men who have sex with men, whose mean age was 34 years, and 84% were White. Three major themes emerged: (1) accessing PrEP was a strong motivator for initial and continued engagement in health care, which for some evolved over time into accessing comprehensive primary care; (2) provider awareness and attitudes about PrEP influenced participants' ongoing engagement in health care; and (3) PrEP engendered a positive sense of control over users' personal health, giving them agency in reducing their risk of HIV and engaging in other aspects of their health. Quarterly PrEP visits helped participants establish and maintain a relationship with a primary care provider, access non-HIV-related care services, and feel empowered to keep themselves healthy. Conclusions The benefits of PrEP extend beyond HIV prevention to broader engagement in health care, including new relationships with primary care providers and use of other preventive health care services. To maximize those benefits, efforts are needed to ensure that providers are aware, nonjudgmental, and supportive of PrEP use.
A Variable Height Microfluidic Device for Multiplexed Immunoassay Analysis of Traumatic Brain Injury Biomarkers

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, partially due to the lack of sensitive diagnostic methods and efficacious therapies. Panels of protein biomarkers have been proposed as a way of diagnosing and monitoring TBI. To measure multiple TBI biomarkers simultaneously, we present a variable height microfluidic device consisting of a single channel that varies in height between the inlet and outlet and can passively multiplex bead-based immunoassays by trapping assay beads at the point where their diameter matches the channel height. We developed bead-based quantum dot-linked immunosorbent assays (QLISAs) for interleukin-6 (IL-6), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) using DynabeadsTM M-450, M-270, and MyOneTM, respectively. The IL-6 and GFAP QLISAs were successfully multiplexed using a variable height channel that ranged in height from ~7.6 µm at the inlet to ~2.1 µm at the outlet. The IL-6, GFAP, and IL-8 QLISAs were also multiplexed using a channel that ranged in height from ~6.3 µm at the inlet to ~0.9 µm at the outlet. Our system can keep pace with TBI biomarker discovery and validation, as additional protein biomarkers can be multiplexed simply by adding in antibody-conjugated beads of different diameters.
Suicide Risk and Protective Factors in Online Support Forum Posts: Annotation Scheme Development and Validation Study.

Background: Online communities provide support for individuals looking for help with suicidal ideation and crisis. As community data are increasingly used to devise machine learning models to infer who might be at risk, there have been limited efforts to identify both risk and protective factors in web-based posts. These annotations can enrich and augment computational assessment approaches to identify appropriate intervention points, which are useful to public health professionals and suicide prevention researchers. Objective: This qualitative study aims to develop a valid and reliable annotation scheme for evaluating risk and protective factors for suicidal ideation in posts in suicide crisis forums. Methods: We designed a valid, reliable, and clinically grounded process for identifying risk and protective markers in social media data. This scheme draws on prior work on construct validity and the social sciences of measurement. We then applied the scheme to annotate 200 posts from r/SuicideWatch—a Reddit community focused on suicide crisis. Results: We documented our results on producing an annotation scheme that is consistent with leading public health information coding schemes for suicide and advances attention to protective factors. Our study showed high internal validity, and we have presented results that indicate that our approach is consistent with findings from prior work. Conclusions: Our work formalizes a framework that incorporates construct validity into the development of annotation schemes for suicide risk on social media. This study furthers the understanding of risk and protective factors expressed in social media data. This may help public health programming to prevent suicide and computational social science research and investigations that rely on the quality of labels for downstream machine learning tasks.
Understanding and targeting prostate cancer cell heterogeneity and plasticity.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a prevalent malignancy that occurs primarily in old males. Prostate tumors in different patients manifest significant inter-patient heterogeneity with respect to histo-morphological presentations and molecular architecture. An individual patient tumor also harbors genetically distinct clones in which PCa cells display intra-tumor heterogeneity in molecular features and phenotypic marker expression. This inherent PCa cell heterogeneity, e.g., in the expression of androgen receptor (AR), constitutes a barrier to the long-term therapeutic efficacy of AR-targeting therapies. Furthermore, tumor progression as well as therapeutic treatments induce PCa cell plasticity such that AR-positive PCa cells may turn into AR-negative cells and prostate tumors may switch lineage identity from adenocarcinomas to neuroendocrine-like tumors. This induced PCa cell plasticity similarly confers resistance to AR-targeting and other therapies. In this review, I first discuss PCa from the perspective of an abnormal organ development and deregulated cellular differentiation, and discuss the luminal progenitor cells as the likely cells of origin for PCa. I then focus on intrinsic PCa cell heterogeneity in treatment-naive tumors with the presence of prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs). I further elaborate on PCa cell plasticity induced by genetic alterations and therapeutic interventions, and present potential strategies to therapeutically tackle PCa cell heterogeneity and plasticity. My discussions will make it clear that, to achieve enduring clinical efficacy, both intrinsic PCa cell heterogeneity and induced PCa cell plasticity need to be targeted with novel combinatorial approaches.
Regulated heat shock protein 27 expression in human retinal pigment epithelium.

PURPOSE. To examine the expression and regulation of an injury-related protein, heat shock protein (Hsp) 27, in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), since RPE injury may be an important feature of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). METHODS. Retinal cross sections from eyes of Lewis rats were examined for Hsp27 in vivo by immunohistochemistry, and in vitro expression of Hsp27 in human ARPE-19 cells was determined by Northern and Western blot analysis. Oxidant-mediated injury was performed by exposing ARPE-19 cells to myeloperoxidase and hydrogen peroxide. Cell lines stably expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) targeted to the cell membrane were used to study injury-induced membrane blebbing, and XTT conversion was used to detect cell viability. RESULTS. High level of Hsp27 expression was detected in vivo in ganglion cells, RPE, and photoreceptor outer segments of rat retina. ARPE-19 cells also expressed high levels of Hsp27 in vitro. Oxidative injury in ARPE-19 cells resulted in transcriptional and translational activation of Hsp27 and induced extensive membrane blebbing. A high level of Hsp 27 protein was detected within membrane blebs. Increased expression of Hsp27 was also observed in differentiated ARPE-19 cells when compared with dividing cells. Higher Hsp27 levels in differentiated RPE cells correlated with increased viability and phenotypically different blebbing after exposure to the injury stimulus. In addition, sublethal injury doses caused a moderate amount of membrane blebbing, which was well tolerated by differentiated ARPE-19 cells. CONCLUSIONS. These results indicate that Hsp27 may be an important component of the RPE injury response and may contribute to injury-induced membrane blebbing in differentiated RPE cells. It is hypothesized that Hsp27 levels may play a role in disease states in the retina, such as ARMD.
Fabrication and Characterization of Electrospun PCL-MgO-Keratin-Based Composite Nanofibers for Biomedical Applications

Polymeric nanofibers are of great interest in biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering, drug delivery and wound healing, due to their ability to mimic and restore the function of natural extracellular matrix (ECM) found in tissues. Electrospinning has been heavily used to fabricate nanofibers because of its reliability and effectiveness. In our research, we fabricated poly(e-caprolactone)-(PCL), magnesium oxide-(MgO) and keratin (K)-based composite nanofibers by electrospinning a blend solution of PCL, MgO and/or K. The electrospun nanofibers were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), mechanical tensile testing and inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Nanofibers with diameters in the range of 0.2-2.2 µm were produced by using different ratios of PCL/MgO and PCL-K/MgO. These fibers showed a uniform morphology with suitable mechanical properties; ultimate tensile strength up to 3 MPa and Young's modulus 10 MPa. The structural integrity of nanofiber mats was retained in aqueous and phosphate buffer saline (PBS) medium. This study provides a new composite material with structural and material properties suitable for potential application in tissue engineering.
Documentation principles and practices that you can live with

Software architecture has become a widely-accepted conceptual basis for the development of non-trivial software in all application areas and by organizations of all sizes. Effectively documenting an architecture is as important as crafting it; if the architecture is not understood, or worse, misunderstood, it cannot meet its goals as the unifying vision for software development. Development-based architecture strategies, such as Rational’s Unified Process, stop short of prescribing documentation standards. The Views and Beyond approach to software architecture provides practical guidance on the what, why, and how of creating IEEE 1471-2000 compliant documentation for your software architecture that will be used for years to come. The approach is based on the well-known concept of views and is presented in the context of prevailing prescriptive models for architecture, including the Unified Process and UML 2.0, which has improved support for representing key architectural elements over its predecessors.
Identification of genes encoding components of the swarmer cell flagellar motor and propeller and a sigma factor controlling differentiation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus possesses two distinct motility systems, the polar system used for swimming in liquid environments and the lateral system used for swarming over surfaces. Growth on surfaces induces swarmer cell differentiation and expression of the lateral motility system. Mutants, created by transposon mutagenesis of a clone expressing lateral flagellin and gene disruption in V. parahaemolyticus, were unable to swarm and failed to make lateral flagellin; therefore, unlike the case for the polar system, there is one gene (lafA) encoding lateral flagellin. In addition to lafA, other genes required for swarming but not for swimming were identified by gene replacement mutagenesis. The nucleotide sequence of the clone determined open reading frames (ORFs) and deduced amino acid sequences showed similarities to flagellar components of other bacteria: flagellin, hook-associated protein (HAP2), motor components, and flagellar sigma factor (sigma 28). Many sigma 28 factors have been shown to recognize cognate promoters; however, expression of lafA in Escherichia coli required LafS, and E. coli sigma 28 did not substitute. Also, there were no sequences preceding genes encoding flagellin or HAP2 resembling the sigma 28 consensus promoter. The product of the sigma-like gene seems to be a unique member of the sigma 28 cluster. It appears the result of requiring expression for immunodetection of flagellin clones was that the sigma locus was fortuitously cloned, since the sigma and lafA loci were not contiguous in the chromosome. This work initiates identification and placement of genes in a scheme of control for swarmer cell differentiation; three levels have been identified in the transcriptional hierarchy. Images
Adrenergic innervation in ovaries of the rat and guinea pig.

The ovarian adrenergic innervation of rats and guinea pigs was studied using a fluorescent technique. In both species, catecholamine-containing nerves entered the ovary via hilar perivascular plexuses and extended into adjacent medullary and cortical tissue. The interstitial gland of the rat ovary was well innervated; however, cortical components of the ovary in this species, including corpora lutea and developing and mature follicles, were sparsely innervated. The interstitial gland and theca folliculi of developing and mature guinea pig follicles contained a dense network of beaded preterminal nerves. It is suggested that ovarian adrenergic nerves facilitate ovulation, either directly by stimulating perifollicular smooth muscle to contract or indirectly by influencing the steroid output of the interstitial gland.
Diagenesis of dissolved aluminum in organic-rich estuarine sediments

Abstract The sedimentary geochemistry of dissolved Al is complicated by a number of different reactions. In this study we show that complexation by organic matter, adsorption to Fe-oxyhydroxides, and reaction with Si in solution have important effects on the distribution of dissolved Al in sediments. In the absence of physical resuspension of sediment into overlying waters, dissolved Al is rapidly consumed at the sediment-water interface and is subsequently released upon reduction of Fe-oxyhydroxides. This release does not cause noticeable perturbations in dissolved Al concentrations in sediments because of rapid consumption reactions which mask the true mobility of Al. Results suggest that one of the consumption reactions may be due to formation of an Fe-Al-silicate. The amount of authigenic aluminosilicate formed in estuarine sediments must be very small relative to the detrital component. In the deep-sea, however, the long residence time of Fe-oxyhydroxides at the sediment-water interface, with resulting greater accumulation of adsorbed Al may explain the abundance of Al in Fe-smectites reported from many different areas.
The influence of flankers on race categorization of faces.

Context affects multiple cognitive and perceptual processes. In the present study, we asked how the context of a set of faces would affect the perception of a target face’s race in two distinct tasks. In Experiments 1 and 2, participants categorized target faces according to perceived racial category (Black or White). In Experiment 1, the target face was presented alone or with Black or White flanker faces. The orientation of flanker faces was also manipulated to investigate how face inversion effect would interact with the influences of flanker faces on the target face. The results showed that participants were more likely to categorize the target face as White when it was surrounded by inverted White faces (an assimilation effect). Experiment 2 further examined how different aspects of the visual context would affect the perception of the target face by manipulating flanker faces’ shape and pigmentation, as well as their orientation. The results showed that flanker faces’ shape and pigmentation affected the perception of the target face differently. While shape elicited a contrast effect, pigmentation appeared to be assimilative. These novel findings suggest that the perceived race of a face is modulated by the appearance of other faces and their distinct shape and pigmentation properties. However, the contrast and assimilation effects elicited by flanker faces’ shape and pigmentation may be specific to race categorization, since the same stimuli used in a delayed matching task (Experiment 3) revealed that flanker pigmentation induced a contrast effect on the perception of target pigmentation.
Shortening Osteotomy and Compression Plating for Atrophic Humeral Nonunions : Surgical Technique

The incidence of nonunion after humeral shaft fractures is low with both operative and nonoperative interventions. However, when a delayed union or nonunion occurs, it can be a very debilitating, leading to limited function and pain. Several methods have been described for the management of humeral diaphyseal nonunions. We present 11 cases managed with a transverse, shortening osteotomy and compression plating with or without bone grafting. Of the 11 cases, 10 had prior surgical treatment of open reduction and internal fixation. Union was achieved in all 11 humeri.
Exchange Rate Variability and Exchange Market Intervention: Spot vs. Forward

The paper compares forward and spot market interventions by examining their effects on exchange rate fluctuations. Using a stochastic partial equilibrium model, it is shown that the two interventions fail to limit spot rate fluctuations caused by shocks that do not perturb traders' hedging activity directly. When shocks perturb this hedging activity in the first place, however, it is shown that intervention via spot exchange may trigger very large fluctuations once it cannot sufficiently counteract hedgers' and speculators' combined response to risk premia. In this case, by contrast, the forward intervention can dampen exchange rate variability. [F31]
Results of Penetrating Keratoplasty for Visual Rehabilitation After Acanthamoeba Keratitis

Purpose To assess the results of penetrating keratoplasty in quiet eyes after resolution of Acanthamoeba keratitis. Design A retrospective interventional case series. Methods Penetrating keratoplasty was undertaken in 13 eyes of 13 patients with an average age of 29 ± 13 years and a history of Acanthamoeba keratitis that was diagnosed by culture and/or confocal microscopy between January 1995 and September 2004. All eyes were observed for at least 3 months (average, 5 months) after the discontinuation of antiamebic therapy that had been administered for at least 4.5 months. In vivo confocal microscopy was used to ensure that no residual amoeba were present before the operation. Two keratoplasties were combined with a valve insertion; five keratoplasties were combined with cataract extraction, and one keratoplasty was preceded by a ciliary laser ablation. Results Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity ranged from 20/40 to 20/15, with the exception of one eye with advanced glaucoma that did not improve from a preoperative vision of light perception. No eye experienced rejection or amoebic recurrences, and 12 grafts remained clear throughout the follow-up period (8 months to 9 years; median, 23 months). One graft failed at 4 months because of uncontrolled glaucoma. The eye was regrafted, and the graft remained clear during the 28 months of follow-up evaluation. Two eyes with preoperatively diagnosed glaucoma needed subsequent surgery to control their intraocular pressure. Conclusion Penetrating keratoplasty for visual restoration after Acanthamoeba keratitis appears to have an excellent long-term prognosis, provided amoebic infection has resolved and concurrent glaucoma is controlled.
Refocusing on Liquidated Damages in Incentive/Disincentive Contracts

AbstractIncentive/disincentive (I/D) clauses are designed to award payments to contractors if they complete work ahead of schedule and to deduct payments if they overrun the completion time. The use of incentive/disincentive clauses in transportation is heavily influenced by the code of federal regulations. The intended effect of this regulation is to facilitate the inclusion of road user costs (RUC) to accelerate projects. However, the unintended consequence is for disincentives to be construed as unenforceable penalties as illustrated in previous cases. This paper argues for an alternate approach to disincentives in which liquidated damages include all reasonable foreseeable damages, including RUC. The reasons for this approach are to prevent RUC from being construed as impermissible security for performance, to avoid double counting RUC, and to reflect the asymmetry in the legal principles justifying disincentives as opposed to incentives. In addition to the aforementioned legal issues, state transport...