cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 4812: Collagen regulation of Snail expression in pancreatic cancer involves TGF-β1 signaling

Pancreatic cancer, the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., is associated with pronounced desmoplastic reaction; however, the role of this collagen-rich fibrotic reaction in pancreatic cancer progression is poorly understood. Previously, we had shown that the collagen increased expression of the key proteinase membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP). Now we show that collagen can also increase expression of the zinc-finger transcription factor Snail to enhance pancreatic cancer invasion. Relative to cells grown on tissue culture plastic, PDAC cells grown in 3D collagen gels induced Snail. As we had previously published that TGF-β1 increases Snail levels, we examined the contribution of TGF-β1 signaling to collagen-induced Snail expression. Inhibiting TGF-β1 signaling with siRNA against TGF-β1 receptor type I (TbRI) or with a highly specific inhibitor of TbRI kinase activity attenuated the effect of collagen on Snail levels. To further examine the role of Snail in PDAC progression, we generated Snail-inducible PDAC cells lines. Expression of Snail in PDAC cells grown in 3D collagen gels enhanced invasion, which was blocked in the presence of the MMP inhibitor GM6001. Overexpression of Snail in PDAC cells increased MT1-MMP, while siRNA against Snail decreased MT1-MMP and also attenuated collagen-induced MT1-MMP expression. Snail expression of MT1-MMP requires ERK1/2 signaling and blocking ERK1/2 phosphorylation inhibited Snail-induced invasion in 3D collagen gels. To provide in vivo support for our findings that Snail can regulate MT1-MMP, we examined the expression of Snail and MT1-MMP in human PDAC tumors and found a statistically significant positive correlation between MT1-MMP and Snail in these tumors. Overall, our data demonstrate that collagen-rich milieu can increase the expression of Snail, and suggests that the desmoplastic reaction actively contributes to PDAC progression. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4812.
Identifying the Ideal Characteristics of the Grafted Polymer Chain Length Distribution for Maximizing Dispersion of Polymer Grafted Nanoparticles in a Polymer Matrix

We investigate, using theory and simulations, the role of the short and long grafted chains in polydisperse polymer grafted nanoparticles in stabilizing particle dispersion in a chemically similar polymer matrix in the presence of particle–particle attractions. The effect of the short and long chains in a polydisperse or bidisperse graft length distribution on the potential of mean force between the polymer grafted nanoparticles is coupled and distinct from their role in the corresponding deconstructed short and long monodisperse distributions. At high grafting density, the increased monomer crowding near the particle surface from both short and long chains maximizes shielding of particle–particle attraction, while the length and crowding of long chains away from the particle surface determine the location, range, and strength of the steric repulsion and midrange attraction. We find that to maximize grafted nanoparticle dispersion, it is best to synthesize grafted particles at high grafting density with p...
Na-Ca exchange in ferret red blood cells.

Ferrets have high Na (140 mmol/l) red blood cells. To determine whether ferret red cells had a Na-Ca exchange system, Na effluxes via the Na + K + 2Cl cotransrpoter and Ca effluxes via the Ca pump had to be inhibited. This was accomplished by replacing cell chloride with nitrate and by loading the cells with vanadate that inhibits the Ca pump. Under these conditions, extracellular Na (Naout) inhibited Ca influx. Intracellular Na (Nain) was required for the large Ca influx as replacement of Na with Li reduced Ca influx to less than one-tenth of the original rate. Caout stimulated Na efflux by about twofold. The Ca efflux from cells depleted of Na was increased from 0.8 to 3.2 mmol.l packed cells-1.h-1 by the presence of Naout. Cells placed in a Na-free solution accumulated Ca: total intracellular Ca was 20-fold higher than free Caout. Most of this Ca was released on addition of the Ca ionophore, A23187. Because the Na gradient had driven net Ca uphill, the fluxes of Na and Ca are coupled. In a Na-free solution, the K1/2 for Ca influx was usually approximately 10 microM (occasionally approximately 100 microM), and the maximal velocity (Vmax was 1.5-4.4 mmol.l packed cells-1.h-1. At Naout = 150 mM, K1/2 increased 5- to 150-fold. In some cells, Naout decreased Vmax by approximately fourfold, suggesting that Naout does not always compete with Caout.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Word-Problem-Solving Strategy for Minority Students at Risk for Math Difficulties.

Minority students at risk for math difficulties (MD) struggle with word problems for various reasons beyond procedural or calculation challenges. As a result, these students require support in reading and language development in addition to math. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a math comprehension strategy based on a dynamic assessment (DA) framework, which provided scaffolding support based on the student’s reading and language levels. A multiple baseline design was used to assess eight third-grade minority students at risk for MD. As compared with the baseline phase, the strategy increased problem-solving ability for all participants. All students maintained performance levels during follow-up sessions. Results suggest that the intervention facilitated word-problem-solving performance.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid and crab muscle fibres.

Eine Reihe von Krabbenmuskeln zeigt zwei Arten von Muskelfasern: «phasische» und «tonische» mit sehr unterschiedlichen Membraneigenschaften. Die phasischen Muskelfasern zeigen verhaltnismassig kleine Permeabilitatsanderungen der Membranen nach Zugabe von GABA oder nach Stimulierung des peripheren hemmenden Axons. Die tonischen Muskelfasern zeigen sehr deutliche Permeabilitatsanderungen nach Zugabe von GABA oder Stimulierung des hemmenden Axons. Die Grundlagen dieses unterschiedlichen Verhaltens werden analysiert.
Development of Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) for Mycoplasma synoviae

SUMMARY Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) is a poultry pathogen that has had an increasing incidence and economic impact over the past few years. Strain identification is necessary for outbreak investigation, infection source identification, and facilitating prevention and control as well as eradication efforts. Currently, a segment of the variable lipoprotein hemagglutinin A (vlhA) gene (420 bp) is the only target that is used for MS strain identification. A major limitation of this assay is that colonality of typed samples can only be inferred if their vlhA sequences are identical; however, if their sequences are different, the degree of relatedness is uncertain. In this study we propose a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) assay to further refine MS strain identification. After initial screening of 24 housekeeping genes as potential targets, seven genes were selected for the MLST assay. An internal segment (450–711 bp) from each of the seven genes was successfully amplified and sequenced from 58 different MS str...
Temporal Memory Traces as Anticipatory Mechanisms

Brains can be considered as goal-seeking correlation systems that use past experience to predict future events so as to guide appropriate behavior. Brains can also be considered as neural signal processing systems that utilize temporal codes, neural timing architectures operating on them, and time-domain, tape-recorder-like memory mechanisms that store and recall temporal spike patterns. If temporal memory traces can also be read out in faster-than-real-time, then these can serve as an advisory mechanism to guide prospective behavior by simulating the neural signals generated from time courses of past events, actions, and the respective hedonic consequences that previously occurred under similar circumstances. Short-term memory stores based on active regeneration of neuronal signals in networks of delay paths could subserve short-term temporal expectancies based on recent history. Polymer-based molecular mechanisms that map time-to-polymer chain position and vice versa could provide vehicles for storing and reading out permanent, long-term memory traces.
Do Southeastern Public Universities Adhere to the ACRL Tenure and Promotion Standards

ABSTRACTFaculty status and tenure are goals for many academic librarians in the Southeast. However, the adoption of tenure differs between institutions. In an effort to discover how much adherence there is to the ACRL Standards for Faculty Status for Academic Librarians, librarians at the University of South Alabama sent a survey to 148 public universities in this region. The results illustrated the significant areas of consensus and where consensus was lacking. The outcome suggested the standards were not fully applied, showed the need for further study, and suggested a reassessment of the ACRL Standards.
Modulation and Control of Charge Transport Through Single-Molecule Junctions

The ability to modulate and control charge transport though single-molecule junction devices is crucial to achieving the ultimate goal of molecular electronics: constructing real-world-applicable electronic components from single molecules. This review aims to highlight the progress made in single-molecule electronics, emphasizing the development of molecular junction electronics in recent years. Among many techniques that attempt to wire a molecule to metallic electrodes, the single-molecule break junction (SMBJ) technique is one of the most reliable and tunable experimental platforms for achieving metal–molecule–metal configurations. It also provides great freedom to tune charge transport through the junction. Soon after the SMBJ technique was introduced, it was extensively used to measure the conductances of individual molecules; however, different conductances were obtained for the same molecule, and it proved difficult to interpret this wide distribution of experimental data. This phenomenon was later found to be mainly due to a lack of precise experimental control and advanced data analysis methods. In recent years, researchers have directed considerable effort into advancing the SMBJ technique by gaining a deeper physical understanding of charge transport through single molecules and thus enhancing its potential applicability in functional molecular-scale electronic devices, such as molecular diodes and molecular transistors. In parallel with that research, novel data analysis methods and approaches that enable the discovery of hidden yet important features in the data are being developed. This review discusses various aspects of molecular junction electronics, from the initial goal of molecular electronics, the development of experimental techniques for creating single-molecule junctions and determining single-molecule conductance, to the characterization of functional current–voltage features and the investigation of physical properties other than charge transport. In addition, the development of advanced data analysis methods is considered, as they are critical to gaining detailed physical insight into the underlying transport mechanisms.
A mathematical model of the rat kidney: K+-induced natriuresis.

A model of the rat nephron (Weinstein. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 308: F1098–F1118, 2015) has been extended with addition of medullary vasculature. Blood vessels contain solutes from the nephron mo...
On the Uses and Abuses of Pleasure for Art

ABSTRACTI ask whether there is a place for apparently displeasurable experiences in a hedonistic aesthetics. Building on an ambiguity in Mohan Matthen's account of facilitating pleasures, I examine how avant-garde artists can use the ‘perverse’ or ‘difficult’ pleasures to force cognitions that are critical in the Marxist sense.
Abstract 5419: The relationship between glutamatergic signaling and altered glutamine metabolism in melanoma

Aberrant glutamatergic signaling has been implicated in many cancer types, and is associated with dysregulated growth leading to cellular transformation and tumorigenesis. Our laboratory has previously illustrated the oncogenic properties of a neuronal receptor, metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (GRM1) in melanocytes. Glutamate is the natural ligand of GRM1 and the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Our group has demonstrated that glutamate production/release is upregulated in GRM1 expressing melanoma cells, resulting in constitutive activation of GRM1 and GRM1-associated downstream signaling pathways. We hypothesize that this activation of GRM1 in melanoma cells is associated with higher expression of c-Myc and increased enzymatic activity of glutaminase (GLS) converting glutamine to glutamate. We showed that reducing the extracellular glutamate levels by an inhibitor of glutamate release, Riluzole, led to significantly reduce melanoma cell proliferation in vitro and tumor progression in vivo. We also demonstrated that inclusion of CB-839, a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable GLS inhibitor, resulted in a significant inhibition of GRM1-expressing melanoma cell proliferation compared to GRM1 negative melanoma cell lines. Interestingly, we found that simultaneous targeting of glutamate production (CB-839) and release (Riluzole) in GRM1 expressing melanoma cells led to enhanced suppression of cell proliferation in vitro. Additionally, we found that wild type BRAF melanoma cells are more sensitive to CB-839 than mutated BRAF cells while responses to Riluzole were independent of BRAF genotypes. Furthermore, our data indicate that CB-839 acts by reducing the function, not the expression, of GLS. Currently, we are investigating the relationship between GRM1, c-Myc and GLS by genetic and pharmacological approaches, and if this cascade of events is linked with altered glutamine metabolisms described for many human cancers including melanoma. Citation Format: Raj Shah, Andrew Boreland, Suzie Chen. The relationship between glutamatergic signaling and altered glutamine metabolism in melanoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5419. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-5419
Repair of Pars Defects and Spondylosis

Defects of the pars interarticularis are predominantly an acquired condition, most often occurring at the L5 level and increasing in prevalence from adolescence to adulthood. On plain lumbar x-rays, the “scotty dog” sign can be diagnostic in 95% of spondylolysis cases. Pars defects can result in debilitating mechanical back pain and degenerative changes that predispose to the development of spondylolisthesis. In the absence of a mobile spondylolisthesis, operative management is indicated in cases of neurological compromise or those who have failed extensive conservative management including reduced activities that promote hyperextension and load bearing. Direct pars defect repair can be performed using pedicle screws attached to sublaminar hooks, Buck’s procedure of laminar screw placement through the defect into the ipsilateral pedicle, and wire fixation.
Delegating for Small Business Success

This research examines specific management practices used by small business owners in five eastern cities. Data collected from 154 firms were analyzed to determine the extent to which business owne...
Exudation rates and δ13C signatures of tree root soluble organic carbon in a riparian forest

Tree root exudation (TRE) of water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) is an important but under-assessed component of net primary production, and is thought to strongly influence rhizosphere biogeochemistry. Riparian systems in particular are often viewed as biogeochemical hot spots fueled partially by root exudate WSOC. However, TRE rates have not been previously reported for these systems. The δ13C signatures of exudates may provide important insights into plant physiology and inform isotope-based methods to identify sources of soil CO2 fluxes, but this information is also generally lacking. In the present study, root exudate WSOC was collected in situ to assess both net exudation rates and exudate δ13C values in a temperate riparian forest. Net TRE rates were found to be most strongly related to a combination of tree species, root characteristics and net ecosystem exchange (Adj. R2 = 0.73; p < 0.001). In contrast, exudate δ13C values were correlated to time-lagged vapor pressure deficit (Adj. R2 = 0.21; p < 0.05) and air temperature (Adj. R2 = 0.43; p < 0.05), suggesting a rapid transfer of photosynthate from the canopy to the rhizosphere. Extrapolation of mean net TRE rates (13 µmol C g root−1 day−1) from a root mass basis to the entire sampling area suggests that TRE may account for as much as 3% of net annual C uptake and represents an important input of organic matter to riparian soils. Our findings of predictable TRE rates and exudate δ13C values in the present study suggest that future studies examining δ13C values of different plant components, soil organic matter and respired soil CO2 would benefit by accounting for the impact of root exudates.
An Effective Target Cell Selection Scheme for Next-Generation Open-Access Femtocell Networks

Femtocell technology is a promising solution for offloading high volume cellular data traffic to low-powered indoor base stations. It allows users to perform a handoff (HO) to a femto base station (FBS) and get high data rate. Despite the importance of selecting a proper target femtocell in open-access femtocell networks, effects of attacks on the target cell selection have not been paid sufficient attention. Unlike traditional cellular networks, attackers can get root access to FBSs and perform a number of attacks utilizing these FBSs. Unfortunately, existing target cell selection and HO decision algorithms are not sufficient to detect or avoid these attacks. Moreover, existing solutions to avoid these attacks in femtocell networks cannot be directly used in the HO scenario. In this paper, we first discuss possible attacks and their effects on femtocell networks during an HO process. In addition, we propose a target cell selection and HO-decision scheme which helps a user to select a trustworthy target femtocell during an HO. As the attacks are unalike in nature, it is hard to come up with a single solution which can avoid all these attacks we consider. We use both received signal strength indicator and location database of FBSs to select a target cell in a way that the probability of HOs to a malicious femtocell is reduced without increasing the HO signaling cost significantly. Additionally, simulation results exhibit significant improvement of the femtocell utilization. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that considers attacks on FBSs during HOs in open-access femtocell networks.
The Death Penalty: A Critical Review of Effectiveness and Equity

Since the execution of Captain George Kendall in 1608, the death penalty has been one of the most debated political issues in contemporary United States history. The capital punishment debate often centers on the usefulness to society. A recurring and pressing question in this debate is; how to best measure the effectiveness of the death penalty and its impact on society? Obviously, if the ultimate goal is to put a person to death then the death penalty, once carried out, is quite effective. However, one would reasonably assume that punishing criminals will have other benefits and even drawbacks. For example, capital punishment may serve as an effective deterrence to future acts of violence or decrease the cost of punishing criminals. Another issue which arises in this debate is the criteria used to select candidates for the death penalty. Obviously, there are clear and well defined criteria used to determine eligibility for the death penalty as prescribed by state laws. The problem here is that the death penalty, far too often, is sought in capital murder cases against defendants from poorer and often politically and socially marginalized sectors of society than more affluent ones. This clearly raises the issue of equity in administration. Finally, one can not negate the fact that once administered the death penalty can not be revoked. Corrective actions can not be taken when and if information surfaces which exonerates an individual of a crime. The purpose of this assessment is to determine the effectiveness of the death penalty. This evaluation will focus primarily on data from Michigan and Texas and will center on cost effectiveness, deterrence, equity in the candidacy process and finally will revisit the constitutionality debate.
Einteilung der Eisenbauwerke

Eine Aufstellung aller in der Praxis vorkommenden Eisenkonstruktionen ist im Anhang dieses Buches gegeben. Sie ist fur uberschlagliche Schatzungen und Kostenermittlungen, sowie fur Kostenvergleiche und statistische Zwecke sehr nutzlich. Bei Schatzung der Kosten eines neu zu errichtenden Bauwerkes werden die in Tabellen zusammengestellten Bureau- und Werkstattkosten ahnlicher Bauwerke, die unter die gleiche Klasse fallen, zum Vergleich herangezogen. Ebenso konnen Kostenvergleiche zwischen verschiedenen Konstruktionen, die unter die gleiche Gattung fallen, zur Ermittlung der wirtschaftlichsten Konstruktion mit Hilfe dieser Aufstellung angestellt werden.
The Ecological Niche in Aquatic Ecosystems

During the early twentieth century, ecologists defined the ecological niche as a set of environmental conditions required by a specific kind of organism, or a set of functions that a particular kind of organism performs in nature. The modern concept of ecological niche was introduced in 1957 by G.E. Hutchinson, who proposed that every environmental factor influencing the welfare of a species can be viewed as a niche axis for that species; all niche axes together define a niche space for the species. Because numerous environmental axes apply to any given species, Hutchinson described the ecological niche as an ‘n-dimensional hypervolume’, thus putting the ecological niche into a mathematical framework. Hutchinson also distinguished the fundamental niche, which consists of all combinations of environmental variables that will support the survival of a species in the absence of competition, from the realized niche, which is the portion of the fundamental niche that a species can occupy when it has competitors. While early experiments and mathematical modeling suggested that species with a strong overlap of niches could not coexist at the same location, the current view of ecologists is that constant changes in the environment shift competitive balances from one species to another so that exclusion of one species by another is much less likely than originally thought. Modern analysis of the ecological niche suggests that only a few of the environmental axes relevant to a species are the basis for most of the competition between similar species, and that any given species is likely to have both advantages and disadvantages in competition with another species of similar type in a given environment. For inland waters, the most important niche dimensions include temperature, dissolved oxygen, habitat structure, plant nutrients, and predation.
Task-Based Evaluation of Image Reconstruction Methods for Defect Detection and Radiation Dose Reduction in Myocardial Perfusion SPECT

We evaluated the ability of conventional and corrective image reconstruction methods to detect a myocardial perfusion defect in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images using the channelized hotelling observer (CHO). Using our previously developed 4-D extended cardiac-torso, we simulated realistic transmural and endocardial perfusion defects in various locations and sizes in the myocardium. Almost noise-free projection datasets were generated separately from the heart, blood pool, lungs, liver, kidneys, stomach, gall bladder, and the remaining body using Monte Carlo simulation techniques that included the effects of collimator detector response, photon attenuation, and scatter. The datasets were then scaled and combined to model 99mTc Sestamibi myocardial perfusion SPECT projection datasets from a typical patient with various reduced count levels, simulating reduced radiation doses. The final projection data were reconstructed using the 3-D filtered back-projection (FBP) without correction and a 3-D ordered-subset expectation-maximization (OS-EM) method with corrections of attenuation, collimator-detector response, and scatter (ADS), followed by smoothing filtering with several different cut-off frequencies. Task-based evaluations on the reconstructed images were performed by using the CHO followed by the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) methodology to evaluate the detectability of a myocardial perfusion defect by the two image reconstruction methods for various defect anatomies. Areas under the ROC curve (AUC) were computed to assess the changes in the detection of myocardial perfusion defects. The results showed that the 3-D OS-EM with ADS correction gave overall higher AUC values than FBP at several post smoothing levels, count levels, and myocardial perfusion defect sizes. The difference in AUC increased as image smoothness decreased, where the 3-D OS-EM with correction was able to provide similar AUC values with 20%–40% reduction in count levels compared to those of FBP. The AUC values for smaller myocardial perfusion defects were lower for both reconstruction methods with smaller differences. We concluded that the 3-D OS-EM with ADS correction provides higher performance in detecting myocardial perfusion defects. At the conventional count level, it allows for less counts or lower radiation doses without loss of defect detection in myocardial perfusion SPECT images compared to the conventional FBP method, especially regarding less smoothed images.
Deep, Broad Null Formation for Canceling Moving RFI in Radio Astronomical Arrays

Radio frequency interference (RFI) is rapidly becoming a major issue for many applications. It is especially problematic for radio astronomy, where signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) are less than unity...
CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor Therapy for Refractory Aggressive B-Cell Lymphoma.

PURPOSEAnti-CD19–directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has had a resounding effect on the treatment of chemotherapy-insensitive aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL). The...
The 4/4 Load and Beyond: Challenges and Solutions for Term Teaching Faculty and Others with Heavy Teaching Loads

What particular challenges do Masonâ€™s Term Teaching Faculty (and others juggling 4/4 andgreater loads) face? How do we cope with those challenges? This discussion, preceded bybrief presentations by the facilitators, will draw on the collective wisdom of participantsto identify challenges, share coping strategies, and brainstorm institutional changes.Anyone is welcome to participate.
A Look to the Interior: Trends in U.S. Immigration Removals by Criminal Conviction Type, Gender, and Region of Origin, Fiscal Years 2003-2015:

Over the past two decades, the U.S. federal government has sought to increase its capacity to find, apprehend, and deport noncitizens residing in the United States who have violated federal immigra...
Adjustment for Urinary Creatinine or Serum Lipids for Analytes Assayed in Pooled Specimens.

Background For case-control studies, pooling biologic specimens (cases with cases and controls with controls) can make it affordable to study a biomarker that is expensive to assay, while conserving quantities of archived specimens. For a fixed number of participants, pooling designs incur little loss of estimation precision, and they can even improve precision by enabling inclusion of more participants with the same number of assays. A limitation that has discouraged the use of these methods in environmental epidemiology, however, is the lack of a valid way to adjust for creatinine (urinary dilution) when assaying a biomarker in urine or to adjust for serum lipids when assaying a lipophilic biomarker in serum. We aimed to develop practical strategies to accomplish those adjustments. Methods Our strategies either differentially dilute specimens before pooling equal aliquots or, alternatively, pool deliberately unequal aliquots from each specimen, where prior determinations of the adjustment factor in each individual specimen inform their differential dilution or unequal aliquot volumes. In addition, we show how to modify these strategies if, instead of just adjusting for creatinine per se, one needs to account for factors that influence creatinine. We carry out simulations under several causal scenarios. Results We demonstrate that the proposed strategies perform well in estimating the same adjusted association parameter as would be estimated by using individually-assayed specimens. Conclusion By implementing the proposed strategies when forming specimen pools, one can greatly improve the efficiency of case-control studies that involve an expensive-to-assay exposure measured in biospecimens.
A heterodox model of healing

A heterodox model of healing incorporating the basic dualism of Western philosophy--the world of concrete material substance versus that of thought, ideals, and spirit--is proposed. Such dualism is reflected in Western constructions of healing. An explanatory paradigm model with a horizontal axis representing paradigms of healing from positivism to metaphysics and a vertical axis representing activities of healing from the material to the spiritual was derived from ethnographic work with healers. A health practice model following the same philosophical patterns illustrates reflected American cultural values in the relative positioning of healing modalities from the orthodox biomedical to the most metaphysical or alternative. Examples of specific modalities of healing, many of which are resurfacing with increasing public interest in alternative therapies, are illustrated. This model places biomedicine in the same context as other philosophical approaches to healing as a standard for comparison. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
Wake-up Stroke: New Opportunities for Acute Stroke Treatment

This review summarizes the current science underpinning the treatment of patients with ischemic stroke who awaken with stroke symptoms. This large subset of stroke patients has historically been precluded from treatment with disability-limiting reperfusion therapies such as intravenous thrombolysis. Recent advances in neuroimaging have shifted the paradigm of treatment based upon rigid time-based criteria to treatment guided by evidence of salvageable ischemic penumbra on advanced imaging. Several recent randomized controlled trials provide evidence that imaging-guided treatment of wake-up and uncertain onset stroke patients is feasible and effective. Thrombectomy trials have demonstrated dramatic clinical benefit for this treatment modality as many as 24 h from the time patients were last known to be well. Furthermore, appropriately selected wake-up stroke patients beyond 4.5 h from last known well may also benefit from intravenous thrombolysis. The evaluation and optimal treatment of patients with ischemic stroke is rapidly evolving, creating a moving target for stroke systems of care. Incorporating this new evidence into practice requires re-examination of how patients with stroke symptoms are evaluated and will challenge regional systems to design mechanisms to ensure rapid access to advanced imaging and treatment options.
Vascular Cellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and Memory Impairment in African-Americans after Small Vessel-Type Stroke.

Abstract Background: African-Americans (AA) are 3 times more likely to have small-vessel-type ischemic strokes (SVS) than Whites. Small vessel strokes are associated with cognitive impairment, a relationship incompletely explained by white matter hyperintensity (WMH) burden. We examined whether inflammatory/endothelial dysfunction biomarkers are associated with cognition after SVS in AAs. Methods: Biomarkers were obtained in 24 subjects (median age 56.5 years, 54% women, median 12 years education). Cognition was assessed more than 6 weeks poststroke using the memory composite score (MCS), which was generated using recall from the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-II and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised. A semi-automated, volumetric protocol was used to quantify WMH volume (WMHv) on clinical MRI scans. Potential biomarkers including vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, interleukin-10, interferon gamma, and thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) were log-transformed and correlated with MCS with adjustment for potential confounders. Results: Among serum biomarkers, only VCAM-1-correlated with poorer memory based on the MCS (r = −.659; P = .0006). VCAM-1 (r = .554; P = .005) and age (r = .479; P = .018) correlated with WMHv; VCAM-1 was independently associated with MCS after adjustment for WMHv, age, and education (P = .023). Conclusions: The findings of this exploratory analysis suggest that endothelial dysfunction and inflammation as reflected by VCAM-1 levels may play a role in poststroke cognitive impairment. Additional studies are needed to validate this observation and to evaluate this relationship in non-AAs and with other stroke types and compare this finding to cognitive impairment in nonstroke populations.
From Petri Nets to colored Petri Nets: a tutorial introduction to nets based formalism for modeling and simulation

Petri Net, a widely studied mathematical formalism, is a graphical notation for modeling systems. Petri Nets provide the foundation for modeling concurrency, communication, synchronization, and resource sharing constraints that are inherent to many systems. However, Petri Nets do not scale well when it comes to modeling and simulating large systems. Colored Petri Nets (CPNs) extend Petri Nets with a high level programming language, making them more suitable for modeling large systems. The CPN language allows the creation of models as a set of modules in a hierarchical manner and permits both timed and untimed models. Untimed models are used to validate the logical correctness of a system, whereas timed models are used to evaluate performance. This tutorial introduces the reader to the vocabulary and constructs of both Petri Nets and CPNs and illustrates the use of CPN Tools in creating and simulating models by means of familiar simple examples.
Vietnam Construction Industry Performance Issues and Potential Solutions

This paper provides a literature review assessing the performance and issues of delivering construction services in the Vietnam Construction Industry (VCI). The research also explores a potential solution that could improve the performance of the VCI. The results show multiple non-performance issues that the VCI has experienced in the past 15 years, and presents a comparison between these issues and issues from other countries. The results reveal that the top 5 non-performance issues in the VCI include poor design services, frequent design changes, lack of skilled contractors, a lack of experienced project managers, and financial difficulties of owners. The comparison identifies that 87% of VCI issues were also experienced in other countries. Since the VCI has similar issues as other countries, the author propose that the VCI can improve construction performance by implementing successful methodologies from other countries. This paper investigates the Best Value Performance Information Procurement System (BV PIPS) as a potential solution because of two key aspects: (1) sufficient documentation of on time, on budget, and high customer satisfaction from this model, and (2) sufficient testing from other regions and countries to show similar improvement in construction performance.
Vertebral Augmentation Procedures for Treatment of Pathologic Vertebral Body Fractures

Pathologic vertebral compression fractures (VCF) are relatively common in patients with metastatic cancer and can significantly affect quality of life. Historically, these painful and sometimes debilitating fractures have been treated conservatively with pain medications and bracing. Minimally invasive vertebral augmentation procedures (VAP), including vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, are now available and have been proven to alleviate pain and improve quality of life for select patients. Diagnosing symptomatic pathologic compression fractures and identifying those patients who would benefit from VAP in a timely manner are essential. This includes understanding the potential complications and absolute contraindications of VAP so as to minimize the potential risks while carefully selecting those patients who are likely to benefit based on their clinical history, physical exam findings, and diagnostic imaging. Radiofrequency ablation is a recently described procedure that can be performed as a stand-alone therapy or in conjunction with VAP for pathologic VCF to provide pain relief and potentially aid in local tumor control.
Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of Coleus aromaticus leaf extract

Abstract The methanolic extract of the shade dried powder of the Coleus aromaticus leaves, which is under drought stress, was isolated and the different fractions of the extract (n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, ethanol and water) were collected using column chromatography. By employing Clevenger apparatus, the essential oil of the leaves was also separated out. The pure methanolic extract, the different fractions of the extract and the essential oil have been screened for the antimicrobial activity against human pathogenic bacterium, Vibreo cholera and the fungus, Aspergillus niger. The results indicated that the methanolic extract and the essential oil of Coleus aromaticus leaves showed higher inhibitory activity against Vibreo cholera compared to the different fractions. The preliminary phytochemical analysis of the methanolic extract was also done. The study also aimed to determine the β-carotene content in the powdered leaves using UV–Visible Spectrophotometer and the heavy metals content using AAS.
Diseases of Despair and Social Capital: Findings from a Population-Based Survey on Opioid Misuse among Adolescents.

Deaths related to opioid overdose have increased substantially in the past few years, raising concerns about how to combat this public health emergency. Objectives: We investigated the association ...
Proximal digit tip amputation initiates simultaneous blastema and transient fibrosis formation and results in partial regeneration

Complete extremity regeneration in mammals is restricted to distal amputations of the digit tip, the terminal phalanx (P3). In mice, P3 regeneration is mediated via the formation of a blastema, a transient population of progenitor cells that form from the blending of periosteal and endosteal/marrow compartmentalized cells that undergo differentiation to restore the amputated structures. Compartmentalized blastema cells are formed independently, and periosteal compartment-derived cells are required for restoration of amputated skeletal length. P3 regenerative capacity is progressively attenuated at increasingly more proximal amputation levels, eventually resulting in regenerative failure. The continuum of regenerative capacity within the P3 wound milieu is a unique model to investigate mammalian blastema formation in response to distal amputation, as well as the healing response associated with regenerative failure at proximal amputation levels. We report that P3 proximal amputation healing, previously reported to result in regenerative failure, is not an example of complete regenerative failure, but instead is characterized by a limited bone regeneration response restricted to the endosteal/marrow compartment. The regeneration response is mediated by blastema formation within the endosteal/marrow compartment, and blastemal osteogenesis progresses through intramembranous ossification in a polarized proximal to distal sequence. Unlike bone regeneration following distal P3 amputation, osteogenesis within the periosteal compartment is not observed in response to proximal P3 amputation. We provide evidence that proximal P3 amputation initiates the formation of fibrotic tissue that isolates the endosteal/marrow compartment from the periosteal compartment and wound epidermis. While the fibrotic response is transient and later resolved, these studies demonstrate that blastema formation and fibrosis can occur in close proximity, with the regenerative response dominating the final outcome. Moreover, the results suggest that the attenuated proximal P3 regeneration response is associated with the absence of periosteal-compartment participation in blastema formation and bone regeneration.
Conducting Sensitive Research with Teens in the U.S. Foster Care System

Karla’s dissertation research will include an investigation of: 1) how foster parents mediate foster teens’ technology use at home, 2) how foster youth experience sexual risks online, and 3) foster youth’s designs for effective interventions that can protect them from serious online risks. Thus far, I interviewed 29 foster parents on their experiences with mediating their foster teens’ technology use. In conducting this research, my advisor and I have encountered several challenges related to: 1) recruitment, consent, and assent, 2) sensitive data, 3) confidentiality and privacy, and 4) embedding inclusivity in design. My goal in attending this workshop is to find a support network of researchers that can mentor me on actionable ways to incorporate new research practices to address the challenges outlined in this position paper.
Comparison of uniaxial and triaxial accelerometer outputs among individuals with and without Down syndrome.

Background Using uniaxial accelerometry approach in measuring physical activity levels of individuals with Down syndrome (DS) might underestimate their energy expenditure due to the unique mediolateral walking pattern. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine and compare the relationship between two types of accelerometer outputs, uniaxial and triaxial, and energy expenditure in individuals with and without DS. Methods Eighteen participants with DS and 19 participants without DS wore a GT3X+ accelerometer and a portable metabolic system in three different walking conditions. Results Correlations between V O 2 and each of the two accelerometer outputs (uniaxial: r = 0.75, triaxial: r = 0.75) were not significantly different among individuals without DS (z = 0.14, P = 0.89); however, significant differences in the relationship between V O 2 and accelerometer outputs (uniaxial: r = 0.53, triaxial: r = 0.64) were observed among individuals with DS (z = -1.72, P Conclusions The findings suggest that when using accelerometers to measure physical activity levels for individuals with DS, triaxial outputs may better predict physical activity levels.
Combined Petrosal Approach for Resection of a Large Trigeminal Schwannoma With Meckel's Cave Involvement-Part I: Anatomic Rationale and Analysis: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Resection of large trigeminal schwannomas involving both posterior and middle cranial fossae is challenging. The depth of the surgical target in the superomedial corner of the cerebellopontine angle and the petrous apex makes for a difficult lesion to favorably access, expose, and safely resect. Judicious planning of a skull base approach is therefore the most crucial step in successful management of these formidable tumors. When properly chosen, planned, and executed, the combined petrosal approach sets the stage for an optimal exposure of such tumors that involve both posterior and middle cranial fossae. The present video is the first of a 2-part video presentation that explains the anatomic rationale of selecting a combined petrosal approach (anterior petrosectomy and retrolabyrinthine petrosectomy) for the resection of a large trigeminal schwannoma involving the posterior and middle cranial fossae with an extension into Meckel's cave in a 54-yr-old female presenting with 5-yr history of increasing headaches, left-sided face numbness, and disequilibrium. The benefits, risks, and alternatives of the surgical procedure were discussed in detail with the patient and she consented to proceed with surgery. Part I also discusses the important nuances of positioning the patient, as well as planning and execution of the skin incision, including pericranial flap harvesting. Of note, the patient consented to the publication of images obtained from her.
Evaluation of the Perceived Barriers and Facilitators to Timely Extubation of Critically Ill Adults: An Interprofessional Survey.

Background Spontaneous breathing trials (SBTs) are an evidence-based way of identifying patients ready for mechanical ventilation (MV) liberation. Despite their effectiveness, global SBT performance rates remain suboptimal, and many patients who demonstrate the ability to breathe on their own remain on MV. The factors that influence clinicians' decision to discontinue MV following a successful SBT remain unclear. Aims The aim of this study was to explore the underlying causes of extubation delays in the intensive care unit (ICU) from an interprofessional perspective. Methods An exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional design was used. An online survey was administered in December 2019 to clinicians practicing in three ICUs at a single medical center in the U.S. Survey questions focused on clinicians' perceptions of current MV liberation practices and perceived barriers or facilitators to timely extubation after a successful SBT. Results Of 425 eligible clinicians, 135 completed the survey (31.7% response rate). The majority of clinicians believed the current SBT and extubation process took too long (n = 108; 80.0%) and that this delay negatively affected patient outcomes. While professional groups differed in their rankings of importance, factors perceived to contribute to extubation delays most commonly included SBT timing, low provider confidence levels in making extubation decisions, and patient-specific factors. Potential strategies to overcome these barriers included developing an automated extubation protocol, performing SBTs when the provider responsible for final extubation decisions is physically present, and decreasing clinician perception of reprimand or condemnation for failed extubations. Linking evidence to action The MV liberation process is complex and dependent on the decisions of various ICU professionals. Clinicians perceive a number of potentially modifiable provider- and organizational-level factors that cause extubation delays in everyday practice. Understanding and addressing these barriers is essential for improving ICU quality and patient outcomes. Future research should explore the effect of nurse and respiratory therapist-driven extubation protocols on MV liberation rates.