cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radiation Sensitivity in a Preclinical Mouse Model of Medulloblastoma Relies on the Function of the Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

While treatments that induce DNA damage are commonly used as anticancer therapies, the mechanisms through which DNA damage produces a therapeutic response are incompletely understood. Here we have tested whether medulloblastomas must be competent for apoptosis to be sensitive to radiotherapy. Whether apoptosis is required for radiation sensitivity has been controversial. Medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor in children, is a biologically heterogeneous set of tumors typically sensitive to radiation and chemotherapy; 80% of medulloblastoma patients survive long-term after treatment. We used functional genetic studies to determine whether the intrinsic apoptotic pathway is required for radiation to produce a therapeutic response in mice with primary, Shh-driven medulloblastoma. We found that cranial radiation extended the survival of medulloblastoma-bearing mice and induced widespread apoptosis. Expression analysis and conditional deletion studies showed that Trp53 (p53) was the predominant transcriptional regulator activated by radiation and was strictly required for treatment response. Deletion of Bax, which blocked apoptosis downstream of p53, was sufficient to render tumors radiation resistant. In apoptosis-incompetent, Bax-deleted tumors, radiation activated p53-dependent transcription without provoking cell death and caused two discrete populations to emerge. Most radiated tumor cells underwent terminal differentiation. Perivascular cells, however, quickly resumed proliferation despite p53 activation, behaved as stem cells, and rapidly drove recurrence. These data show that radiation must induce apoptosis in tumor stem cells to be effective. Mutations that disable the intrinsic apoptotic pathways are sufficient to impart radiation resistance. We suggest that medulloblastomas are typically sensitive to DNA-damaging therapies, because they retain apoptosis competence. Cancer Res; 76(11); 3211–23. ©2016 AACR.
390 PANEL MENTORING: A PILOT PROJECT OF FEASIBILITY AND SUCCESS COMPARED WITH TRADITIONAL ONE-ON-ONE MENTORING.

Purpose Although mentorship is vital for fostering the careers of general internists, many of the Society of General Internal Medicine9s (SGIM) members do not participate in its one-on-one mentoring opportunities. The Southern region offered innovative “panel mentoring” sessions at its 2006 meeting to establish feasibility and acceptability. Methods Registrants of the Southern SGIM meeting interested in a panel mentoring opportunity participated in 30-minute panel mentoring sessions composed of one mentee and four mentors with varying areas of expertise and interest. All sessions were tape recorded for content, and participants completed questionnaires related to the feasibility and acceptability of the panel mentoring format. Results Nine mentees and 11 mentors participated in the sessions. All of the mentees either strongly agreed or agreed that the sessions were useful and enjoyable, had well-matched mentors, and were feasible. One hundred percent of the mentees would recommend the sessions to others, and 67% preferred panel mentoring over traditional one-on-one mentoring, even though only 33% had participated in traditional mentoring sessions at SGIM meetings. Overall, the sessions were rated a 1.2 (with 1 being excellent and 5 being poor). Ninety-seven percent of mentors either strongly agreed or agreed that the sessions were feasible, 65% strongly agreed or agreed that they helped the mentee, 85% strongly agreed or agreed that they enjoyed the sessions, and 79% strongly agreed or agreed that the mentee was a good match for the panel mentors. Overall, the sessions were rated1.3 using the same scale as above. Conclusions Based on our pilot data, the evidence would support further research into the innovative panel mentoring concept using more volunteers as mentees and mentors. Panel mentoring might be attractive to many as an alternative or in addition to traditional one-on-one mentoring offered by SGIM at its meetings.
Returning to School Following Sport-Related Concussion

Following sport-related concussion, the priorities for student athletes are return to school and extracurricular activities. Consensus-based practice recommendations emphasize rest and gradual resumption of activities. Specific evidence-based recommendations are not available. This article provides recommendations, strategies, and a general approach to the recovery process. Most youth recover clinically and return to their normal activities within the first month following injury. It is best to avoid prolonged time off from school and restrictions on social and recreational activities because these might result in adverse consequences, such as life stress, depression, and falling behind in school.
Codon-specific binding of deacylated transfer ribonucleic acid to ribosomes.

An assay procedure was devised for obtaining quantitative estimates of deacylated transfer RNA binding to ribosomes. With this assay, the codon responses of several tRNA species were examined, and the results indicated that binding of tRNA is codon-specific. Extensive studies were carried out on the binding of tRNA which accepts phenylalanine (tRNA p he) in response to polyuridylic acid (poly U). With limiting concentrations of tRNA, poly U directed the binding of approximately 80 to 90% of the available tRNA p he. Binding of tRNA p he was dependent upon ribosomes, Mg++, poly U, and tRNA. Tetracycline reduced poly U-directed binding of tRNA p he by approximately 50%. This suggests that, in the absence of the drug, some of the ribosome-bound tRNA p he is at the aminoacyl binding site.
Arthritis and Foodborne Bacteria.

Diarrheic episodes caused by the foodborne pathogens Campylobacter , Salmonella , Shigella or Yersinia may lead to a sterile arthritis such as reactive arthritis, Reiter's syndrome or ankylosing spondylitis. Reiter's syndrome and reactive arthritis have been shown to be sequelae in a few well-studied bacterial food poisoning outbreaks. Reactive arthritis, Reiter's syndrome and ankylosing spondylitis show strong familial association related to the gene for HLA-B27 (HLA = human leucocyte antigen) antigen. Why HLA-B27-positive individuals are more susceptible to arthritis is not known, but molecular mimicry between the HLA-B27 antigen and antigens of triggering bacteria has been demonstrated and this mimicry has been proposed as a mechanism involved in etiology of the arthritides. Antigens from bacteria that triggered the arthritis are present in arthritic joints but bacterial cells are not found. Antibodies and T-cells specific for the triggering bacteria have been demonstrated in arthritic patients. T-cells present in synovial joints respond specifically to the particular arthritic triggering pathogen. The cells that respond to bacterial antigens belong to the T-cell subset TH1 that secrete a limited number of cytokines but it is not known if cytokines are involved in arthritis. A few studies have demonstrated that T-cells from the joints of arthritic patients respond to both bacterial and human heat shock proteins indicating that autoimmunity may be involved in causation of arthritis. While only about 2% of a population exposed to a triggering infection will acquire arthritis, these individuals undergo pain and suffering as well as economic hardships as a result of their disease.
Capture of submicrometer particles in a pressurized electrostatic precipitator

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the influence of gas pressure on the submicrometer particle capture performance of an electrostatic precipitator (ESP). Current-voltage characteristics and particle capture performance of the ESP were studied in air and in simulated flue gas (SFG) under 1, 2, and 3 atm. Using negative corona and air as the feed gas, the penetration of most particles of 40–400 nm in diameter decreased from 8 × 10−4 − 2 × 10−2 to 2 × 10−4 − 1 × 10−2 as pressure increased from 1 atm to 3 atm at constant current; and increased from 3 × 10−5 − 1 × 10−3 to 2 × 10−4 − 1 × 10−2 as pressure was elevated when the voltage was held roughly constant. Similar type of disparity under different pressures was also observed for positive corona and for SFG. Experiments set up to capture fly ash in the ESP showed that with constant current, higher pressure resulted in a higher initial charge fraction of the particles from the furnace, which could facilitate the penetration of fly ash particles. A semiempirical...
Methionine Metabolites in Patients With Sepsis.

Objective:Sepsis is characterized by microvascular dysfunction and thrombophilia. Several methionine metabolites may be relevant to this sepsis pathophysiology. S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) serves as the methyl donor for trans-methylation reactions. S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) is the by-product of these reactions and serves as the precursor to homocysteine. Relationships between plasma total homocysteine concentrations (tHcy) and vascular disease and thrombosis are firmly established. We hypothesized that SAM, SAH, and tHcy levels are elevated in patients with sepsis and associated with mortality.Methods:This was a combined case–control and prospective cohort study consisting of 109 patients with sepsis and 50 control participants without acute illness. The study was conducted in the medical and surgical intensive care units of the University of Rochester Medical Center. Methionine, SAM, SAH, and tHcy concentrations were compared in patients with sepsis versus control participants and in sepsis survivors v...
On What There is

It must be granted that if the object-domain of metaphysics is the particular objects amenable to sense experience and known as “physical objects,” then the object-domain of metaphysics is not unique and it is better to turn the whole matter over to the empirical sciences. Were this so those who have urged that this be done because all metaphysicsl statements are either empirical and as a consequence belong to scientific languages or emotive and therefore are noncognitive, would be correct. But in one sense of the word ‘empirical’ it is not correct to say “all empirical statements belong to natural science.”
Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted digital subtraction maps combined with diffusion MRI to identify recurrent glioblastoma patients that benefit from bevacizumab therapy.

2008^ Background: Bevacizumab is an anti-angiogenic therapy approved for recurrent glioblastoma (GBM); however, use of bevacizumab remains controversial. In the current study we demonstrate that re...
Inventory Management by Corporate Bond Dealers

In over-the-counter markets, dealer willingness to hold inventory is synonymous with liquidity provision. Using actively-traded corporate bonds over 2005-2014, I show that dealers often avoid taking bonds into inventory by prearranging trades. Dealers who take longer to unwind inventory prearrange more trades. Investors receive higher prices selling to dealers who prearrange trades and pay lower prices buying from them. Dealers unwind inventory mostly through interdealer trades. After the Volcker Rule was finalized, dealers were more reluctant to takes bonds into inventory, were more likely to offset trades within a day, and unwound inventory positions more quickly.
Microparticle tracking velocimetry as a tool for microfluidic flow measurements

The accurate measurement of flows in microfluidic channels is important for commercial and research applications. We compare the accuracy of flow measurement techniques over a wide range flows. Flow measurements made using holographic microparticle tracking velocimetry (µPTV) and a gravimetric flow standard over the range of 0.5–100 nL/s agree within 0.25%, well within the uncertainty of the two flow systems. Two commercial thermal flow sensors were used as the intermediaries (transfer standards) between the two flow measurement systems. The gravimetric flow standard was used to calibrate the thermal flow sensors by measuring the rate of change of the mass of liquid in a beaker on a micro-balance as it fills. The holographic µPTV flow measurements were made in a rectangular channel and the flow was seeded with 1 µm diameter polystyrene spheres. The volumetric flow was calculated using the Hagen–Pouiseille solution for a rectangular channel. The uncertainty of both flow measurement systems is given. For the gravimetric standard, relative uncertainty increased for decreasing flows due to surface tension forces between the pipette carrying the flow and the free surface of the liquid in the beaker. The uncertainty of the holographic µPTV measurements did not vary significantly over the measured flow range, and thus comparatively are especially useful at low flow velocities.
Interactions of oxygen with surfaces of cadmium sulfide single crystals

The surface photo-voltage of cadmium sulfide, after bake-out in high vacuum, increases irreversibly with increasing oxygen pressure. At a given pressure, the surface photo-voltage is proportional to the logarithm of the light intensity, which is also true for unbaked crystals. Saturation of the photo-voltage was not obtained, even for light intensities as high as 5 × 1018quantacm2 sec. Parallel experiments on the photo-enhanced reaction of oxygen with CdS surfaces permit the elucidation of some of the possible effects. Thermally induced defects have helped to distinguish several processes which occur at room temperature : (a) a very slow uptake of oxygen in the dark over many days ; (b) a photo-promoted desorption of oxygen from incompletely outgassed crystals ; (c) a photo-promoted, irreversible uptake of oxygen, after rigorous outgassing of the crystal at 400°C; (d) a photo-desorption of oxygen from crystals in which thermally created defects have combined with oxygen.
Parametric dependence of large disturbance response and relationship to stability boundary

This paper considers a system of ordinary differential equations subject to a parameter-dependent disturbance. The goal is to find the boundary in parameter space between parameter values for which the system will recover from the disturbance to a desired stable equilibrium point, and parameter values for which it will not recover. If the system state when the disturbance clears, call it the initial condition, depends continuously on parameter value, then it seems plausible that this parameter space boundary would consist of parameter values whose corresponding initial conditions lie on the boundary of the region of attraction (RoA) of the desired stable equilibrium point (SEP). Unfortunately, this is not true in general since, even when the system's vector field varies smoothly with parameter value, the boundary of the RoA of the SEP may not vary even continuously with respect to small parameter variations. This work shows that, for a large class of vector fields which generalize Morse-Smale vector fields, the RoA boundary varies continuously in an appropriate sense with respect to small parameter variations. Furthermore, it has been shown elsewhere that the RoA boundary for these vector fields is equal to the union of the stable manifolds of the equilibria and periodic orbits they contain. A complete argument is provided here that this decomposition into stable manifolds persists under small changes in parameter for the vector fields under consideration. The above results are applied to provide a theoretical basis for a numerical algorithm which computes parameter values which lie on the desired parameter space boundary.
New Designs for Clinical Trials

Designs for clinical trials have undergone little change in the past 30 years. Nonetheless, conventional designs have numerous inadequacies. Because it fails to use all available information accumulated during the trial and typically has an insufficient sample size, the 3+3 phase 1 design is often unlikely to select the correct dose implied in the 3+3 algorithm. The design fails to account for covariates, thus assuming, despite evidence to the contrary, that dose is the only determinant of toxicity. It does not monitor response, thus failing to recognize the phase 2 aspects of phase 1 trials and the phase 1 aspects of phase 2 trials; rather these features are often addressed in an ad hoc fashion. Phase 2 trials similarly ignore the realities of medical practice. Thus, although patients are interested in frequent data analyses, standard designs discourage these because of the connection between p-value and trial design and the desire to maintain a specified final p-value. In addition to being inadequately adaptive, phase 2 designs are frequently concerned with only a single outcome. Here we propose remedies for the shortcomings noted above. Such solutions are based on the Bayesian paradigm.
MicroRNAs in Epithelial Antimicrobial Immunity

The importance of microRNAs (miRNA) in regulating immunity is becoming increasingly apparent as more miRNA targets are discovered and the molecular mechanisms underlying miRNA gene regulation becomes unraveled. miRNA are abundant and their expression is finely controlled in human epithelial cells at skin and mucosal sites. Recent studies indicate that miRNAs appear to regulate a diverse spectrum of epithelial cell functions including maintaining epithelial barrier integrity, refining intracellular signaling, and controlling epithelial immune responses to inflammatory stimuli and pathogens. Expanding our knowledge of the role of miRNA in epithelial immunoregulation as well as identifying miRNAs of pathogenetic significance will enhance our knowledge of epithelial immunobiology and immunopathology. This chapter will review recent advances in the identification and expression of epithelial cell miRNAs and highlight the functional significance of miRNA expression in immunoregulation of epithelial antimicrobial defense.
The impact of ground-based glaciogenic seeding on a shallow stratiform cloud over the Sierra Madre in Wyoming: A multi-sensor study of the 3 March 2012 case

Abstract A case study is presented of the impact of ground-based glaciogenic seeding on a shallow, lightly precipitating orographic storm with abundant supercooled cloud droplets, but few ice particles. The storm was observed on 3 March 2012 as part of the AgI (silver iodide) Seeding Cloud Impact Investigating (ASCII) experiment in Wyoming. The cloud base temperature was about −9 °C, and cloud tops were at about −16 °C. The high concentration of small droplets and low ice particle concentration lead to natural snow growth, mainly by vapor diffusion. The question addressed here is whether the injection of ice nucleating particles (AgI) enhanced snow growth and snowfall. The treated (seeded) period is compared with the preceding untreated (noseeded) period, and natural trends (observed in an adjacent control region) are removed. The main target site, located on a mountain pass at an elevation above cloud base, was impacted by AgI seeding, according to a trace chemistry analysis of freshly fallen snow. Data from three radar systems were used: the Wyoming Cloud Radar, two Ka-band profiling Micro-Rain Radars, and a X-band scanning Doppler-on-Wheels (DOW) radar. Composite data from these radar systems and from gauges in the target area indicate an increase in low-level reflectivity and precipitation rate during seeding. This finding generally agrees with other published ASCII case studies. The increase in reflectivity during seeding in the target area appears to be due mainly to an increase in particle size (aggregation), not number concentration, as suggested by DOW differential reflectivity and by disdrometer and Cloud Particle Imager measurements on the ground.
Abstract 089: Dopamine D 2 Receptor is Associated with Inverse Salt Sensitivity

Our previous studies of salt sensitivity of blood pressure have demonstrated that approximately 11% of study participants have a paradoxical increase in blood pressure (> or = to 7-mm Hg) on a low NaCl diet (defined as inverse salt sensitivity (ISS)). However the mechanisms responsible for this effect are not known. We demonstrated that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the dopamine type 2 receptor (D 2 R) (RS6276 and 6267) are highly associated with ISS ( P values of 1.0х10 –2 and 3.8х10 –2 with odds ratios of 0.32 and 0.48 in unadjusted regression models, respectively). The C allele at both sites confers protection. The D 2 R is strongly expressed throughout the cytoplasm of proximal tubule cells in human kidney tissue slices. We also cultured RPTC from the urine from 4 salt resistant (SR) and 3 ISS participants enrolled in our clinical salt sensitivity studies. We hypothesize that D 2 R containing SNPs have altered receptor expression, and altered signaling compared to wild type controls. ISS participants were homozygous variant for the two D 2 R alleles and showed more D 2 R expression than SR RPTC heterozygous variant (HV) for the two alleles (ISS: 1.166±0.059 n=3 vs SR: 0.969±0.024 n=4, P 2 R expression was increased when the ISS cells were stimulated by a non-selective D 2 R agonist bromocriptine to a greater extent in the D 2 R SNP cell lines (ISS: VEH 1.166±0.059, vs bromocriptine 1.474 ± 0.040, n=3, P 2 R agonist (sumanirole) to stimulate wild-type and SNPed cells, and the results demonstrated no effect in the cells with wild type D 2 R but an increase in ROS in cells heterozygous for the D 2 R SNPs (SNP: VEH 38,364±1,266, sumanirole 50,926 ± 3,310, VS WT: VEH 34,562±1,831 sumanirole 34,435 ± 1,614 RFU n=12, P 2 R found in ISS urine cells. We hypothesize that SNPs in the D 2 R lead to increased reactive oxygen species which has previously been associated with renal fibrosis and hypertension.
Pharmacy educator evaluation of web-based learning.

Background Web-based learning (WBL), instruction facilitated through the Internet, has demonstrated utility in classroom and clinical education settings; however, there is a void of literature about the use of WBL by clinical educators within pharmacy. The purpose of this research is to evaluate a WBL initiative within clinical pharmacy education. Methods Based on the results of a pilot survey, 10 asynchronous WBL clinical modules (videos and interactive patient cases) were developed for pharmacy educators and students in clinical education affiliated with two schools of pharmacy in the midwest USA. A 21-item, cross-sectional, electronic survey was administered to pharmacy educators within acute and primary care to assess the use of WBL within clinical pharmacy education. Results Of the 115 eligible clinical educators, 69 participated in the survey (60% response rate), with the majority working within acute care; 38% of educators encouraged the use of WBL. Respondents not using WBL stated a lack of awareness (48%) or existing student time commitments (33%) as reasons. For educators encouraging WBL, 87% agreed that it enhanced student clinical knowledge, 68% stated that it decreased direct instruction time commitments and 100% stated they would encourage its use for future clinical education. Conclusions Clinical pharmacy educators reported that the WBL initiative resulted in a perceived stronger student clinical foundation, and all pharmacy educators using WBL encouraged its continued use for future clinical education. Web-based learning provides clinical educators with a learning tool to augment clinical experiences by reinforcing student knowledge, at the same time minimising direct instruction time.
Single Center Experience in the Management of Cardiogenic Shock Using Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices - Impella CP, Impella 5.0, IABP, and ECMO

Purpose Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) devices are generally needed in the management of cardiogenic shock (CS). The goal of this study was to assess the 30 day mortality among patients supported by 3 types of MCS devices: IABP, ECMO and Impella. Methods Between May 1, 2017 and May 31, 2018, 111 patients were treated with MCS for CS at 2 sites in Milwaukee, an academic institution and a community hospital. Preexisting conditions and indicators of CS severity included diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, renal insufficiency, dialysis, heart failure, prior MI, prior PCI, transfer from an outside hospital, and need for inotropes or vasopressors. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model mortality with the device types as predictors. Adjustment for significant predictors based on the univariate tables was performed. Patients who received multiple devices were assessed independently. Results From these 111 patients, 28% received IABP, 33% received ECMO, and 23.4% received Impella 5.0. Overall there was a 66% survival to 30 days. There was a trend in increased severity of CS in patients who received Impella 5.0, but not significant. Dialysis was a strong predictor of mortality across all device types, 33% of patients with dialysis survived to 30 days, compared to 83% of patients who did not require dialysis (p-value = Conclusion ECMO had the highest mortality (75% with ECMO, 24.4% without ECMO, p-value = 0.001), but when controlled for disease severity, there was no significance. Heart rate and dialysis were the strongest indicators of mortality across all device types. After adjusting for heart rate and dialysis, the odds of 30-day mortality comparing patients who received vs. did not receive ECMO were not significantly different (aOR 1.6, p = 0.77). There was a trend which showed Impella to have best in-hospital survival after controlling for severity of disease, but this was not significant.
Iron Deficiency Is Associated with Adverse Outcomes in Pediatric Heart Failure.

Objective To evaluate the prevalence of iron deficiency and its association with outcomes in children with heart failure. Study design A single-center retrospective cohort study of patients with heart failure aged 1-21 years from July 2012 to June 2017 with available serum iron studies was performed. Subjects were analyzed in 2 groups: biventricular systolic heart failure (BiV) and single-ventricle congenital heart disease with systolic heart failure (SV). Iron deficiency was defined as ≥2 of the following: serum iron 300 ng/mL, or transferrin saturation Results Of the 107 subjects (77 BiV, 30 SV) included in the study, 56% were iron deficient. Demographics, etiology of heart failure, and chronicity of heart failure symptoms were not associated with iron deficiency. On multivariable analysis, in group BiV, iron deficiency was associated with CAE at 3 months (79% iron deficiency in CAE group vs 37% iron deficiency in non-CAE, P = .001, OR 7, 95% CI 2-21) and 6 months (76% iron deficiency in CAE vs 35% iron deficiency in non-CAE, P = .002, OR 7, 95% CI 2-24). In group SV, iron deficiency was associated with CAE at 6 months (79% iron deficiency in CAE vs 29% iron deficiency in non-CAE, P = .014, OR 8, 95% CI 2-32). Conclusions Iron deficiency was present in 56% of the pediatric patients with heart failure who were evaluated with iron studies. Iron deficiency was associated with greater risk of ventricular assist device implantation, heart transplantation, or death.
Machine Learning-based Prediction for Dynamic Architectural Optimizations

Embedded system complexity is rapidly evolving, becoming more desktop-system-like, requiring more complex optimization methods to adhere to more stringent design constraints (e.g., area, thermal pressures, performance, battery lifetime, etc.) given restricted resources, widely varying applications, and environmental stimuli. Configurable architectural parameters (e.g., voltage, frequency, pipeline depth, cache specifics, etc.) can be specialized to meet these application-specific constraints and requirements (e.g., available parallelism, cache locality and access patterns, etc.) based on the available resources (e.g., heterogeneous cores with different architectural parameters). Unfortunately, due to this environmental-and application-dependent information, embedded system designers are challenged with meeting constraints and requirements with no a priori knowledge of this dynamic runtime information, which results in a very large dynamic design space. In this work, we propose a machine-learning-based method to meet these runtime optimization challenges using a fast and reactive methodology. Our methodology uses offline feature selection and neural network training to create a model that can be used online to predict the best configurable parameter values based on unknown runtime applications, environmental stimuli, resource availability, user expectations, etc. Without loss of generality, we propose a cache line size online/dynamic prediction module. Results show that our prediction module achieves 86% and 91% classification accuracies, comparable to prior work, for predicting the instruction and data cache line sizes, respectively, and achieves average energy consumption optimizations within 1% of the applications’ optimal energy consumptions determined using exhaustive simulation.
Gut enterotypes are stable during Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus probiotic supplementation

The human gut microbiome has been classified into three distinct enterotypes (Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Ruminococcus). The relationship between probiotics and gut enterotype is not yet clear. Cayenne pepper is effective in vitro as a prebiotic for Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, so cayenne ingestion with probiotics may lead to more profound gut microbial shifts. We aimed to determine whether probiotics (with or without cayenne pepper) alter gut bacterial community composition and if these changes are associated with the original gut enterotype of the individual. A total of 27 adult participants provided three fecal samples: prior to probiotic treatment (baseline), post probiotic treatment (probiotic), and post probiotic plus cayenne pepper treatment (probiotic + cayenne). DNA was extracted, amplified, and the V4 region sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform using V2 chemistry. Sequence reads were processed in mothur and assigned using the SILVA reference by phylotype. Three enterotypes characterized the study population-Bacteroides (B; n = 6), Prevotella (P; n = 11), and Ruminoccocus (R; n = 10). There was no significant increase in probiotic genera in fecal samples after treatment periods. Alpha diversity scores were significantly lower in B-type but not in P- or R-type individuals after probiotic treatment. For the majority of individuals, their enterotype remained constant regardless of probiotic (and cayenne) treatment. This suggests that baseline gut community characteristics and enterotype classification influence responsiveness to probiotic treatment, but that enterotype is stable across administration of prebiotic and probiotics. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: A person's gut microbial community influences their responsiveness to probiotics and prebiotic ingredients. Consumers must understand that it is difficult to shift their gut microbiota even with simultaneous administration of prebiotic and probiotic. Greater understanding of these phenomena will enable consumers to choose the most efficacious products for their needs.
PATCH: Pump-Actuated Thermal Compression Haptics

Haptics in virtual reality has become increasingly important for improving realism and immersiveness. However, matching the complexity of real-world tactile interactions is a challenging problem due to the complexity of our sense of touch. Motivated by the recognition that multi-modal haptic feedback is needed to fully recreate human touch, we created PATCH, a Pump-Actuated Thermal Compression Haptic device for presenting simultaneous thermal and compression cues. The system uses water of varying temperature to provide compression cues and transfer heat to or from the user's skin. The wearable component of the system is constructed solely of soft, flexible components. When compared to an established, unimodal, pressure-based haptic device, the PATCH system was found to perform similarly in terms of recognition and saliency, but it was rated more favorably in terms of wearability. The PATCH device can display temperatures ranging from 17° C to 42° C, fitting the desired temperatures with an R2 = 0.75, and can display pulsed cues at a rate of 0.22 Hz. The success of our PATCH system can serve to inform the development of the next generation of multi-modal haptic devices.
Geographic and demographic disparities in colorectal cancer: A population-based study.

e19047Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the US. Area of residence affects survival in many cancers, though largely unknown in colorectal cancer. The pur...
Baseline Characteristics and Patient-Reported Outcomes of ADPKD Patients in the Multicenter TAME-PKD Clinical Trial.

Background Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) has been associated with metabolic disturbances characterized by downregulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a critical sensor of the cellular energy status. Therapeutic activation of AMPK by metformin could inhibit cyst enlargement by inhibition of both the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway and fluid secretion via the CFTR chloride channel. Methods We designed a phase-2, randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of metformin on total kidney volume in adults without diabetes (age 18–60 years) with ADPKD and eGFR of ≥50 ml/min per 1.73 m2. There were no eligibility criteria relating to kidney volume. In addition to demographics and clinical/family history, baseline parameters included eGFR, total kidney and liver volumes measured by MRI, and patient-reported outcomes were ascertained by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36, the Gastrointestinal Safety Rating Scale, and the HALT-PKD pain questionnaire. Results We successfully randomized 97 participants recruited from two university-based clinical sites in Baltimore and Boston. The mean age of participants was 41.9 years, 72% were female, and 94% of participants were White. The majority of study participants had early stage disease, with a mean eGFR of 86.8±19.0 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Approximately half of the study participants (48%) were classified as high risk for progression (Mayo imaging classes 1C, 1D, or 1E). There was no correlation between kidney and/or liver size and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) or gastrointestinal symptom severity. Conclusions We report successful recruitment in this ongoing, novel, clinical trial of metformin in ADPKD, with a study sample comprising patients with early stage disease and nearly a half of participants considered at high estimated risk for progression. Participants reported a low gastrointestinal symptom burden at baseline, and HRQoL similar to that of the general population, with no differences in symptoms or HRQoL related to organomegaly. Clinical Trial registry name and registration number Metformin as a Novel Therapy for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (TAME), NCT02656017
Tunable Superconducting Qubits with Flux-Independent Coherence

As superconducting-qubit architectures progress to more complex layouts, frequency crowding in qubit arrays increasingly hinders computing performance. Frequency-tunable qubits can assuage this problem, but are subject to the magnetic-flux noise that is ubiquitous in such circuitry. The authors exploit asymmetric Josephson junctions in transmon qubits to reduce sensitivity to flux noise, while preserving sufficient tunability to avoid frequency collisions. In their most asymmetric qubit, dephasing due to flux noise is reduced to the point where its rate is independent of the flux bias.
Uncovering the potential for exurban properties and small working farms in the Midwestern United States to provide food and refuge for pollinators

Creating or restoring habitat is a well-established approach to improve pollinator populations. Rural and exurban properties might constitute a straightforward opportunity to convert land to native plants that are beneficial to pollinators given that, in Ohio, these parcels typically contain substantial lawn cover. The purpose of this study is to gauge the public’s acceptance of planting native plants on low-density rural properties. Out of 7557 properties in Butler County, Ohio (U.S.A.), that had at least ¼ acre lawn, were between 1 and 20 acres, and had a dwelling, 200 were randomly selected to receive a survey; half via the drop-off pick-up method and half via mail (for a combined 58% response rate). Pollinator beneficial plants of differing appearance, management, and pollinator service were shown in the questionnaire: Echinacea purpurea, Monarda fistulosa, Asclepias syriaca, and wildflower prairie (multiple species). Respondents were significantly less likely to be willing to plant Asclepias syriaca compared to the other plants shown. If all respondents planted what they said they would consider planting in the more accepted plants, these potentially new plantings would cover 5.4% of the 146.2 km2 devoted to these rural and exurban parcels in the county. However, that proportion decreases to 1% if we only take into account those that said they would make those changes within the year. We discuss what we see as challenges and opportunities to increase pollinator plantings on exurban properties and small working farms in the Midwest. We also describe implications for voluntary habitat restoration on these private lands.
Dissecting the Polygenic Basis of Cold Adaptation Using Genome-Wide Association of Traits and Environmental Data in Douglas-fir

Understanding the genomic and environmental basis of cold adaptation is key to understand how plants survive and adapt to different environmental conditions across their natural range. Univariate and multivariate genome-wide association (GWAS) and genotype-environment association (GEA) analyses were used to test associations among genome-wide SNPs obtained from whole-genome resequencing, measures of growth, phenology, emergence, cold hardiness, and range-wide environmental variation in coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Results suggest a complex genomic architecture of cold adaptation, in which traits are either highly polygenic or controlled by both large and small effect genes. Newly discovered associations for cold adaptation in Douglas-fir included 130 genes involved in many important biological functions such as primary and secondary metabolism, growth and reproductive development, transcription regulation, stress and signaling, and DNA processes. These genes were related to growth, phenology and cold hardiness and strongly depend on variation in environmental variables such degree days below 0c, precipitation, elevation and distance from the coast. This study is a step forward in our understanding of the complex interconnection between environment and genomics and their role in cold-associated trait variation in boreal tree species, providing a baseline for the species’ predictions under climate change.
Social media in inflammatory bowel disease: the patient and physician perspective.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Social media use by patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and their respective providers continues to increase, promoting disease awareness and scholarship. In this review article, we summarize the current literature regarding social media use and IBD, discuss both the patient and physician perspective, and provide guidance to avoid commonly encountered pitfalls. RECENT FINDINGS: Patients and providers commonly rely on social media to share medical information, advocate for improved IBD care, and to network and collaborate on common research interests. This shift from more traditional formats of education and networking continues to grow exponentially, and even more rapidly so during the COVID-19 pandemic. SUMMARY: Social media use in the IBD community will continue to grow and lead to further innovation. Providers should be aware of social media as a valuable tool for their patients and themselves.
Relaxation of residual stress in fused filament fabrication part with in-process laser heating

Abstract Fused filament fabrication (FFF) has become a preferred method for additive manufacturing due to its cost-effectiveness and flexibility. However, the parts built using FFF process suffer from lower mechanical strength compared to that fabricated using traditional method. In this work, an in-process laser heating method was presented to heal residual stress, therefore improve mechanical behavior along in-plane direction. The enhancement in tensile strength and elongation of fabricated samples with the utilization of laser heating have been demonstrated. In addition, models and hypothesis on the transformation of microstructure were proposed and verified by experimental data. With the utilization of laser pre-deposition heating, tensile strength of printed polyether ether keton (PEEK) part along in-plane direction increased by 11.4%, thus reached 93.5% that of the bulk material property. The fracture behavior was also altered from brittle to stretchable with visible necking effect, backed up with both tensile curve and scanning electron microscope images independently.
User Engagement and Collaboration in the Next Generation Academic Libraries.

The dynamic progress in computing technology is driving the change towards a more centralised and connected society. The technology revolution has transformed cities into smart cities together with all the components. Various studies have shown an interdependence between the quality of life of citizens of smart cities and their level of education. It has been proved that Librarie's access can improve citizens' quality of life and has an essential part in people's education. Traditional libraries improve their services and adapt to the users' expectations using a push strategy, which focuses on predicting user expectations by improving library operations and information system functionality. However, the prediction is not always in line with reality when users are exposed to the most recent technology or forced to change by external forces such as COVID 19 outbreak. Intensive research on smart libraries and how automation can be implemented to support the activities of libraries is available from different backgrounds. The proposed research investigates how the next generation of academic libraries would improve user collaboration using a pull strategy method based on design thinking and a user-centered approach. The proposed research consists of field investigation on users' view in the University of West London library regarding user collaboration and using the survey findings to propose a solution. This paper includes a brief literature review on this topic with findings from previous studies and their limitations and proposed a methodology for collecting and analyzing the data.
Bat Thermo-Regulation

In this chapter we model the thermo-regulatory process of a bat akin to an objects of a particular temperature, surrounded by a cooler environment, to which it tends to lose heat. But unlike the standard approach to modeling heat loss, we allow for dynamic adjustments of the cooling rate.
Teaching computer organization and architecture at small colleges: a programming/simulation based approach

It is challenging to motivate students who mostly look at Computer Science from an application perspective to study computer organization and architecture concepts [Peter Marwedel et al. 2004]. We have developed a set of laboratory assignments to encourage students to understand and appreciate computer organization and architecture concepts through programming. This paper describes and discusses some of these laboratory assignments that would help students gain solid understanding to IEEE Floating Point representation and operations, and MIPS instruction set format. Simulation software used in our laboratory, including those used in memory organization, is also introduced.
Hydroball-a new expendable: uses and issues

A description is given of the Hydroball system, a transportable, easy to operate, low-cost, expendable current and temperature profiling system that operates from stationary platforms and moving vessels in water depths up to 500 m. It operates on the principle of calculating a current velocity profile from the dynamic response of a freely falling object. It uses an expendable Lagrangian drifter, spherical in shape, which houses an acoustic transducer, pressure sensor, thermistor, and timing electronics. Results of laboratory tests and field trials are presented that confirm the validity of the approach. >
Intractable Pain, Palliative Management and the Principle of Medical Futility

This monograph examines the issue of existential or psychological pain and how, heretofore, it has been dealt with by hospice or palliative care - concluding, as such, that terminal or deep sedation should be embraced more widely within the Ethic of Adjusted Care as a part of the compassionate management of the dying.The first element of palliative treatment in hospice care is symptom control - pharmacological and psychological - in the dying patient. Today, pain relief - be it physical, mental, social or spiritual - is being recognized more and more as a fundamental human right. If voluntary refusals by competent dying patients of hydration and nutrition are tolerated routinely by both the legal and medical professions, as well as society at large - even though these actions hasten death - then, surely, under the Doctrine of Mercy and/or Principle of Beneficence, assistance in relieving chronic, irremediable pain should be allowed when requested.The Principle of Medical Futility, supplemented by the Doctrine of Double Effect, can serve as a decisive tool for both physicians and judges when called upon to evaluate end-of-life care. If a patient is in a futile condition, efficacious treatment should be given even if the secondary effect of that assistance means hastening life's cruel and inhumane ending. Terminal sedation is just that: recognized treatment. It should not be confused, taxonomically, by denominating it as euthanasia, murder, or assisted suicide. Rather, it is but an act of self-determination.The time has come to step outside the mired and endless moral argumentation over the "slippery slope consequence" of validating a right, however exercised, to a good (painless) death and acknowledge - decisively - that standards of common decency, compassion and mercy demand nothing less.
Role of Opiate Receptors in the Regulation of Colonic Transit

Abstract The effects of morphine and the opiate antagonist naloxone on human colonic transit were investigated. In a crossover, double-blind fashion, two groups of 6 normal volunteers were studied using colonic transit scintigraphy during the administration of a test drug or control. The test drugs were morphine (0.1 mg/kg every 6 h s.c.) or naloxone (0.8 mg every 6 h s.c.); control was saline (1 ml every 6 h s.c.). Morphine significantly delayed transit in the cecum and ascending colon (p 0.05). These results suggest that narcotic analgesics may cause constipation in part by slowing colonic transit in the proximal colon and by inhibiting defecation. Acceleration of transit by naloxone suggests that endogenous opiate peptides may play an inhibitory role in the regulation of human colonic transit.
Waveform design for multistatic radar imaging using mutual information

The topic of waveform design is investigated for a multistatic radar scenario where it is assumed that one radar sensor is transmitting while the remaining sensors receive. This is accomplished by using an information-theoretic measure (i.e., mutual information between the image and the radar return) as an objective function for waveform optimization. Simulations are given to illustrate performance gains in image quality metrics.