cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fields around the focal region of a dielectric spherical lens embedded in chiral medium

Abstract The high frequency field expressions in the focal region of a dielectric spherical lens embedded in homogeneous chiral medium is derived using Geometric method (GO) and Maslovs method at high frequencies. The derived expressions using GO method are invalid around the focal region of the spherical lens. Therefore, the high frequency problem is mapped to hybrid domain using Maslov's method. The high-frequency field expressions derived are valid around the focal region and are plotted using MATLAB. The effect of chirality parameter β on the focal region fields of spherical dielectric lens are analyzed.
Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities of Health Mobile Apps for Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Living in Rural Communities.

Abstract Background: Many adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D), living in rural communities, are not optimally managing the disease through their diet and physical activities. Mobile apps have the potential to facilitate self-management activities, such as providing educational content, assisting with problem solving, and self-regulation. The goal of this study was to understand the perceived barriers, benefits, and facilitators among rural adults with T2D regarding the use of free mobile apps available in Apple App store or Google Play store for diabetes management or behavior monitoring. Materials and Methods: Four focus groups were conducted with 18 participants with T2D who owned a smartphone (age: M = 54.4, SD = 12.7; 27.8% male). The participants were asked about their general app and health-specific app usage. They were then shown features of four apps related to diabetes self-management (Glucose Buddy, mySugr, MyFitnessPal, and MapMyWalk) and prompted to provide feedback. The focus groups were audio ...
Early Lithic Industries of Western South America

Sequences of preceramic cultures or well-defined artifact assemblages are now known for the Ecuadorian highlands, the central and southern highlands of Peru, the entire coast of Peru, western and southwestern Bolivia, northern Chile, highland Argentina, Patagonia, and Tierra del Fuego. The known lithic industries of the area can be organized into a scheme of five periods, based on the long sequence at Lauricocha in the central Peruvian highlands and defined by the occurrence of widely diffused artifact types. Periods I and II, estimated at 10,000-8000 B.C. and 8000-6000 B.C., are known only from scattered finds of hunting camps. The earliest evidence of seed-grinding tools and field-stone house foundations is found in central Argentina and north Chile during Period III, 6000-3000 B.C. While nomadic hunters continued to occupy the southern part of the continent until historic times, agriculture was well established in Peru during Period IV (3000-1200 B.C.). Period V, from 1200 B.C. until the extinction of the stone-using Indians of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego in the 20th century, saw the introduction of ceramics to Peru and the southward spread of agriculture, pottery-making, and related activities to Chile and Argentina.
Abstract 5148: Amino acid transporters ASCT2 and LAT1 ubiquitously function in N-myc (+) epithelial and mesenchymal human HCC cells exhibiting a wide array of mTOR and glycolytic reliance for growth

Amino acid transporters ASCT2 and LAT1 are coordinately enhanced in a broad array of human cancers where they associate in the plasma membrane and are proposed to work cooperatively to activate mTOR signaling through a tertiary-active transport mechanism involving glutamine (ASCT2) and essential branch-chain amino acids (LAT1). Silencing of ASCT2 expression in liver cancer cells has been shown to induce apoptosis and inhibit mTOR signaling while Myc expression has been implicated in promoting ASCT2 and LAT1 expression as well as a glutamine-intensive metabolic profile typical of many cancers, which helps support the switch to aerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect). In particular, ASCT2 and LAT1 are nearly undetectable in normal liver but are enhanced in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To test the relationship between amino acid transporters, myc expression, metabolism and mTOR, we examined the expression and function of ASCT2 and LAT1 as a function of N-myc and C-myc status, reliance on glycolysis for growth and sensitivity to rapamycin (mTOR) in a broad panel of 14 human HCC lines (7 Group I (epithelial) and 7 Group II (mesenchymal)). We hypothesized that transporter expression is proportional to myc expression, and that glycolytic reliance and both transporters are enhanced in the more aggressive Group II HCC lines. Our results show that all human HCC lines are N-myc-, ASCT2- and LAT1-positive, and variably c-myc positive, with no clear correlation between specific myc isoform and transporter expression levels. In general, LAT1 protein expression was uniformly high in all mesenchymal HCC lines, but more variable in epithelial HCC, while BCH-inibitable leucine uptake rates displayed a wide array of values in both HCC groups; the same was true for ASCT2 protein and glutamine uptake activities. Treatment of HCC cells for 24 hours with ASCT2 and LAT1 substrate inhibitors GPNA and BCH, respectively, failed to inhibit mTOR signaling as indexed by 4EBP1 phosphorylation. Inhibition of glycolysis and growth with 3-bromopyruvate was generally more pronounced in epithelial HCC, but variably evident in both HCC groups. Rapamycin-dependent growth inhibition was variable between HCC lines and showed no preferential epithelial or mesenchymal HCC efficacy. Collectively, the results suggest that N-myc, ASCT2 and LAT1 are ubiquitously expressed in both epithelial and mesenchymal human HCC cells, where they help drive growth in cells variably reliant on mTOR signaling and glycolysis. Thus, both transporters remain the subject of ongoing investigation as targeted therapies for HCC. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5148. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5148
Far-field and near-field properties of triangular metal nanoparticle and nanopatterns of 3-fold rotational symmetry

We study the relation between near-field enhancement and far-field extinction spectra of three-fold rotationally symmetric nanopatterns consisting of metal nano-triangles. Our symmetry analysis benefits the understanding of the plasmon resonance phenomena in these nanopatterns.
Single Centre Experience of Endovascular Intervention in Extra and Intracranial Vertebro-Basilar Stenosis at a Tertiary Care Centre (P1.197)

OBJECTIVE: We looked at outcome of patients with extra and/or intracranial vertebra-basilar stenosis treated with endovascular intervention. BACKGROUND: Endovascular intervention for vertebro-basilar stenosis is variably used with peri-procedural complications being an impediment. METHODS Retrospective chart review of patients with angiographic intervention for extra and intracranial vertebra-basilar stenosis from 2007-15 performed and follow up data from subsequent clinic visits. RESULTS 60 patients enrolled (M:F 1.5:1). Contralateral vertebral stenosis present in 60[percnt] cases. 80[percnt] procedures were extra-cranial (V1-3) -75[percnt] left vertebral and 25[percnt] right. Of the 20[percnt] intracranial interventions, 31[percnt] were V4 segment, 23[percnt] were proximal vertebra-basilar and 45[percnt] distal basilar. 10[percnt] were unsuccessful, 15[percnt] had >30[percnt] residual stenosis and 10[percnt] had restenosis during follow-up (3 months). High grade stenosis (>70[percnt]) present in 88[percnt] of interventions, minimum stenosis treated was 50[percnt]. Stents were employed in 70[percnt] of interventions, only balloon dilatation in 30[percnt] with no stenting. Among the stents-45[percnt] were Multilink, 23[percnt] Wingspan and 3[percnt] Acculink. In balloon angioplasties, Minitrek dilatation catheter used in 44[percnt] followed by Viatrek, Voyager and Gateway in remaining. 27[percnt] had peri & post-procedure strokes. Median NIHSS at time of stroke was 2(Range0-34) and median NIHSS at discharge was 1(Range0-10). Median mRS at discharge was 2 and 1 at 3-months. Peri-procedural complications included STEMI in 5[percnt], NSTEMI in 27[percnt], critical limb ischemia in 8[percnt] and DVT/PE in 5[percnt]. 10[percnt] of patients died, 31[percnt] were discharged to rehab, 8[percnt] to nursing home and 50[percnt] home. Intracranial subgroup had higher mortality of 25[percnt] and more cardiac complications (45[percnt]). CONCLUSIONS Vertebro-basilar interventions have high peri-procedural complications, jeopardizing their benefit. For similar patient profiles, we had higher deaths, strokes, cardiac complications compared to VAST trial. Results may be biased by inclusion of basilar interventions, selection bias of high risk patients in a referral center and other factors that confound a retrospective study. Disclosure: Dr. Kaur has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sharma has nothing to disclose. Dr. Latorre has nothing to disclose.
Studies on the Simultaneous Analysis of Elements Content in Rice by ICP—AES with Microwave Oven Digesting

A simultaneous multielement analytic method by ICP--AES with using PTFE closed-vesselmicrowave oven digestion procedures are established. Up to 20 elements are determined at one time withhigh sensitivity and accuracy. Detection limit and recovery rate are estimated. The results of 51 high qualityrices is satisfying with quality control by comparing with Standard Reference Materials (NBS, GBW).
Short-term endocrine response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist initiated in the early follicular, midluteal, or late luteal phase in normally cycling women

Objective To determine short-term pituitary and ovarian hormonal responses to GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) administered during various phases of the menstrual cycle, in the absence of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), to determine its independent effect on hormonal parameters previously demonstrated to influence assisted reproductive technology cycle outcome. Design Prospective, randomized, controlled crossover study of five regularly cycling women. The GnRH-a, leuprolide acetate (LA), was administered 1mg SC daily for 5days beginning on cycle day 3 (early follicular); 8days post-LH surge (midluteal); or 13days post-LH surge (lateluteal). Setting Clinical research unit at a tertiary care medical center. Main Outcome Measures Serum gonadotropins (LH and FSH) and gonadal steroids (E 2 , estrone [E 1 ], P, A, and T) measured daily during GnRH-a administration begun in the early follicular, midluteal, or late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Gonadotropin pulse amplitude and frequency were determined after frequent serum sampling on the 2nd day of GnRH-a administration in each treatment cycle. Results Serum LH elevations, 4- to 10-fold greater than observed for FSH, did not differ by cycle day of GnRH-a initiation. Initial increases in FSH did not differ by cycle day, however, early follicular initiation resulted in a more pronounced suppression of FSH. Mean LH pulse amplitude and frequency increased to a similar extent in all three groups, however, FSH pulse amplitude and frequency varied significantly by cycle day of GnRH-a initiation. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist initiated in the early follicular phase resulted in significant increases in E 2 , E 1 , and P levels compared with both midluteal or late luteal. Increases in serum androgens were significantly greater after early follicular and late luteal initiation as compared with midluteal GnRH-a initiation. Conclusions Relative FSH suppression and marked androgen elevations in both late luteal and early follicular groups, which may have potential detrimental effects on oocytes of the developing cohort, suggest little advantage of late luteal or early follicular over midluteal initiation of GnRH-a for COH.
Diagnostic and therapeutic urologic procedures.

Summary Emergency urologic procedures include urethral catheterization, percutaneous bladder catheterization, suprapubic bladder aspiration, dorsalslit procedures, and meatotomy. Urethral catheterization is the most common emergency urologic procedure and should be attempted whenever urinary retention is suspected (see “Acute Urinary Retention,” elsewhere in this issue), urinary output must be monitored, or sampling of the urine for diagnostic purposes is indicated. There are many techniques and catheters available for this purpose. The emergency physician should familiarize himself or herself with the Foley catheter, the Coude catheter, and filiforms and followers, as well as physical techniques for aiding in the passage of a catheter. When urethral catheterization is not possible or contraindicated (e.g., urethral trauma; bacterial infection of the prostate, urethral glands, or epididymus), a suprapubic approach to the bladder is available through a puncture 2 cm cephalad to the pubic bone. Multiple kits are available for this purpose. It would aid the emergency physician to be familiar with the equipment available for this procedure. In cases in which a pediatric patient is involved, urine can be obtained directly from the bladder for diagnostic purposes with a 22-gauge needle, using a suprapubic approach. This is a commonly accepted practice in children under 2 years of age. If urethral catheterization is needed (e.g., for monitoring purposes), a 3.5 to 5 French catheter usually will pass into the bladder of an infant, and a 5 to 10 French catheter may be used in older children. A dorsal-slit procedure can be performed in the Emergency Department to relieve an acute obstructing phimosis or an acute constricting paraphimosis. The dorsal-slit procedure for phimosis is simply the incision of the dorsal foreskin to allow catheterization. The dorsal-slit procedure can be modified to relieve an acute paraphimosis that is causing vascular impairment to the tip of the penis. A meatotomy is a simple way to correct a meatal stricture or to increase the size of the meatal orifice for ease of catheterization.
The British New Right: A Discourse of Culture, Nation, and Race

The New Right emerged in Britain in the 1970s as an heir to a long history of right-wing politics and as a distinctive political development in its own right. The aim of this chapter is to explore whether and to what degree a racial subtext exists beneath New Right discourse on a range of themes — especially those related to culture and nation. While particularistic racist attitudes and overt racism have been conspicuously absent, it is nevertheless compelling to address the question of the importance of symbolic conflict over race as one component of the British New Right’s project to establish social conservatism as politically dominant.
An Interdisciplinary Approach to the Study of Technology

This study begins with a definition of technology provided by Carl Mitcham. It then goes on to evaluate this definition by applying some of Jacques Ellul's thinking, as well as that of Lewis Mumford. Some of Nietzsche's literary work is also used as a template through which to view Mitcham's claim. What impact might technology have on the human condition, and how might these philosophers help us to discern what that impact might be?
Transnational Dimensions of Democratization

Chapter 2 deals with two concepts.1 The first two sections define democracy as a political system maximizing popular participation organized in periodic electoral contests. The rest of the chapter adds a transnational dimension to the comparative study of democratization. The transnational mobilization for democratic change is particularly relevant in challenging authoritarian rule. In later stages external influences combine with domestic factors to produce variation in the paths of regime change. Transnational mobilization not only decreases in importance during later stages of regime change, but also produces more ambiguous effects on democratic change. External actors find it easier to join domestic groups in challenges to authoritarian leaders than to contribute positively to the creation and consolidation of democratic practices.
An Improved Approximate Two-sample Poisson Test

SUMMARY An improved approximate test for the equality of the failure rates of two Poisson processes is proposed. The significance level, power and experiment length needed to achieve a specified power are compared to a previously studied approximate test. Both equal and unequal time intervals are considered. Numerical results show that this test, based on the variance stabilizing transformation, is superior in achieving nominal significance levels and powers over a wide range of parameter values and experiment lengths.
Affective Touch from a Philosophical Standpoint

This chapter offers a critical philosophical examination of recent work on pleasant (or affective) touch. After developing a distinction between two notions of perceptual affect, I argue that “emotional” and “affiliative” touch are best understood as causing affective reactions, and that affective touch is best understood as perceptually presenting us with affective qualities. In other words, affective touch, unlike other forms of hedonic touch, has a presentational character. On neither model does touch involve anything like a pleasantness detector, nor does it involve a direct relation to or representation of affective qualities understood as objective sensible features of external objects. I suggest an alternative, largely dispositional account of affective touch experiences. Taken together, these reflections aim to provide a detailed framework for better understanding the richness and diversity of affective touch experience.
Measurements of the inclusive neutrino and antineutrino charged current cross sections in MINERvA using the low- ν flux method

The total cross sections are important ingredients for the current and future neutrino oscillation experiments. We present measurements of the total charged-current neutrino and antineutrino cross sections on scintillator (CH) in the NuMI low-energy beamline using an in situ prediction of the shape of the flux as a function of neutrino energy from 2--50 GeV. This flux prediction takes advantage of the fact that neutrino and antineutrino interactions with low nuclear recoil energy ($\ensuremath{\nu}$) have a nearly constant cross section as a function of incident neutrino energy. This measurement is the lowest energy application of the low-$\ensuremath{\nu}$ flux technique, the first time it has been used in the NuMI antineutrino beam configuration, and demonstrates that the technique is applicable to future neutrino beams operating at multi-GeV energies. The cross section measurements presented are the most precise measurements to date below 5 GeV.
The Expected Value for the Probability of an Undetected Error

The expected value for the probability of an undetected error for a linear code over the binary symmetric channel, with p being a continuous random variable, is calculated. The random variable p is assumed to be from the interval [0,?] or the interval [0,1], with uniform distributions and beta distributions being used. Simple conditions on the weight enumerator of the code and its dual code are given to minimize the expected value for the probability of an undetected error. A necessary condition for good error detection is derived.
A Novel Trp Cage Conformer Revealed by Combining High Pressure NMR and MD Simulations

We have used the tryptophan cage variant Tc5b, a widely used model protein for benchmarking of force fields and water models, to probe pressure effects on proteins using a combination of high pressure 2D proton NMR TOCSY and molecular dynamics simulations. Understanding the key factors of the pressure stability of protein is an essential step towards the development of better force fields and increased predictive power of simulation. We show that results of MD simulations on Tc5b as a function of pressure using the Amber 99sb force field show remarkable agreement with the pressure-dependent NMR data. Pressure perturbation in different solvent conditions yielded novel information on the structural changes in Tc5b induced by pressure. We identified a sub-ensemble in the folded basin that is strongly destabilized by pressure. Hence, most of the pressure effect on Tc5b between 1-2500 bar arises from modulation of the sub-populations of the folded state. The residues observed in the NMR experiments to be strongly affected by pressure coincided precisely with those implicated in the pressure-dependent change in Tc5b secondary structure revealed by the simulations. The relative populations of two folded state conformers, in which the central 3-10 helix and the following bend are inverted, changed upon pressurization, while the total secondary structural content remained the same. These results highlight the existence of significant plasticity in the secondary structure of folded proteins.
An Empirical Investigation of Campus Demographics and Reported Rapes.

ABSTRACTObjective: Rape on college campuses continues to be a pervasive public health issue with approximately 11% of women experiencing rape while in college. As such, it is important to examine factors unique to college campuses that influence the occurrences of rape. Methods: Using data from 1,423 four-year universities (public and private with at least 1,000 students) from the Office of Education and the Clery Act (2014), we examined institutional risk factors, such as tuition, liquor violations, Greek-life, athletic programs, institution type (public vs. private), and geographical location. Results: Public institutions with higher tuition, more liquor violations, and greater numbers of fraternity men and athletes were more likely to report rape on their campuses. Conclusions: Findings suggest that there are university-level characteristics which may increase certain campuses propensity toward violence against women.
Techniques to Determine Clonality in Hematolymphoid Malignancies

Clonality testing is a well-established molecular diagnostic technique in the realm of hematopathology. Molecular techniques to diagnose hematological malignancies based on the detection of clonality have been with us since the mid-1980s, based on the seminal observation that lymphoid cells rearrange their antigen receptor genes and that recurrent genetic rearrangements are present in myeloid neoplasms. In this chapter, I review the history of clonality testing in cancer, describe the scientific principles on which clonality-based testing rest, and then describe the numerous techniques that are now available for diagnosing hematolymphoid malignancies by demonstrating their clonal nature.
Not a stale metaphor: the continued relevance of pedagogical content knowledge for science research and education

Recently, theorists have raised concerns that pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) has become “a stale metaphor” that disregards diversity and equity, offers little to help teachers address student...
Scale Effects Observed in Compression Testing of Stanstead Granite Including Post-peak Strength and Dilatancy

Scale effects refer to changes in mechanical behaviour associated with the volume of material being loaded or deformed. Scale effects in rocks and rockmasses are particularly complex, as an increased volume of interest changes not only the measured behaviour of intact rock, but also results in an increased sampling of natural fractures, which can often significantly influence rockmass mechanical behaviour. To isolate one component of these effects, laboratory tests performed using different size specimens can be used (scale effects in the absence of jointing). Previous studies on scale effects based on laboratory testing have tended to focus on changes in stiffness and peak strength, particularly under unconfined conditions. In this study, data are examined from specimens tested in uniaxial and triaxial compression considering not only stiffness and peak strength, but also strength evolution and post-peak dilatancy evolution. The crack initiation and crack damage stresses are found to be scale independent, whereas the post-yield rate of cohesion loss appears to change as a function of specimen size. Trends in the dilation angle are shown to be relatively scale independent, which is consistent with prior studies that found laboratory-based dilation angle models could be used to accurately replicate data collected from sparsely fractured in situ rockmasses.
As implicações do processo de formação continuada no fazer docente

O presente artigo discute a formacao de professores em especial, a continuada em suas propostas e concepcoes na America Latina. Busca propor e avaliar a implementacao de uma proposta de formacao continuada de professores do ensino fundamental e a qualificacao da pratica docente desses profissionais. O estudo desenvolve-se por meio da pesquisa acao com aporte etnografico. Os resultados da pesquisa apontam que na America Latina as concepcoes e praticas de formacao continuada, heterogeneas e sobre as quais esta uma gama de praticas, ainda as mesmas se sustentam na ideia de superacao do deficit/lacunas deixadas pela formacao inicial. Portanto o desafio posto a ser enfrentado e de constituir os momentos de formacao continuada de professores um espaco qualificador da pratica docente e que, consequentemente contribua para a melhoria da aprendizagem dos alunos.
Multi-plane, multi-joint lower extremity support moments during a rapid deceleration task: Implications for knee loading.

Abstract The principle of lower limb support, and the contribution of hip, knee and ankle moments to an overall limb support strategy for an impact-like, rapid deceleration movement may help explain individual moment magnitude changes, thereby providing insight into how injury might occur or be avoided. Twenty subjects performed single limb, impact-like, deceleration landings at three different knee flexion angles in the range of 0–25, 25–50 and 50–75°. Kinematic and kinetic measures identified hip, knee and ankle moment contribution to limb support moments (LSMs) in three planes. Repeated measures ANOVA compared LSMs and the contribution of individual joint moments at initial contact (IC) and 50 ms after. There were no significant differences in the overall LSMs at IC in any plane when the deeper knee flexion landings (25–50° and 50–75°) were compared to the 0–25° landing position but there were significant changes in the 50 ms period after IC. There were greater overall extensor LSMs, less resistance to medial opening of the knee and decreased support against internal tibia rotation when landing in greater knee flexion. The role of individual joint moments changed rapidly in the 50 ms period after initial landing; and, the relative contribution of the hip and ankle moments depended on the degree of limb flexion at landing. Analyses of individual joint moments emphasized the critical role that the hip joint moments have in balancing potentially injurious knee moments in all three planes for all three landing conditions.
Growth regulation by the E2F and DP transcription factor families

What we know about E2F transcriptional activity has been derived from several lines of investigation. Each line of study gives us greater insight into understanding the function of E2F transcriptional activity in growth control. In vivo and in vitro, E2F transcriptional activity appears to be complex, often capable of completely opposing actions. The basis for positive and negative action at many levels appears to be the ability of E2F transcriptional activity to transactivate and repress gene expression, which both require the same initial step, i.e., recognition of target DNA. When bound to the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor (pRB) or other pRB family members, E2F functions as a repressor, and when “free” of pRB family interaction, E2F functions as an activator. It is this positive and negative, up and down nature of E2F activity that fascinates so many investigators.
Tightly regulated, beta-estradiol dose-dependent expression system for yeast.

We have refined the regulated expression of UASGAL1, 10-driven genes in yeast by modifying a vector encoding the beta-estradiol inducible activator, GAL4.ER.VP16 (GEV). The expression of GEV was placed under the regulation of the low-level, constitutive MRP7 promoter, and beta-estradiol-regulated expression was monitored by the expression of an integrated UASGAL10-lacZ reporter and by immunoblot analysis of a UASGAL1-regulated gene product. Target gene expression regulated by low levels of GEV has several advantages over the standard galactose-inducible expression systems. (i) Most importantly, the target gene expression is undetectable in the absence of hormone; (ii) target gene expression is beta-estradiol dose-dependent, and variable levels of target gene expression from low to several hundred-fold induction can be achieved; and (iii) induction or depletion studies can be conducted independent of carbon source in gal4 delta strains. In addition, any UASGAL1,10 expression construct can be used without modification of the target gene or many gal4 delta host strains, and GEV vectors are compatible with other inducible yeast expression systems. This method may be useful to researchers investigating the functions of essential genes, dominant negative mutants, mitochondrial genes, and viral, plant, and mammalian genes in yeast assay systems.
Haemopoietic Cells as Targets for Gene Transfer

The bone marrow is relatively accessible and contains cells which can reconstitute the entire haemopoietic system when transplanted into suitably conditioned hosts. In addition, methods are available for the manipulation of blood-forming cells in vitro. For these reasons haemopoietic cells are potential targets for therapeutic gene transfer. While this goal remains to be achieved, genes have already been successfully transferred to cultured cells for the study of normal and abnormal haemopoiesis (Spooncer et al., 1988). Despite these advances, however, much remains to be learned about the structure and function of the haemopoietic system. This paper reviews current understanding of haemopoietic regulation as it pertains to gene transfer strategies.
A catalogue of somatic NRF2 gain-of-function mutations in cancer

Identification and characterization of somatic mutations in cancer have important prognostication and treatment implications. Genes encoding the Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) transcription factor and its negative regulator, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), are frequently mutated in cancer. These mutations drive constitutive NRF2 activation and correlate with poor prognosis. Despite its apparent significance, a comprehensive catalogue of somatic NRF2 mutations across different tumor types is still lacking. Here, we catalogue NRF2 mutations in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. 226 unique NRF2-mutant tumors were identified from 10,364 cases. NRF2 mutations were found in 21 out of the 33 tumor types. A total of 11 hotspots were identified. Of these, mutation to the R34 position was most frequent. Notably, R34 and D29 mutations were overrepresented in bladder, lung, and uterine cancers. Analyses of corresponding RNA sequencing data using a de novo derived gene expression classifier showed that the R34 mutations drive constitutive NRF2 activation with a selection pressure biased against the formation of R34L. Of all R34 mutants, R34L conferred the least degree of protein stabilization, suggesting a pro-tumor NRF2 half-life threshold. Our findings offer a comprehensive catalogue of NRF2 mutations in cancer that can help prognostication and NRF2 research.
Physical and Biological Properties of Cobalt- and Copper-Doped Calcium Phosphates as Bone Substitute Materials

Arthritis, osteoporosis, and other bone diseases and defects are common medical issues worldwide. By utilizing ceramic biomaterials as bone substitutes to treat these diseases, bone regeneration can be promoted and toxicity from the substitute material can be limited. Calcium phosphate (CaP) ceramics have become popular as bone substitutes due to their biocompatibility and similarity in composition to natural bone. The purpose of this research was to investigate the physical properties and biological responses of CaP-based bone substitutes, doped with metal ions. Some metal ions are present in natural bone in small amounts, and recent studies show they affect the biological responses of CaPs significantly. Dopants such as magnesium (Mg), strontium (Sr), silicon (Si) and iron (Fe) alter the phase composition, mechanical properties, osteogenesis and angiogenesis properties of CaPs, depending on their concentration and method of addition. In the present study, the effects of cobalt (Co) and copper (Cu) on the physical and biological properties of two main CaP materials, brushite cement (BrC) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP), have been investigated. Different concentrations of dopants in forms of oxide and/or chloride were selected and their effect on phase composition, sintering behavior, density, setting time, compressive strength and in vitro interaction with osteosarcoma and osteoblast cells were studied. Different techniques of sample preparation, challenges during cement preparation and compact sample pressing, sintering, and methods of dopant addition are discussed. The presence of Cu in tricalcium phosphate was found to increase thermal stability of the material and decrease the impact of sintering temperature on porosity. In addition, Cu caused a reduction in expression of inflammatory gene markers by human osteoblast cells and an increased expression at early time points due of osteoinductive markers.The addition of Cu and Co to brushite cement caused an increase in thermal stability of the material, and the addition of Cu caused significant increase in setting time. Small dopant amounts of Co caused decrease in setting time, but higher amounts caused an increase. In addition, Cu dopant in small amounts resulted in an increase of compressive strength. Both Cu and Co led to a decrease in expression of inflammatory gene markers by osteoblast and osteosarcoma cells respectively, and Cu also caused an increase in osteoinductive marker expression. Thus, these results indicate that Cu and Co have a positive impact on the physical, mechanical and biological properties of calcium phosphate biomaterials.
Synthesis, Structure, and Characterization of Tris(1-ethyl-4-isopropyl-imidazolyl-κN)phosphine Nickel(II) Complexes.

In this work we report the synthesis of five new nickel(II) complexes all coordinated to the tripodal ligand tris(1-ethyl-4- i Pr-imidazolyl)phosphine (TlEt4iPrIP). They are [Ni(T1Et4iPrIP)(CH3CN)2(OTf)](OTf) (1), [Ni(T1Et4iPrIP)(OTf)2] (2), [Ni(T1Et4iPrIP)(H2O)(OTf)](OTf) (3), [Ni(T1Et4iPrIP)Cl](OTf) (4), and [Ni(T1Et4iPrIP)Cl2] (5). The complexes serve as bioinorganic structural model complexes for histidine-coordinated nickel proteins. The X-ray structures have been determine for all complexes which feature coordination numbers 4-6. We investigated the spectroscopic interconversions for these compound in dichloromethane solution and demonstrate interconversion between 1-3 and conversion of 2 to 4. Complex 5 can be spectroscopically converted to the cation of 4 by dissolving it in dichloromethane. Fits of variable temperature magnetic susceptibility data yielded the following parameters: g = 1.944, D = -0.327 cm-1, E/D = 3.706 for 1; g = 2.280, D = -0.365 cm-1, E/D = 22.178 for 2; g = 2.000, D = -7.402 cm-1, E/D = -0.272 for 3; g = 2.176, D = -0.128 cm-1, E/D = -0.783 for 4; g = 2.258, D = 14.288 cm-1, E/D = 0.095 for 5. DFT structure optimizations afforded HOMO and LUMO energies indicating that complex 1 is the most stable.
Promoting Soft Skill Development in Preprofessional Athletic Training Students

Context Athletic training programs are required to incorporate the development of many foundational skills and behaviors into the curriculum. Athletic training students must develop soft skills suc...
(1,4,7,10,13,16‐Hexaoxa­cyclo­octa­decane)­potassium dithiocyanatoaurate(I)

In the title compound, [K(C12H24O6)][Au(SCN)2], the AuI atom is in a linear configuration with respect to the coordinating S atoms. The encapsulation of the K+ ion by the 18-crown-6 ligand produces a large cation and prevents Au⋯Au interactions within the extended structure. Both Au and K occupy inversion centers.
Effects of White Noise on Off-Task Behavior and Sleep for Elementary-Age Students with ADHD

Children with ADHD were administered 75 dB of continuous white noise during independent seat work in the classroom and during bedtime in their homes. Compared to baseline all three students exhibit...
Proposed Federal Bill to Mandate Insurance Coverage for Children With Congenital Anomalies

The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act was reintroduced in United States Congress in March 2019. If enacted, the bill will substantially limit private insurers' ability to deny coverage for the medically necessary treatment of congenital anomalies, including cleft palate and craniofacial anomalies. Coverage denials are currently a barrier to care for these individuals, especially for patients residing in states lacking coverage mandates. The purpose of this article is to describe the issues underlying the proposed federal legislation and provide a policy discussion to better inform cleft and craniofacial providers about pending legislation relevant to their practice.
Comparing adaptive interventions under a general sequential multiple assignment randomized trial design via multiple comparisons with the best

Abstract This paper considers screening of adaptive interventions or adaptive treatment strategies embedded in a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART). As a SMART typically consists of numerous adaptive interventions, inferential procedures based on pairwise comparisons of all interventions may suffer substantial loss in efficiency after accounting for multiplicity. We propose simultaneous confidence intervals that compare the values of interventions of interest to that of the unknown best intervention by generalizing the method in Edwards and Hsu (1983). The multiple comparison with the best (MCB) intervals are applied as screening tool: an intervention with MCB interval excluding zero will be declared as inferior to the true best at a pre-specified confidence level, and hence excluded from further exploration. Simulation studies show that the proposed method outperforms the multiple comparison procedures based on Bonferroni’s correction in terms of width of confidence intervals for estimation. The method is applied to analyze data from the CODIACS trial in patients with depression.
A solution for the intractable inventory model when both demand and lead time are stochastic

Abstract We consider the reorder point, order quantity inventory model where the demand, D , and the lead time, L , are independently and identically distributed ( iid ) random variables. This model is analytically intractable because of order crossover. However, we show how to resolve the intractability by empirical means, for example, by regression relationships produced by simulation and factorial experiments. Using a normal approximation, we show how to obtain regression equations for the optimal cost and the optimal policy parameters (here the order quantity and the safety stock factor) in terms of the problem parameters (ordering cost per order, holding cost per unit per unit time, shortage cost per unit, the standard deviation of demand, and the standard deviation of lead time).
Choice Over Experiments

The decision maker is assumed to observe a large number of experiments. The paper presents conditions for the existence of a unique prior over distributions that generate each of the observed samples. The axioms over experiments admit a recursive non-expected utility representation over two-stage lotteries (Klibanoff et al., 2005). This representation allows for preferences that exhibit "ambiguity'' (or "uncertainty'') aversion in a way that is analogous to risk aversion without contravening the time-neutrality axiom of Segal (1990). The paper illustrates the concepts by measuring the relationship between a player's batting average and their salary in Major League Baseball. An increase in a standard measure of uncertainty, the variance of the posterior, is associated with a substantial reduction in player salaries holding other factors fixed.
The Synchronization of US Regional Business Cycles: Evidence from Retail Sales, 1919–62

Despite its central importance in the optimal currency area literature, little is known about when and why US regional business cycles became more synchronized. We shed light on these issues by (re)constructing a monthly index of retail sales for the 12 US Federal Reserve districts from 1919 to 1962, which for the first time allows the study of the synchronization of US regional cycles before and after the major reforms associated with the New Deal and World War II. We find that synchronization increased substantially in the 1930s and has since remained high. We argue that changes in regional industry structures and migration rates across regions cannot account for the increase in synchronization. In contrast, we find a strong relationship with changes in regional financial fragmentation and with the increase in interregional fiscal transfers.
Blood calcium as a prognostic indicator of left-displaced abomasum postsurgical correction success

Subclinical hypocalcemia, a reduction in blood calcium concentrations without apparent clinical signs of milk fever, occurs in 25 to 50% of early-postpartum dairy cows. Compared to their normocalcemic counterparts, research has shown these cows are at an increased risk of additional early-lactation diseases, including left-displaced abomasum (LDA). However, no work has assessed the association of total calcium (tCa) concentration at the time of LDA correction on subsequent milk yield and survival within the herd. Pending future development of an economical and accurate on-farm test for hypocalcemia, the ability to assess LDA prognosis post-surgical correction based on pre-correction blood tCa concentration is of great interest to practitioners. Therefore, our objective was to determine the association of blood tCa concentration at the time of LDA surgical correction on milk yield and removal from herd in the 60 d post-correction.
Sentinel lymphadenectomy for breast cancer: experience with 180 consecutive patients: efficacy of filtered technetium 99m sulphur colloid with overnight migration time.

Abstract Background: Axillary node status remains the most important prognostic indicator of survival in breast cancer patients. Only 25% to 35% of patients having standard level I/II axillary dissection have involved nodes, yet all accept the potential for morbidity after the operation. This study was conducted to assess whether status of the sentinel node(s) was an accurate predictor of the presence of metastatic disease in axillary or internal mammary nodes. Study Design: In 180 patients, technetium 99m sulphur colloid was injected in a 4-quadrant peritumoral distribution. During the first phase of the study, 72 patients had sentinel node excision followed by a level I/II axillary dissection. During the second phase of the study, 108 patients had sentinel node excision and only those with positive nodes had completion axillary dissection. Nodes were examined after formalin fixation by taking 10 sections at 20-μm intervals and staining with hematoxylin-eosin. Results: Sentinel nodes were found in 162 (90%) of 180 patients. The mean number of sentinel nodes examined was 3.1. Of the 162 patients with successful lymphatic mapping, positive sentinel nodes were found in 44 (27%). In 23 (66%) of 35 patients with positive sentinel nodes who had a completion level I/II axillary dissection, the sentinel nodes were the only positive nodes. The concurrent negative predictive value was 4% in the first 72 patients who had completion axillary dissection after sentinel node excision, and 2% for the entire series. With evolution of technique, identification of sentinel nodes with radiolabeled colloid was successful in 97% of the last 100 patients. Conclusions: Because the concurrent negative predictive value was low, sentinel node excision appeared to accurately identify node status, potentially avoiding the need for standard level I/II axillary dissection in sentinel node-negative patients.
Abstract 15967: Risk of Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias Following Ejection Fraction Improvement in Patients With Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators Implanted for Primary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death

Introduction: In patients who undergo cardiac device (ICD) implantation for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD), data is unclear if their generator needs to be replaced at end of life if their ejection fraction improves. Despite improvement in EF however, the underlying scar may remain the same. Methods: A retrospective study was performed at two high volume centers. Data on 280 patients who underwent ICD implantation for primary prevention of SCD was obtained after excluding patients with incomplete follow-up data. These patients were followed until November 2013 for any improvement in EF and if they underwent a generator change at device ERI. All arrhythmic events and appropriate and inappropriate shocks/ATP were all recorded. Mortality records were obtained from social security death index and chart review. Results: Thirty percent (n=86/280) of patients improved their EF to > 35% of which 41% (n=36) underwent a generator change by the study ending period for ERI/lead malfunction/infection issues with the rest not yet at ERI. Mean baseline EF in patients with and without EF improvement was 26±7% and 23±7%, p=0.2. Data for arrhythmic events was unavailable in n=25 patients in those with EF improvement and n =39 patients in those without EF improvement. Among the remaining 61 patients, appropriate events (shock+ATP) were noted in 22% of patients (n=14/61) and inappropriate shocks and ATP in 6% of (n=4/61) patients after their EF improved to > 35%. Two patients received a prior shock when their EF was low. In contrast, in patients who had no improvement in EF, 31% (n=48/155) received an appropriate event (p= Conclusions: Although patients with improvement in EF had fewer total events (ATP+shock) than those without improvement, the percentage of patients with ICD therapy post EF improvement with no prior ICD discharges is high enough (20%, n=12/59) to warrant an ICD despite EF improvement.
Mutational and functional analyses reveal that ST7 is a highly conserved tumor-suppressor gene on human chromosome 7q31.

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of markers on human chromosome 7q31 is frequently encountered in a variety of human neoplasias, indicating the presence of a tumor-suppressor gene (TSG). By a combination of microcell-fusion and deletion-mapping studies, we previously established that this TSG resides within a critical region flanked by the genetic markers D7S522 and D7S677. Using a positional cloning strategy and aided by the availability of near-complete sequence of this genomic interval, we have identified a TSG within 7q31, named ST7 (for suppression of tumorigenicity 7; this same gene was recently reported in another context and called RAY1). ST7 is ubiquitously expressed in human tissues. Analysis of a series of cell lines derived from breast tumors and primary colon carcinomas revealed the presence of mutations in ST7. Introduction of the ST7 cDNA into the prostate-cancer–derived cell line PC3 had no effect on the in vitro proliferation of the cells, but abrogated their in vivo tumorigenicity. Our data indicate that ST7 is a TSG within chromosome 7q31 and may have an important role in the development of some types of human cancer.