cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Etoposide and temozolomide in combination for the treatment of progressive small-cell lung cancer central nervous system metastases: two cases.

Introduction Progression of central nervous system (CNS) metastases from small cell lung cancer (SCLC) after radiation therapy is associated with a poor prognosis. Case reports We present two cases of patients with progressive CNS metastases from SCLC treated with oral temozolomide and etoposide. Sustained clinical responses and radiographic stability were demonstrated. The palliative chemotherapy regimen was well tolerated. Discussion A regimen of oral temozolomide and etoposide for progressive CNS metastases from SCLC is well tolerated and may be associated with sustained stability of disease.
A longitudinal study of the cause and consequences of changes in diversification in the U.S. pharmaceutical industry 1977–1986

The paper hypothesizes that diversification by firms based in the pharmaceutical industry during the 1977-86 time period was primarily undertaken to reduce the risks associated with being dependent upon a technologically dynamic environment. Consistent with this non-efficiency motive for diversification, declining economic performance is predicted. A longitudinal empirical analysis provides support for these propositions.
Stochastic and Epigenetic Changes of Gene Expression in Arabidopsis Polyploids

Polyploidization is an abrupt speciation mechanism for eukaryotes and is especially common in plants. However, little is known about patterns and mechanisms of gene regulation during early stages of polyploid formation. Here we analyzed differential expression patterns of the progenitors' genes among successive selfing generations and independent lineages. The synthetic Arabidopsis allotetraploid lines were produced by a genetic cross between A. thaliana and A. arenosa autotetraploids. We found that some progenitors' genes are differentially expressed in early generations, whereas other genes are silenced in late generations or among different siblings within a selfing generation, suggesting that the silencing of progenitors' genes is rapidly and/or stochastically established. Moreover, a subset of genes is affected in autotetraploid and multiple independent allotetraploid lines and in A. suecica, a natural allotetraploid derived from A. thaliana and A. arenosa, indicating locus-specific susceptibility to ploidy-dependent gene regulation. The role of DNA methylation in silencing progenitors' genes is tested in DNA-hypomethylation transgenic lines of A. suecica using RNA interference (RNAi). Two silenced genes are reactivated in both ddm1- and met1-RNAi lines, consistent with the demethylation of centromeric repeats and gene-specific regions in the genome. A rapid and stochastic process of differential gene expression is reinforced by epigenetic regulation during polyploid formation and evolution.
The globalization of nature.

The excellent summary and analysis by Kerry ten Kate (“Science and the Convention on Biological Diversity,” Policy Forum, 29 March, p. 2371) of the significance of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to science and research points out some successes and failures since the Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The human assault on Earth's natural environments was universally acknowledged by the international representatives attending that meeting, which was a turning point in the conservation, understanding, utilization, and sharing of the planet's biological riches. We view the CBD as a pivotal event in the globalization of Nature, in which the air we breath, the water we drink, the oceans we fish, and the plants and animals of Earth are at the center of perhaps the most profound economic development of the turn of the century. As one of the world's major natural history museums, charged with documenting and understanding the diversity and distribution of species past and present, the National Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian Insitution are calling for international cooperation among scientists to utilize new technologies to enhance the sharing of information on biodiversity. During the past decade, like minerals and fossil fuels, Earth's living organisms have become international commodities that are valued, owned, traded, and protected by local and national governments. A clear distinction must be made between scientific understanding and commercial exploitation of Nature. If we are to protect biodiversity, we must understand it, and to understand it, we must cooperate in a worldwide fashion. Such efforts are essential if the globalization of Nature is to benefit our society.
Increased resistance to oxysterol cytotoxicity in fibroblasts transfected with a lysosomally targeted Chromobacterium oxidase.

Ketocholesterol (7KC) is a cytotoxic oxy- sterol that plays a role in many age-related degenerative diseases. 7KC formation and accumulation often occurs in the lysosome, which hinders enzymatic transformations that reduce its toxicity and increase the sensitivity to lysosomal membrane permeabilization. We assayed the potential to mitigate 7KC cytotoxicity and enhance cell viability by overexpressing 7KC-active enzymes in human fibroblasts. One of the enzymes tested, a cholesterol oxidase engineered for lysosomal targeting, significantly increased cell viability in the short term upon treatment with up to 50 mM 7KC relative to controls. These results suggest targeting the lysosome for optimal treatment of oxysterol-mediated cy- totoxicity, and support the use of introducing novel catalytic function into the lysosome for therapeutic and research applications. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012;109: 2409-2415.
Sequence and spatial requirements for the tissue- and species-independent 3'-end processing mechanism of plant mRNA.

Two cis-regulatory regions are required for efficient mRNA 3{prime}-end processing of the maize 27-kDa zein mRNA: a region containing a duplicated AAUGAA poly(A) signal and a region that is present upstream from it. Strict spatial positioning of these two regions is required for efficient mRNA 3{prime}-end processing. Insertions of a stuffer sequence as short as 17 or 18 bp either between the upstream region and the two AAUGAA motifs or between the two AAUGAA motifs drastically reduced the efficiency of 3{prime}-end processing. Mutational analyses of the nucleotide preference at the fourth position of the AAUGAA motif revealed the preference order G > A >> C or U, suggesting that AAUAAA is neither a defective nor an optimal poly(A) signal for the 27-kDa zein mRNA. As for the 3{prime} control region of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) transcription unit, the mRNA 3{prime}-end processing mechanism mediated by the 27-kDa zein 3{prime} control sequence is neither tissue nor species specific. The 3{prime} upstream sequence of the 27-kDa zein gene can functionally replace that of the CaMV transcription unit. Conversely, the CaMV upstream sequence can mediate mRNA polyadenylation in the presence of a duplicated 27-kDa zein poly(A) signal. However, instead of the proximal poly(A)more » signal normally used in the 27-kDa zein mRNA, the distal signal is utilized. These results suggest that a general mechanism controls the 3{prime}-end processing of plant mRNAs and that the cis-regulatory functions mediated by their upstream regions are interchangeable. 35 refs., 5 figs.« less
A Critique of the National Security Policy: Towards 'Human Security' in Ethiopia

This paper critiques the Foreign Affairs and National Security Policy and Strategy (FANSPS) of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE). The thrust of its argument is that the central purpose of Ethiopia's foreign and security policy has remained the same, in spite of the shift in orientation. A change in discourse has not brought about a change in essence. Building Ethiopia’s defense capability takes precedence over ensuring human security in Ethiopia today. Non-military aspects of security have been relegated to a secondary place whilst human security should have been made to constitute the basis of the FANSPS. Besides, the Government must recognize the critical role of women in peace-making, peace-building, and security. To that end, it should come up with a workable national action plan for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and work aggressively to get a critical mass of women into leadership positions in the foreign affairs and security sector.
The Openness of the Commercial Free Speech Test and the Value of Self-Realization

There is certainly more than one way to think of self-realization as a value underlying freedom of commercial speech and its regulation. The accompanying Article argues for the distinctive importance of a particular version of self-realization: that of freely arrived-at human flourishing, personal development, genuine fulfillment, and even happiness itself. It is contended that the main current commercial free speech test, as developed in the Central Hudson case, can actually be interpreted as compatible with a relatively lax mere reasonableness test. Under our current broad cultural, institutional, and economic circumstances and power relationships, the most valuable forms of the free speech value of self-realization are generally best promoted by a mere reasonableness test of pure commercial speech regulations.
Concurrent Solenoid Design Optimization From Thermal and Electromagnetic Standpoints

This paper extends the previous effort by Gosselin and Bejan to optimize an electromagnet according to the constructal design approach. This paper pursues two objectives in the solenoid design: a constant Fabry factor of 0.16 and a minimum hot-spot temperature in the coil. In order to minimize the hot-spot temperature, cooling discs made of high thermal conductivity materials are inserted to transport heat to disc surfaces fixed at constant temperature (heat sink). Subsequently, two cooling disc configurations are investigated in this paper: discs with heat sinks on the outer surface and on both the inner and outer surfaces. A mathematical model for each configuration is presented and numerically verified using a commercial FEA software. These models are then used to examine the hot-spot temperature variation with respect to the number of cooling discs. In addition, optimal solenoid radius and length, as well as cooling disc volume, are determined for a range of fixed solenoid volumes; thereby, the ideal solenoid volume resulting in the minimum hot-spot temperature is found. In summary, the qualitative trend of the tradeoff between heat transfer and electromagnetic performances are analyzed, and the optimal design is deduced for the maximum performance from a combined standpoint.
EVOLUTION IN MIXED POPULATIONS OF TRIBOLIUM.

Comparative performance of pure and mixed stands of plants has received a great deal of experimental attention. More recently, dramatic improvement in mixtures of two strains of Drosophila melanogaster was reported by Seaton and Antonovics (1967). They found that a mutant and a wild type strain, which initially produced fewer progeny in mixtures than expected from their performance in pure cultures, changed dramatically in only three generations, after which the mixtures were consistently superior. It was shown that both the mutant and wild type strains improved in their ability to avoid interference by the other genotype. Sokal et al. (1970) were unable to repeat these results with either flour beetles or houseflies. Here I report two separate sets of experiments designed to explore this phenomenon in flour beetles, Tribolium castaneum and T. confusum, which have in recent years become an increasingly valuable tool to experimental population biologists (King and Dawson, 1972).
Electronic structure and spectroscopic analysis of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ion pair.

Electronic and structural properties of the room temperature ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulonyl)imide are studied using density functional theory (DFT) methods in addition to infrared and UV–vis spectroscopy. The DFT methods were conducted for both gas phase and solution phase using the integral equation formalism polarizable continuum model, while optical absorption experiments were conducted using neat and dilute methanol solutions. Three energetically similar conformers were obtained for each of the gas phase and solution phase DFT calculations. These multiple configurations were considered when analyzing the molecular interactions between the ion pair and for a molecular-level interpretation of the experimental IR and UV–vis spectroscopy data. Excitation energies of low-lying singlet excited states of the conformers were calculated with time-dependent DFT and experimentally with UV–vis absorption spectra. Difference density plots and excited-state calculations in the g...
MicroRNAs as regulatory elements in immune system logic

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial post-transcriptional regulators of haematopoietic cell fate decisions. They act by negatively regulating the expression of key immune development genes, thus contributing important logic elements to the regulatory circuitry. Deletion studies have made it increasingly apparent that they confer robustness to immune cell development, especially under conditions of environmental stress such as infectious challenge and ageing. Aberrant expression of certain miRNAs can lead to pathological consequences, such as autoimmunity and haematological cancers. In this Review, we discuss the mechanisms by which several miRNAs influence immune development and buffer normal haematopoietic output, first at the level of haematopoietic stem cells, then in innate and adaptive immune cells. We then discuss the pathological consequences of dysregulation of these miRNAs.
Summary of Work

Colloidal nanocrystals are a very interesting material system with inherent flexibility that exists well beyond their size tunable band gap. The choice in boundary conditions on their electronic states is quite large given the wide variety of semiconductor materials, heterostructure configurations, and geometric dimensions available. Thus, these nanocrystals serve as a rich playground for observing single, paired, and multicharge dynamics under a range of parameter configurations. Although ferromagnetic doping effects on these electronic states have certainly been a popular avenue of exploration, paramagnetic effects have remained largely overlooked.
Characterization of a new lymphoid organs-specific endothelial cells subset with high expression of VISTA negative co-stimulator protein

Peripheral tolerance is regulated through a network of co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory ligands and receptors. Targeting these molecules or their pathways has been promising in clinic in both oncoimmunology and autoimmunity. V-set domain Ig Suppressor of T cell Activation (VISTA) is a recently identified co-inhibitory member of the B7 family. VISTA suppresses T cell immune responses; interference with its function results in susceptibility to autoimmunity. Investigating expression pattern of VISTA in various cell types and tissues in mice, we identified a sub-population of endothelial cells present only within secondary lymphoid organs, which express high levels of VISTA; a finding not previously reported. Characterization of this subset revealed that VISTA-expressing endothelial cells (VEECs) are predominantly of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) origin, however, only less than half of LECs in lymphoid organs are VEECs. As LECs have been shown to induce tolerance via co-inhibitory molecules such as PD-L1, we studied the role of VEECs in regard to immune tolerance. FACS-sorted VEECs cells from secondary lymphoid organs of NOD and DBA mice were evaluated for the expression levels of various peripheral tissue antigens associated with immune tolerance. Our results show that in NOD VEECs the AIRE transcription factor, as well as some diabetic autoimmunity-associated peripheral tissue antigens of pancreatic origin (insulin-2 and Rrad) are significantly up-regulated. To further investigate the regulatory role of VEECs, we applied co-culture assays and evaluated the effects of VISTA expression by endothelial cells on T cell function.
Spatial filtering velocimeter for gas solid flow based on ring-type capacitance sensor

A spatial filtering velocimeter for solid particle velocity measurement in gas-solid flow system is presented based on a ring type capacitance sensor array in the paper. The fundamental spatial filtering principle of the sensor is theoretically analyzed. A new measurement method by combining differential excitation and differential detection is further proposed to improve sensor sensitivity and to remove the pedestal component of the output signal. The new approach is verified by means of simulations. To show the practical usability a flow sensor based on spatial filtering is built up and tested in gravity-fed particle flow setup. Experimental results verify the method's ability of providing accurate velocity information for a particle flow system.
Negative emotions in veterans relate to suicide risk through feelings of perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness

Abstract Background Suicide rates among veterans are disproportionately high compared to rates among the general population. Veterans may experience a number of negative emotions (e.g., anger, self-directed hostility, shame, guilt) during periods of postwar adjustment and reintegration into civilian life that may uniquely confer risk for suicide. Mechanisms of these associations, however, are less well studied. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between negative emotions and suicide risk in veterans through the theoretical framework of the interpersonal theory of suicide. Methods A large sample of veterans (N = 541) completed measures assessing their negative emotions, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and suicide risk. Results Self-directed hostility and shame related indirectly to suicide risk through both perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. Thwarted belongingness accounted for the association between anger and suicide risk, whereas perceived burdensomeness accounted for the relationship between guilt and suicide risk. Limitations This study had a cross-sectional design and relied solely on self-report measures. Conclusions These findings provide evidence for the role of negative emotions in conferring risk for suicide in veterans. Clinical implications, limitations, and future research directions are discussed.
Targeting Myddosome Self-Assembly in Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia

Background: MYD88 mutations are present in over 95% of patients with Waldenstrom9s Macroglobulinemia (WM), and promote Myddosome self-assembly that triggers NFκB-dependent survival through BTK and IRAK1/IRAK4 (Blood 122(7):1222-32). While current therapeutic strategies are aimed at blocking these downstream kinases, peptidomimetics that interfere with Myddosome self-assembly may offer a more targeted approach for blocking aberrant MYD88 signaling. Methods: We expressed by lentiviral transduction mini-peptides of MYD88 Toll/Interleukin-1 Receptor (TIR) or Death Domain (DD) sequences in mutated MYD88 WM and wild-type MYD88 control cells ( Figure 1 ). We used phospho-flow analysis to evaluate for changes in pBTK, pIRAK1/IRAK4, and pNFKB, and determined cell growth and survival by Alamar Blue Assay, Annexin V, and cleaved Caspase 3 staining. Results: Transduction of TIR or DD mini-peptides in mutated MYD88 WM cells but not wild-type MYD88 control cells reduced NFKB activation and tumor cell growth, and prompted Annexin V and/or cleaved Caspase 3 staining. TIR interfering mini-peptides impacted BTK but not IRAK1/IRAK4 activation, whereas DD interfering mini-peptides showed an opposite effect. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate differences in BTK versus IRAK1/IRAK4 directed NFKB signaling in response to Myddosome self-assembly in MYD88 mutated WM cells. The feasibility of directly targeting MYD88 homodimerization to block aberrant MYD88 signaling was also recognized, and suitable peptide sequences for the development of peptidomimetics that interfere with Myddosome self-assembly and signaling were identified. The findings provide a framework for direct targeting of the Myddosome in MYD88 mutated WM disease. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Sea of Prosperity: Foundations of the California Commercial Abalone Fishery

Beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, the first commercial abalone fishery sprang to life along the shores of central and southern California, an industry founded and developed by pioneering Chinese immigrants. Archaeological survey and excavation projects along California’s offshore islands and historical records searches have uncovered details on how Chinese immigrants established what became a multi-million dollar commercial fishery. Here, we offer the first synthesis of archaeological and historical data of Chinese abalone fishing across California’s Channel Islands. Our results reveal details about the history and lifeways of Chinese fishermen, their business practices, and their participation in local, regional, and global economies.
Restoration of Aqueous Humor Outflow Following Transplantation of iPSC-Derived Trabecular Meshwork Cells in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Glaucoma

Purpose Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is particularly common in older individuals and associated with pathologic degeneration of the trabecular meshwork (TM). We have shown previously that transplantation of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived TM cells restores aqueous humor dynamics in young transgenic mice expressing a pathogenic form of human myocilin (Tg-MYOCY437H). This study was designed to determine if this approach is feasible in older mice with more pronounced TM dysfunction. Methods Mouse iPSC were differentiated toward a TM cell phenotype (iPSC-TM) and injected into the anterior chamber of 6-month-old Tg-MYOCY437H or control mice. IOP and aqueous humor outflow facility were recorded for up to 3 months. Transmission electron microscopy, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were performed to analyze TM morphology, quantify endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and assess TM cellularity. Results A 12 weeks after transplantation, IOP in iPSC-TM recipients was statistically lower and outflow facility was significantly improved compared to untreated controls. The number of endogenous TM cells increased significantly in iPSC-TM recipients along with the appearance of TM cells immmunopositive for a marker of cellular division. Morphologically, transplantation of iPSC-TM preserves ER structure 12 weeks after transplantation. However, myocilin and calnexin expression levels remain elevated in transplanted eyes of these 9-month-old Tg-MYOCY437H mice, indicating that ER stress persists within the TM. Conclusions Transplantation of iPSC-TM can restore IOP and outflow facility in aged Tg-MYOCY437H mice. This type of stem cell-based therapy is a promising possibility for restoration of IOP control in some glaucoma patients.
Role of thiosulfate in hydrogen sulfide-dependent redox signaling in endothelial cells

This report provides new evidence that different levels of exogenous thiosulfate dynamically change discrete sulfide biochemical metabolite bioavailability in endothelial cells under normoxia or hy...
Creolizing Collective Memory: Refusing the Settler Memory of the Reconstruction Era

The collective memory of the Reconstruction era in US history is a good example of Jane Anna Gordon's notion of 'creolization' at work. I argue that this is an era that could do with even further creolizing by refusing the influence of settler memory. Settler memory refers to the capacity both to know and disavow the history and contemporary implications of genocidal violence toward Indigenous people and the accompanying land dispossession that serve as the fundamental bases for creating settler colonial nations-states. One of the most important works on the Reconstruction Era is W.E.B. Du Bois’ canonical text, Black Reconstruction in America: 1860–1880 , published in 1935. I examine both the creolizing elements of DuBois' argument and also suggest how attention to settler memory can further creolize our grasp of this period through a re-reading of his text and putting it into the context of other developments occuring during the years he examines.
Academic Libraries on Social Media: Finding the Students and the Information They Want

Librarians from Purdue University wanted to determine which social media platforms students use, which platforms they would like the library to use, and what content they would like to see from the library on each of these platforms. We conducted a survey at four of the nine campus libraries to determine student social media habits and preferences. Results show that students currently use Facebook, YouTube, and Snapchat more than other social media types; however, students responded that they would like to see the library on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Students wanted nearly all types of content from the libraries on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, but they did not want to receive business news or content related to library resources on Snapchat. YouTube was seen as a resource for library service information. We intend to use this information to develop improved communication channels, a clear libraries social media presence, and a cohesive message from all campus libraries.
Synthesized Mammography: Clinical Evidence, Appearance, and Implementation

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) has improved conventional mammography by increasing cancer detection while reducing recall rates. However, these benefits come at the cost of increased radiation dose. Synthesized mammography (s2D) has been developed to provide the advantages of DBT with nearly half the radiation dose. Since its F.D.A. approval, multiple studies have evaluated the clinical performance of s2D. In clinical practice, s2D images are not identical to conventional 2D images and are designed for interpretation with DBT as a complement. This article reviews the present literature to assess whether s2D is a practical alternative to conventional 2D, addresses the differences in mammographic appearance of findings, and provides suggestions for implementation into clinical practice.
The Invisible Employee: Success and Fragility of Automating Interlibrary Loan

ABSTRACTLibraries and their interlibrary loan departments have enacted different methods for improving processes and services to create greater efficiency and less waste. Techniques range from holi...
Introduction to Fast Digital Access and FTTdp Networks

To satisfy the increasing demands for higher bandwidth, the fixed broadband access network is continuously improved. Twisted pair copper-based Internet access is still the dominant fixed access technology. The most recent development step on the copper access network is the G.fast technology, which aims to provide Gbit/s services for each subscriber in a fiber to the distribution point (FTTdp) topology. The main challenges are the use of high frequencies up to 212 MHz on low quality copper wires, which requires to operate on high crosstalk channels and the strict power consumption targets which result from the FTTdp topology.
Tragic Irony: Ancient and Modern

If we go back in time for a brief consideration of the ancient Greek drama, we do so in order further to determine the meaning of our central term: irony, in this case tragic irony. If tragic irony is a universal literary category, why did it not make itself felt before the time of Friedrich Schlegel and the advent of romanticism? Certainly it is not an invention or discovery of the modern mind, and yet Aristotle, that astute and far-ranging philosophical critic, makes no reference to it at all, not in our sense of the term. Not until many centuries later do critics make much of the element of irony but only as a rhetorical device that brings out the contradiction between what a character says and what he actually means. The concept of tragic irony (what Thirlwall loosely called “the irony of fate”) does not establish itself on the literary scene until the romantic revolt breaks out in full force. Why did the modern sensibility stress so obsessively that to which the classical mind seemed utterly blind?
Radical Distal Subtotal Gastrectomy and D2 Lymphadenectomy for Gastric Cancer

Robotic radical subtotal distal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy is a safe, feasible, and oncologically sound minimally invasive option for curative resection of gastric cancer located in the antrum or distal half of the stomach [1]. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) performed with curative intent for gastric cancer demonstrates improved patient outcome measures when compared to the traditional open radical gastrectomy including less pain and overall earlier recovery [2–7].
A descriptive study of race and gender differences in how instructional style and perceived professor care influence decisions to major in STEM

Women and students of color are widely underrepresented in the majority of STEM fields. In order to investigate this underrepresentation, we interviewed over 200 male and female college seniors, primarily women and people of color, who either majored in STEM or started but dropped a STEM major. Here, we focus on one section of the longer interview that focused on students’ perceptions of professor care as well as perceived and preferred instruction style. Additionally, we look at correlations between professor care, course interactivity, and sense of belonging. In our analysis, we examine student responses through the lens of gender, race, and their intersections. We found that white women perceived their STEM professors cared about them and their learning the most while women of color reported the least perceived care. Notably, men, regardless of race, reported similar perceptions of professor care. We found that students commonly report their STEM courses were lecture-based but say they would prefer more active approaches. In particular, we found that women who left STEM majors reported more lecture-based instruction while stating the highest preference for active learning environments. We found that perceiving their professors cared was related to a greater sense of belonging in STEM. Additionally, we found that students who reported active classrooms also reported more professor care in their STEM field. Our findings indicate that active teaching environments may positively impact students’ sense of belonging and desire to continue in STEM and that this impact may be higher for underrepresented students.
Impaired coronary and retinal vasomotor function to hyperoxia in Individuals with Type 2 diabetes.

Abstract Purpose Adults with diabetes are at a high risk of developing coronary heart disease. The purpose of this study was to assess coronary artery vascular function non-invasively in individuals with and without Type 2 diabetes and to compare these coronary responses to another microvascular bed (i.e. retina). We hypothesized that individuals with diabetes would have impaired coronary reactivity and that these impairments would be associated with impairments in retinal reactivity. Methods Coronary blood velocity (Transthoracic Doppler Echocardiography) and retinal diameters (Dynamic Vessel Analyzer) were measured continuously during five minutes of breathing 100% oxygen (i.e. hyperoxia) in 15 persons with Type 2 diabetes and 15 age-matched control subjects. Using fundus photographs, retinal vascular calibers were also measured (central retinal arteriole and venule equivalents). Results Individuals with diabetes compared to controls had impaired coronary (− 2.34 ± 16.64% vs. –14.27 ± 10.58%, P = 0.03) and retinal (arteriole: − 0.04 ± 3.34% vs. − 3.65 ± 5.07%, P = 0.03; venule: − 1.65 ± 3.68% vs. − 5.23 ± 5.47%, P = 0.05) vasoconstrictor responses to hyperoxia, and smaller central arteriole–venule equivalent ratios (0.83 ± 0.07 vs. 0.90 ± 0.07, P = 0.014). Coronary reactivity was associated with central retinal arteriole equivalents (r = − 0.516, P = 0.005) and retinal venular reactivity (r = 0.387, P = 0.034). Conclusion Diabetes impairs coronary and retinal microvascular f unction to hyperoxia. Impaired vasoconstrictor responses may be part of a systemic diabetic vasculopathy, which may contribute to adverse cardiovascular events in individuals with diabetes.
Excellence in the Design and Delivery of an Online Global Health Survey Course: A Roadmap for Educators

The release of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in 2016, the growing use of online delivery formats for public health education, and the urgent need to train an expanding global hea...
The Economics of Connectivity: Communication Markets

Platforms that enable sharing have become revenue machines, evoking basic emotions to maximize the number of hours individuals spend on their site. Curiosity about how others live their lives can be satisfied by lingering on social media sites. Images accompanied by bite-sized annotations become daily refreshed resumes. The advertising-driven business model supports free platforms for the supply of content, quite often trivia, in order to build self-image. Demand for content is encouraged by free information, increased leisure time and flexible consumption via mobile devices.
Survivance storywork: Expecting more from ourselves

Although social studies education seems a logical place to teach about the history and continued influence of settler colonialism, the field has largely avoided the topic by excluding Indigenous1 h...
Studies on the vector competence of a Mid-western strain of Aedes vexans (Meigen) (Diptera: Culicidae) for West Nile Virus

Aedes vexans (Meigen) mosquitoes were given access to 2to 4-day-old chickens inoculated with 10 CID50s / ml West Nile Virus (WNV) at 1 day old. Mosquitoes were given access to chickens at different intervals after inoculation to make certain that blood meals from chickens were of varying virus titers. No differences occurred in infection rates of Ae. vexans and Culex pipiens (L.) fed on the same WNV viremic chicken. Infection rates of Ae. vexans were higher (79%) when fed on chickens with viremias of 6.0 log10 WNV PFUs / ml or higher than they were (27%) in mosquitoes fed on chickens with viremias below 6.0 log10 WNV PFUs / ml. Dissemination rates were similar in Ae. vexans 14 and 21 days post blood feeding (PBF) (74 % and 74 %, respectively) . Likewise, transmission rates were similar in Ae. vexans 14 days and 21 days PBF (25 % and 27 %, respectively). Aedes vexans fed on viremic chickens became infected, developed disseminated infections, ________________ Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011 USA Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011 USA Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011 USA
A Case of Thrombus in Transit: Role of POCUS in Early Diagnosis of Pulmonary Thromboembolism

Pulmonary embolism is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality. Thrombus in transit is defined on ultrasound as mobile echogenic material, temporarily located in the right heart chambers making its way to the pulmonary vasculature, which is highly diagnostic of pulmonary embolism. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) places significant role in early diagnosis of thrombus in transit. Point-of-care ultrasound also avoids the need for subsequent computed tomography angiogram for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. We present the case of 53-year-old male who presented with shortness of breath and was noted to have sinus tachycardia; thrombus in transit was diagnosed by point-of-care ultrasound and was subsequently confirmed through computer tomography angiogram of the pulmonary artery.
Improving nutritional accuracy and economics through a multiple ration-grouping strategy.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to develop a model application to systematize nutritional grouping (NG) management in commercial dairy farms. The model has 4 sub-sections: (1) real-time data stream integration, (2) calculation of nutritional parameters, (3) grouping algorithm, and (4) output reports. A simulation study on a commercial Wisconsin dairy farm was used to evaluate our NG model. On this dairy farm, lactating cows (n = 2,374 ± 185) are regrouped weekly in 14 pens according to their parity and lactation stage, for which 9 diets are provided. Diets are seldom reformulated and nutritional requirements are not factored to allocate cows to pens. The same 14 pens were used to simulate the implementation of NG using our model, closely following the current farm criteria but also including predicted nutritional requirements (net energy for lactation and metabolizable protein; NEL and MP) and milk yield in an attempt to generate more homogeneous groups of cows for improved diet accuracy. The goal of the simulation study was to implement a continuous weekly system for cows' pen allocation and diet formulation. The predicted MP and NEL requirements from the NG were used to formulate the diets using commercial diet formulation software and the same feed ingredients, feed prices, and other criteria as the current farm diets. Diet MP and NEL densities were adjusted to the nutritional group requirements. Results from the simulation study indicated that the NG model facilitates the implementation of an NG strategy and improves diet accuracy. The theoretical diet cost and predicted nitrogen supply with NG decreased for low-nutritional-requirement groups and increased for high-nutritional-requirement groups compared with current farm groups. The overall average N supply in diets for NG management was 15.14 g/cow per day less than the current farm grouping management. The average diet cost was $3,250/cow per year for current farm management and $3,219/cow per year for NG, which resulted in a theoretical $31/cow per year diet cost savings.
Investigating lane change behaviors and difficulties for senior drivers using naturalistic driving data.

Abstract Introduction: Lane changes can be a complicated maneuver occurring a dynamic environment requiring the integration of many streams of information. Older drivers may struggle with lane changes which may elevate crash risk. Methods: Real-world lane change behaviors were examined using the Second Strategic Highway Research Program Naturalistic Driving Study database. A total of 393 lane changes were observed for two age groups: middle-aged (30–49), and older (70+) drivers. Results: Older drivers were highly likely to fail to execute an over-the-shoulder glance prior to initiation of a lane change (in 98% of left lane changes and 92% for right lane changes). Older drivers also showed higher rates of OTS glance errors at any point during the lane change in 95% of left lane changes and 86% of right-lane changes. Additionally, older drivers frequently failed to activate the turn signal prior to lane change initiation (60% of lane changes for right changes and 59% for left lane changes). Of the older drivers that made side mirror glances, many occurred after the initiation of the maneuver (46% of left lane changes and 58% of right lane changes) suggesting glances were occurring while changing lanes. Conclusions: Results for older drivers showed that many key glances (particularly side mirror checks) and turn signal actuations observed in the current study occurred after the initiation of the lane change, ostensibly when this action may be too late to gather relevant information and avoid a conflict. Practical Applications: Knowledge of glance patterns during lane changes for older drivers can help older drivers maintain travel mobility as they age. Either through training to reinforce OTS and side mirror glances, or supplemental devices like convex mirrors or oversized rearview mirrors, older drivers can reduce high-risk lane change maneuvers and help older drivers to maintain their mobility and independence longer.
The epidemiology of the opioid overdose epidemic in the United States

Abstract The opioid overdose epidemic in the United States is of historic proportion. This chapter describes the scope and epidemiology of the crisis; using the framework of the “Triple Wave” each phase of the overdose epidemic – due to pills, heroin and illicit synthetic opioids – will be discussed separately in terms of regional distribution, demographics and supply and demand drivers. All three waves have impressive supply-side drivers including excessive prescribing of medication, a new form of highly refined Mexican-sourced heroin and a new illicit source of synthetic opioids, i.e., fentanyls, adulterating heroin and counterfeit pills. Demand for opioid pills partially drove demand for heroin while demand for heroin unsuspectingly feeds demand for synthetics-as-substitute. What is driving increases in opioid mortality most recently are deaths due to fentanyl-adulterated or -substituted heroin. The second and third waves are largely regional, with the Northeast (including Mid-Atlantic) and Midwest (including Appalachia), the most affected regions. To address the epidemic, both supply and demand side interventions are discussed. Considering the inadequate and paradoxical effects of current opioid supply interventions, supply-side policies must be combined with sufficient investments in and expansion of effective prevention, substance use treatment and harm reduction services.
Lucy Science Planning: Incorporating Lessons Learned from over a Decade of Space Ops Experience

The Lucy mission will be the first spacecraft to study the Trojan asteroids, located on the same orbit as Jupiter at the Lagrange Points for the Jupiter-Sun orbit. Due to the large distances that the spacecraft is required to travel in order to survey the six selected asteroids, the primary mission will take over 12 years to complete. How do we design software to stand the test of time? In this paper we detail how the Lucy team implemented the lessons learned from multiple missions (Rosetta, New Horizons, CYGNSS, etc …), as well as leveraging the work of the open source software community to accelerate the development of the Trojan Planning File Generator (TPFG); the science planning and sequencing system for the Lucy mission. We explore how the convergence, and increasing stability of software practices developed around the world lead to the design decisions made on the TPFG project. TPFG is a multi-part system; a Python back-end that powers a web-based interface. We also show how utilizing popular frameworks, and following best practices have streamlined software development and enabled the Lucy team to develop an initial working version in a matter of months.
Management Program for Improving Reproductive Performance

What do we expect of a beef cow as far as reproduction is concerned? We would like to have every cow in the herd wean a calf every year and have all the calves dropped early in the calving season. All cows don’t wean a calf and we have late calvers. Therefore, we need to find ways to improve this situation. This paper will point out some of the reasons for poor reproductive performance and then outline ways to improve reproduction. Three steps can be taken to improve reproduction performance: 1. Shorten the breeding season2. Develop replacement heifers properly3. Feed proper level of nutrition.
The plaza II site excavation of a colonial Spanish well in St. Augustine, Florida

In 1975 a large Spanish colonial period coquina well was excavated in the plaza of St. Augustine, Florida. This well was undoubtly a large public monument, and its discovery adds to the scanty knowledge of early Spanish architecture in this city. Moreover, the analysis of faunal material from the well fill and its comparison with known Spanish domestic sites permits cross-cultural insights into dietary and subsistence patterns between Spanish and British inhabitants of St. Augustine in their respective colonial periods.
Abstract 394: Differential Effects of Platelet Inhibition on Angiotensin II-Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Rupture in Mice

Objective: Currently, there is no proven medical approach to attenuate the expansion or rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). It is estimated that >90% of AAA patients are on anti-platelet regiments without documented benefit or clinical evaluation. Therefore, we examined the effects of pharmaceutical blockade of platelet activation in either early or late-stage angiotensin II (AngII)-induced AAA formation. Methods and Results: Male Ldlr -/- mice (8 weeks) fed a saturated fat and cholesterol-enriched diet were infused with AngII (1,000 ng/kg/min) via mini-osmotic pumps for 28 days. In one experiment, groups of mice received either aspirin (30 mg/L via drinking water [ASA]) or diet supplemented with the P2Y12 inhibitor clopidogrel (50 mg/kg/day [Plavix]) 1 week prior to and throughout infusion (n > 15 all groups). All treatments were associated with a significant increase in aortic rupture-induced death versus placebo groups (P < 0.05; Plavix [58% vs. 0%]; and ASA [64% vs. 10%]). In a second experiment, Ldlr -/- mice were similarly fed and infused for 28 days and then stratified, based on aortic lumen diameters, utilizing noninvasive ultrasonography into 4 different groups: ASA (30 mg/L via drinking water), ASA placebo control, Plavix (50 mg/kg/day via food), and Plavix placebo control. Mice were continuously infused with AngII for an additional 42 days. Ex vivo platelet reactivity to adenosine diphosphate and arachidonic acid was conducted throughout the experiment to confirm systemic drug delivery. All treatments were associated with a significant decrease in aortic rupture-induced death versus placebo groups (P < 0.05; [66% placebo vs. 8% ASA] and [58% placebo vs. 0% Plavix]. None of the treatments affected plasma cholesterol, lipoprotein distributions, or increases in systolic blood pressure in either study. In vivo imaging and histopathology demonstrated these anti-platelet agents reduced abdominal macrophage infiltration and matrix metalloproteinase activity in the intervention study. Conclusion: This study demonstrates different roles of platelets in the initiation and progression of AAA and warrants further investigation.
Quantifying non-functional requirements: a process oriented approach

In this work, we propose a framework for quantifying non-functional requirements (NFRs). This framework uses quality characteristics of the execution domain, application domain and component architectures to refine qualitative requirements into quantifiable ones. Conflicts are resolved during the refinement process and more concrete non-functional requirements are produced.
Ethical development of advanced technology: A postmodern stakeholder perspective

Zygmunt Bauman is arguably the most well-known theorist in postmodern ethics. He argues that to develop and enforce universal ethical laws or codes leads to an abdication of individual moral responsibility. Actors rely on external rules and a rational consideration of costs and benefits rather than on moral impulse. In order to recognize and act upon moral impulse, the moral agent must both recognize and understand the Other. We operationalize these ideas, applying them to the development of advanced information technology (AIT) in organizations. We propose that a stakeholder theory of enabling can be used to formulate processes that will give form and voice to the Other by providing mechanisms for face-to-face interactions and dialogue. Applying the principles of affirmative postmodern ethics through an enabling stakeholder oriented system development process explicitly allows for the examination of moral concerns which might otherwise be overlooked, ignored, or silenced.