cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Osteopetrotic (op/op) mice have reduced microglia, no Aβ deposition, and no changes in dopaminergic neurons

Background: Activation of microglia is a part of the inflammatory response in neurodegenerative diseases but its role in the pathophysiology of these diseases is still unclear. The osteopetrotic (op/ op) mouse lacks colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) and thus has a deficiency in microglia and macrophages. Prior reports have demonstrated that op/op mice deposit amyloid β (Aβ) plaques, similar to those found in Alzheimer's disease. The purpose of these studies was to confirm this and to determine if the lack of CSF-1 affects the development of dopaminergic neurons and the expression of CD200, a known microglial inhibitory protein. Method: We examined the central nervous system of op/op mice at 30 days, 60 days and 7 months of age and wildtype littermates at 30 days using immunohistochemistry and histochemistry. Results: We found a decrease in the number of microglia in 1 month-old op/op mice compared to wildtype (WT) littermates as measured by CD11b, CD45, CD32/16, CD68, CD204 and F4/80 immunoreactivity. Aβ plaques were not detected, while the number of dopaminergic neurons appeared normal. The expression of CD200 appeared to be normal, but there appeared to be a lower expression in the substantia nigra. Conclusion: In contrast to a prior report we did not detect Aβ deposition in the central nervous system of op/op mice at 30 days, 60 days or 7 months of age and there was a normal number of dopaminergic neurons. This indicates that op/op mice may be useful to examine the effects of microglia on neurodegenerative disease progression by breeding them to different transgenic mouse models. In addition, the lack of CSF-1 does not appear to affect CD200 expression by neurons but we did note a decrease in the substantia nigra of op/op and WT mice, suggesting that this may be a mechanism by which microglia control may be attenuated in this specific area during Parkinson's disease.
Formulas for Using Wave Plates in Ellipsometry

Formulas are presented for the use of optical compensators in ellipsometers. Nothing need be known about the compensator characteristics other than the directions of “fast” and “slow” axes. The formulas can be used, without modification, when the compensator is not an exact quarter-wave plate, when multiple internal reflections are present, and when the compensator is absorbing. Also described is a method for calibrating the compensator at the same time it is being used in ellipsometry measurements.
Interstitial Lung Disease in Older Patients

The term interstitial lung disease (ILD), sometimes also called diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD), refers to a heterogeneous group of lung disorders that share clinical, radiographic, and pathologic features. Prognosis and decisions regarding therapy depend upon a specific diagnosis being made from within this large category of disease. Diagnosis is based upon a careful history, detailed physical examination, as well as review of laboratory data, physiologic studies, radiography, and in some cases, pathologic tissue. Frequently, review at a multidisciplinary conference is necessary. While certain diseases vary in incidence and prevalence by age, the approach to interstitial lung disease in the older patient is similar to that in younger patients. Decisions regarding diagnostic approach and therapy must be individualized based upon the patient’s respiratory status, comorbid medical conditions, and personal desires.
Immunity to Measles in Pregnant Mothers and in Cord Blood of Their Infants: Impact of HIV Status and Mother’s Place of Birth

Antibody levels to measles were evaluated in 16 HIV-seropositive and 34 seronegative pregnant women and in cord blood samples of their infants. Infants were followed prospectively, and a second blood sample was taken at 3-7 months of age. Antibody levels were significantly lower in HIV-seropositive pregnant women and HIV-exposed cord bloods at birth (p=0.01 and 0.04, respectively) compared to controls. The prevalence of protective immunity (≥ 1.09 optical density ratio) was also significantly lower (p=0.02) in HIV-seropositive pregnant women. T-cell counts were lower in HIV-seropositive women who were nonimmune (268/mm3) to measles compared to those who were immune (618/mm3), but the difference did not reach significance (p=0.07). Immunity to measles declined significantly to nonprotective levels in all infant samples obtained at 3-7 months of age. A secondary analysis determined the impact of mother’s place of birth. Antibody levels were significantly higher (p=0.03) in foreign-born HIV-seronegative pregnant women and cord blood samples (p=0.01) compared to U.S.-born HIV-seronegative pregnant women seen in our inner-city clinic. Thus, HIV-seropositive and even some seronegative U.S.-born women may need a booster vaccine to ensure passage of adequate levels of passive immunity.
Total Pancreatectomy With Islet Autotransplantation Improves Quality of Life in Patients With Refractory Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis.

Background & Aims Therapeutic options are limited for patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis who have intractable symptoms despite maximal endoscopic and medical treatment, but equivocal or no morphologic or functional evidence of chronic pancreatitis. We performed a prospective observational cohort study to determine the efficacy of total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) for these patients. Methods We collected data from all patients undergoing TPIAT at the University of Minnesota from 2007 through 2013; 49 patients (42 female; mean age, 32.8 ± 7.8 years) had a diagnosis of recurrent acute pancreatitis not provoked by intervention, with negative or equivocal findings from nondiagnostic imaging or pancreatic function tests for chronic pancreatitis, and intractable pain between episodes. Data on insulin use, narcotic requirements, pain scores, and health-related quality of life were collected before TPIAT; 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year afterward; and then yearly. Results All 49 patients studied required narcotics before TPIAT (45 daily users and 4 intermittent users); 2 had insulin-treated diabetes. At 1 year after TPIAT, 22 out of 48 patients (46%) reported no use of narcotic pain medications ( P P P = .019 for the mental component summary). At 1 year after TPIAT, 21 out of 48 patients (45%) were insulin independent; their mean percent glycosylated hemoglobin A 1c at 1 year after TPIAT was 6.0% ± 0.9% (5.2% ± 0.6% pre-TPIAT). Conclusions Patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis but lacking clear chronic pancreatitis benefit from TPIAT, with outcomes similar to those previously described for patients with chronic pancreatitis (improved quality of life and reduced narcotic use). For these patients who have otherwise limited surgical treatment options, TPIAT can be considered when medical and endoscopic therapies have failed.
Enhancement of Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) Baculovirus Activity by Optical Brighteners

Addition of the selected optical brighteners Leucophor BS, Leucophor BSB, Phorwite AR, Phorwite RKH, and Tinopal LPW to the gypsy moth nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) reduced the LC50from 18,000 polyhedral inclusion bodies (PIB)/ml to values between 10 (Phorwite RKH) and 44 (Leucophor BSB) PIB/m. These brighteners also reduced the LT50at every virus concentration tested. At the highest virus concentration (1 × 106 PIB/ml), LT50s were reduced from 13.9 to 7.1 d. The addition of Tinopal LPW to the virus also enhanced mortality among mature (fourth instar) larvae. The magnitude of reduction in LC50s and LT50S in gypsy moth larvae indicated that selected brighteners greatly enhanced the virulence of the gypsy moth NPV.
Tilorone: its selective effects on humoral and cell-mediated immunity.

SummaryWe have shown selective activity of tilorone with regard to humoral and cell-mediated responses. The compound enhanced antibody production as shown by an increase in IgM and IgG antibody-forming cells in the primary and secondary immune responses, it enhanced reactivity to thymus-dependent and thymus-independent antigens, and it increased circulating IgE-like antibodies in the rat. Tilorone inhibits cell-mediated responses as shown by its suppression of paralysis in EAE, blocking of the tuberculin skin reactions, and its inhibition of inflammation in adjuvant arthritis.We thank Mr. V. G. Butler, Ms. N. Munro, and Ms. L. L. Thomas for their excellent technical assistance. We also thank Dr. J. P. Gibson for the histologic examination of tissues.
Cellular Organization of Triacylglycerol Biosynthesis in Microalgae

Eukaryotic cells are characterized by compartmentalization and specialization of metabolism within membrane-bound organelles. Nevertheless, many fundamental processes extend across multiple subcellular compartments. Here, we describe and assess the pathways and cellular organization of triacylglycerol biosynthesis in microalgae. In particular, we emphases the dynamic interplay among the endoplasmic reticulum, lipid droplets and chloroplasts in acyl remodeling and triacylglycerol accumulation under nitrogen starvation in the model alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
Drug dependence and its treatment. First of two parts.

In repealing prohibition, we significantly enlarged the population at risk of drug dependence and the incidence of drug toxicity. Today's youth will have to face that probability in their pressure to legalize new “goofogenic” drugs for recreation before we know the hazards or the appropriate social controls.
Effects of reduced mitochondrial DNA content on secondary mitochondrial toxicant exposure in Caenorhabditis elegans

The mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) is intimately linked to cellular and organismal health, as demonstrated by the fact that mutations in and depletion of mtDNA result in severe mitochondrial disease in humans. However, cells contain hundreds to thousands of copies of mtDNA, which provides genetic redundancy, and creates a threshold effect in which a large percentage of mtDNA must be lost prior to clinical pathogenesis. As certain pharmaceuticals and genetic mutations can result in depletion of mtDNA, and as many environmental toxicants target mitochondria, it is important to understand whether reduced mtDNA will sensitize an individual to toxicant exposure. Here, using ethidium bromide (EtBr), which preferentially inhibits mtDNA replication, we reduced mtDNA 35-55% in the in vivo model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Chronic, lifelong, low-dose EtBr exposure did not disrupt nematode development or lifespan, and induced only mild alterations in mitochondrial respiration, while having no effect on steady-state ATP levels. Next, we exposed nematodes with reduced mtDNA to the known and suspected mitochondrial toxicants aflatoxin B1, arsenite, paraquat, rotenone or ultraviolet C radiation (UVC). EtBr pre-exposure resulted in mild sensitization of nematodes to UVC and arsenite, had no effect on AfB1 and paraquat, and provided some protection from rotenone toxicity. These mixed results provide a first line of evidence suggesting that reduced mtDNA content may sensitize an individual to certain environmental exposures.
The Role of Planning in Minimizing the Negative Impacts of Global Climate Change

Climate change is one of the most salient challenges to society, both today and in the near future. Considering the complexity, uncertainties, and scale of possible global climate change (GCC) impacts, there is agreement that urban planning has the capacity to facilitate the development and implementation of adaptation as well as mitigation strategies. The land use planning system provides a framework to reduce greenhouse gas emissions considerably by addressing central issues such as community design, transportation networks and use, and increasing development density. Planning can also play an important role in impacting public behavior, thus slowing the pace of GCC and allowing the development and implementation of adaptation measurements. The purpose of this article is to examine the important role of the planning profession in developing and successfully implementing mitigation and adaptation strategies. There is a growing sense that planning will receive increasing attention as an important policy instrument for addressing both the causes and impacts of climate change. This work also supports the argument that climate action plans can be a vital instrument in confronting the challenges of climate change and that planners need to be more involved in the development and implementation process of such plans.
An evaluation of low power wide area network technologies for the Internet of Things

We explore the state of the art in solutions for low power wide area (LPWA) networks and technologies serving the Internet of Things (IoT) and Connectivity for Everything markets. These networks are forecast to capture up to 55% market share using battery-powered devices operating up to 10 years and link distances measured in tens of kilometers. In this paper, we survey two LPWA technologies; ultra-narrow band solutions by SigFox and the LoRa technology by Semtech. Both technologies operate in the licence-exempt industrial, scientific, & medical (ISM) bands (EU 868 MHz / US 915 MHz). We survey both solutions in terms of physical layer (PHY) and associated medium access control (MAC) capabilities from an end-to-end system viewpoint. We then proceed to explore coverage ranges in eastern Ireland.We present results indicating a potential coverage area of 3,800 km2 and from a real-world experimental test case involving the use of SigFox's technology operating over a 25 km test link between a 25 mW LPWA client test and a basestation. Finally, we provide example results demonstrating a received SNR consistently exceeding 20 dB over this test link distance.
Brain MRI Pseudolesions: 3.0 T Imaging, FLAIR, and Diffusion-Weighted Imaging

Fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging is considered a vital sequence for routine brain evaluation by MR imaging. Again, FLAIR implements an inversion time, or time to inversion (TI), to null the signal from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), thereby enabling improved discrimination of structures immediately adjacent to CSF, such as the cerebral cortex, brainstem, periventricular white matter, or hippocampi. A number of artifacts can occur on FLAIR imaging and can simulate disease. Many of these require increasing awareness at higher field strengths or with the implementation of volumetric 3D acquisition.
Sex Life Satisfaction in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Descriptive and Exploratory Analysis

Nearly all of the sex life satisfaction literature has dealt with developed-country settings, and nothing has been published on sex life satisfaction in sub-Saharan Africa. Not only is sub-Saharan African a substantively relevant area in its own right, but it also provides a useful point of comparison for patterns and relations found in developed-world contexts. A brief descriptive and exploratory study of sex life satisfaction in sub-Saharan Africa was conducted using the World Gallup Poll, a dataset with representative sex life satisfaction data for 31 countries and 25,483 cases. In general, there was little variation in weighted averages across countries, and most of the samples surveyed were satisfied with their sex lives, with the modal score being a perfect 10. Furthermore, what variation did exist could not be attributed to level of economic development or gender inequality. Within countries, sociodemographic associations generally comported with patterns found in other contexts: income, education, and being partnered were generally associated with sex life satisfaction, and for two of the four UN subregions (West Africa and East Africa), males were significantly more satisfied with their sex lives than women. The relationship with age demonstrated a curvilinear relationship, with the peak age of sexual satisfaction in the late 20s to early 30s depending on the geographic region. The age pattern was not due to health differences, but combining estimators after a seemingly unrelated regression suggests that 4-12% of the effect of income on sex life satisfaction was attributable to better health. In general, religiosity and perceived gravity of the HIV/AIDS problem in one's country were not significantly related to sexual satisfaction.
Dramatic mixed response of lymphangitic pulmonary metastases in newly diagnosed prostate cancer

Prostate adenocarcinoma, the most common cancer in males in the United States, is often diagnosed in the nonmetastatic setting. The prognosis with metastatic prostate cancer is less favorable, though treatment options are typically effective in controlling the disease for an extended period. Hormonal therapy is the backbone to the management of prostate cancer metastases, decreasing the level of the prostate-specific antigen and reducing the patient's cancer-related symptoms. Pulmonary metastases, a relatively uncommon initial site of disease involvement, are expected to respond in a similar fashion to hormonal therapy as other organ or bone involvement. This report describes a patient with a newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer and a dramatic mixed response to hormonal therapy. This case should remind clinicians that pulmonary disease from prostate cancer may be an early metastatic finding, and can potentially progress even in the setting of an otherwise appropriate response to treatment.
Earthquakes on the surface: earthquake location and area based on more than 14 500 ShakeMaps

Abstract. Earthquake impact is an inherently interdisciplinary topic that receives attention from many disciplines. The natural hazard of strong ground motion is the reason why earthquakes are of interest to more than just seismologists. However, earthquake shaking data often receive too little attention by the general public and impact research in the social sciences. The vocabulary used to discuss earthquakes has mostly evolved within and for the discipline of seismology. Discussions on earthquakes outside of seismology thus often use suboptimal concepts that are not of primary concern. This study provides new theoretic concepts as well as novel quantitative data analysis based on shaking data. A dataset of relevant global earthquake ground shaking from 1960 to 2016 based on USGS ShakeMap data has been constructed and applied to the determination of past ground shaking worldwide. Two new definitions of earthquake location (the shaking center and the shaking centroid) based on ground motion parameters are introduced and compared to the epicenter. These definitions are intended to facilitate a translation of the concept of earthquake location from a seismology context to a geographic context. Furthermore, the first global quantitative analysis on the size of the area that is on average exposed to strong ground motion – measured by peak ground acceleration (PGA) – is provided.
Utilization of hot deformation to trigger strain induced boundary migration (SIBM) in Ni-base superalloys

Abstract The effect of strain on the resultant microstructure of an experimental low stacking fault energy Nickel based superalloy containing 24 wt. pct. Co was investigated. Billets subjected to a preliminary heat treatment at 1110 °C were compressed to strain limits of 0.15 and 0.5 at strain rates ranging from 0.1/s to 0.01/s and temperatures at 1020 °C and 1060 °C. The as-deformed microstructures were assessed and characterized using electron backscatter diffraction, as were microstructures corresponding to a super-solvus anneal heat treatment at 1160 °C for one hour. This study sought to identify a critical strain limit at which conditions indicative of Strain induced boundary migration (SIBM) could be effectively triggered for the experimental Ni-based superalloy over a set range of thermal-mechanical parameters. Microstructures corresponding to SIBM were then compared to more extensively deformed billets which contained notable fractions of dynamically recrystallized grains to quantify differences in the length fraction and density of ∑3 twin boundaries of the respective microstructures. Though billet samples deformed to both 0.15 and 0.5 contained notable magnitudes of stored strain energy, microstructures deformed to 0.15 were noted as having maintained larger length fractions of ∑3 twins due to a predominant absence of dynamic recrystallization. Annealed samples originally deformed to 0.15 yielded annealing twin length fractions as high as 59% when compared a sample deformed to the 0.5 strain limit under equivalent thermal-mechanical conditions that resulted in a twin length fraction of 50%. Although samples deformed to the lower strain limit exhibited higher length fractions of annealing twins, samples deformed to the higher strain limit of 0.5 were noted to yield ∑3 densities as high as 0.65 μ m − 1 , whereas the annealed sample deformed under equivalent thermal-mechanical parameters to the 0.15 strain limit produced ∑3 densities as low as 0.32 μ m − 1 .
Is frequency of family meals associated with fruit and vegetable intake among preschoolers? A logistic regression analysis

BACKGROUND The present study aimed to examine the associations between frequency of family meals and low fruit and vegetable intake in preschool children. Promoting healthy nutrition early in life is recommended for combating childhood obesity. Frequency of family meals is associated with fruit and vegetable intake in school-age children and adolescents; the relationship in young children is less clear. METHODS We completed a secondary analysis using data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort. Participants included children, born in the year 2001, to mothers who were >15 years old (n = 8 950). Data were extracted from structured parent interviews during the year prior to kindergarten. We used hierarchical logistic regression to describe the relationships between frequency of family meals and low fruit and vegetable intake. RESULTS Frequency of family meals was associated with low fruit and vegetable intake. The odds of low fruit and vegetable intake were greater for preschoolers who shared less than three evening family meals per week (odds ratio = 1.5, β = 0.376, P < 0.001) than preschoolers who shared the evening meal with family every night. CONCLUSIONS Fruit and vegetable intake is related to frequency of family meals in preschool-age children. Educating parents about the potential benefits of frequent shared meals may lead to a higher fruit and vegetable consumption among preschoolers. Future studies should address other factors that likely contribute to eating patterns during the preschool years.
Garnet Electrolyte with an Ultralow Interfacial Resistance for Li-Metal Batteries.

Garnet-structured Li7La3Zr2O12 is a promising solid Li-ion electrolyte for all-solid-state Li-metal batteries and Li-redox-flow batteries owing to its high Li-ion conductivity at room temperature and good electrochemical stability with Li metal. However, there are still three major challenges unsolved: (1) the controversial electrochemical window of garnet, (2) the impractically large resistance at a garnet/electrode interface and the fast lithium-dendrite growth along the grain boundaries of the garnet pellet, and (3) the fast degradation during storage. We have found that these challenges are closely related to a thick Li2CO3 layer and the Li–Al–O glass phase on the surface of garnet materials. Here we introduce a simple method to remove Li2CO3 and the protons in the garnet framework by reacting garnet with carbon at 700 °C; moreover, the amount of the Li–Al–O glass phase with a low Li-ion conductivity in the grain boundary on the garnet surface was also reduced. The surface of the carbon-treated garnet...
Implications of Measurement Standards for Characterizing and Minimizing Risk of Nanomaterials

Nanotechnology as a concept is usually credited to Feynman [1] who presented the idea in a 1959 after-dinner speech entitled, “There’s plenty of room at the bottom.” Interest in nanotechnology at the national level grew to the point that the United States Government launched the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) in 1999 [2]. From a programmatic standpoint, materials related disciplines were combined using the unifying principle that some feature of the material should fall within the nanoscale size range. Nanoscale is defined as the size from approximately 1–100 nm [3]. Also some well-known materials associated with nanotechnology, such as fullerene and single wall carbon nanotubes were discovered in only the last 25 years [4, 5]. Much of the supporting science is well established in fields such as electronics, polymers, powders, colloids, and aerosols. However, the nanotechnology field is currently expanding rapidly with the discovery of new techniques, insights, applications and materials. It is clear that unifying principles and appropriate standards need to be developed to allow a systematic approach to managing the applications and risks of nanotechnology. These challenges have been faced by ISO Technical Committee 229 “Nanotechnologies” in its program to develop documents consistent with the goals of international standardization. The purposes of international standardization are to facilitate international trade; improvement of quality, safety, security, environmental and consumer protection, as well as the rational use of natural resources; and global dissemination of technologies and good practices [6].
THE EXPRESSION OF α-FETOPROTEIN GENE IN NORMAL AND NEOPLASTIC RAT LIVER

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the expression of α-fetoprotein (AFP) gene in normal and neoplastic rat liver. AFP is a glycoprotein, which is synthesized mainly by the fetal liver and yolk sac. AFP is present only in trace amounts in the serum of adult rat and human, but increases dramatically in animals with chemically induced hepatocarcinoma and in human patients with primary liver tumors. AFP may provide a unique model for the understanding of the relationship between embryonic development and malignant transformation. In the present study, rat AFP mRNA was isolated from Morris hepatoma 7777 by means of indirect immunoprecipitation of AFP-synthesizing polysomes followed by oligo(dT)-cellulose affinity column chromatography for poly A-containing mRNA. Purified AFP mRNA migrated as a single band at 21S on SDS polyacrylamide gels. In a cell-free translation system, it yielded a peptide product immunoprecipitable by anti-rat AFP antiserum and co-migrating with serum AFP on SDS-urea polyacrylamide gels. The effect of hormones on AFP synthesis in developing rat liver was studied. The results indicated that exogenously administered pharmacological doses of glucocorticoids, ACTH, and thyroxin cause serum AFP levels to fall prematurely, with glucocorticoid being the most effective.
Massively Parallel Server Processors

Modern data centers enjoy massive degrees of request-level parallelism with significant cross-request similarity. Although similar requests follow similar instruction sequences, conventional processors service them individually and do not take full advantage of cross-request similarity. Single-Instruction Multiple-Thread (SIMT) architectures can leverage this similarity, however, existing SIMT processors—chief among them, GPUs—are ill-suited for server applications, as they are specifically designed to maximize throughput at the expense of latency, preventing them from meeting server QoS requirements. We advocate a new approach to SIMT server processors, namely Massively Parallel Server Processors (MPSPs), which we outline in this paper. To begin to understand their architectural needs, we measure the degree of control-flow and memory-access divergence encountered when running unmodified server applications on MPSP-style processors. Our preliminary results indicate that a software scheduler that bundles together similar requests can minimize control-flow divergence, making SIMT execution of unmodified server code feasible. Moreover, we find that memory-access divergence, although significant in raw numbers, can be tackled with changes in stack and heap layouts. Overall, our results encourage further consideration of MPSPs as a promising architecture for server processors.
The Pope's Peace and Security Council Resolution 1325

Pope John Paul II, the late head of the Holy See, which is the governing organ of Vatican City and the Roman Catholic Church, commenced an important conversation with women on January 1,1995. On that day, he delivered the annual World Day of Peace message, inviting women “to become teachers of peace with their whole being and in all their actions.” This statement, along with many others made by the Pope that year, was directed to women and was about women. With international attention focused on women, the 1995 papal statement gave an unprecedented depth of insight on the topic of women and peace. The purpose of this Article is to compare and contrast Pope John Paul II’s message on women and peace with Security Council Resolution 1325 and a 2002 study prepared by the Secretary-General, entitled Women, Peace and Security.
Abstract LB-273: Development of small molecule MYC inhibitors that impair tumor growth and enhance anti-PD1 immunotherapy

Small molecules MYC inhibitors that are efficacious and tolerated in vivo will provide invaluable chemical probes and potential therapeutic agents. We have used in silico screening coupled to a rapid in vivo screen in mice to develop a series of novel small molecule MYC inhibitors (MYCi) which engage MYC inside cells, disrupt MYC/MAX heterodimerization and inhibit MYC-regulated gene expression. The compounds enhanced MYC phosphorylation on threonine-58, leading to increased proteasome-mediated degradation of MYC. The initial lead, MYCi361, showed excellent in vivo anti-tumor efficacy in mice, inhibiting proliferation and inducing immunogenic cell death of tumor cells. MYCi361 treatment increased tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and induced tumor PD-L1 expression. Accordingly, treatment with MYCi361 sensitized tumors to anti-PD1 immunotherapy. MYCi361 however showed a narrow therapeutic index. We therefore undertook additional medicinal chemistry optimization, which yielded the related molecule, MYCi975, which combined in vivo efficacy with remarkable tolerability. These findings support the potential of small molecule MYC inhibitors as chemical probes and possible therapeutic leads. Citation Format: Huiying Han, Atul Jain, Vinay Sargar, Jonathan Anker, Rama Mishra, Gary Schiltz, Sarki A. Abdulkadir. Development of small molecule MYC inhibitors that impair tumor growth and enhance anti-PD1 immunotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-273.
Introducing randomization tests via an evaluation of peer-led team learning in undergraduate chemistry courses

The methodological limitations education researchers face in the evaluation of reformed instruction have led to debates as to the evidence advancing evidence-based practices. To conduct more effective research, methodological pluralism in the evaluation of educational reforms can be used to complement the strengths and limitations of a corpus of literature informing the impact of an evidence-based practice. This study seeks to introduce randomization tests, a nonparametric statistical analysis incorporating a random-assignment component that can be applied to a single-subject (N = 1) research design, as a methodology to be counted amongst evaluations of instructional reforms. To demonstrate the utility of this approach, an evaluation of peer-led team learning (PLTL) for classes of second-semester general chemistry spanning 7 semesters was conducted using randomization tests. The design contributes novel understandings of PLTL including differences in effectiveness across instructors, trends in effectiveness over time, and a perspective as to the appropriateness of assumptions concerning statistical independence when applied to educational settings. At the research setting, four instructors (each constituting an individual case) alternated implementing lecture-based instruction and PLTL by term. Across these four instructors, the treatment effects of peer-led team learning when compared to lecture-based instruction ranged in impact (from d = 0.233 to 2.09). For two instructors, PLTL provided a means by which to significantly reduce the differential performances observed of students with variable preparations in mathematics, thereby advancing the equitability of their courses. Implications of this work include the incorporation of single-subject research designs in establishing evidence-based instructional practices, the effectiveness of PLTL as interpreted in a methodologically pluralistic context of the research literature, and enacting measurements of equity when gauging the success of instructional reforms in science. Further, this introduction to randomization tests offers another methodology for the evaluation of instructional reforms more widely applicable in educational settings with smaller sample sizes (e.g., reforms conducted within a single classroom or upper-level courses with small class sizes).
Hearing Loss and Physical Functioning Among Adults with Heart Failure: Data from NHANES.

Background Hearing loss (HL) is associated with poor physical functioning among older adults, yet this association has not been examined in heart failure (HF), a disease in which both hearing loss and poor physical functioning are highly prevalent. We investigated whether this association exists in HF since HL represents a potentially modifiable risk factor for poor physical functioning. Methods We studied adults aged ≥70 years with self-reported HF in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). HL was assessed and categorized using pure-tone averages. Activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs (IADLs), leisure and social activities (LSA), lower extremity mobility (LEM), and general physical activity (GPA) were assessed. Negative binomial regression was used to examine the association between HL and physical functioning Results One hundred eighty-one participants comprised our population. Those with ≥ moderate HL had more difficulty with ADLs (37.0% vs 24.0%, p=0.02), IADLs (36.0% vs 23.0%, p=0.05), and LEM (37.3% vs 20.0%, p=0.009), compared to participants with none or mild HL. In multivariable models, ≥ moderate HL was significantly associated with difficulty in physical functioning across four of the five domains: ADLs: PR: 1.71 (95% CI: 1.07-2.72); IADLs: PR: 1.71 (1.24-2.34); LEM: PR: 1.51 (1.01-2.26); and GPA: PR: 1.19 (1.00-1.41). Conclusion Among older adults with HF, moderate or greater HL was associated with a higher prevalence of difficulty with ADLs, IADLs, and LEM, compared to mild or no HL.
Redefining User Needs

There is consensus in the field of medical device development that successful product development requires a deep understanding of the user and their needs. Despite the importance placed on identifying user needs, from practitioners and academics alike, there is little agreement on what constitutes a user need. This is problematic for medical device development teams, as they are responsible for defining user interface requirements and ensuring they meet the needs of intended users. The author proposes a framework for defining user needs for medical device development to improve consistency and to optimize the development of user interface requirements.
Relationship of Press Ganey Satisfaction and PROMIS Function and Pain in Foot and Ankle Patients

Background:Patient satisfaction has garnered interest as a tool to measure health care quality. However, orthopedic studies in total joint arthroplasty, spine, and hand patients have offered confli...
Supplementation of glycine, prebiotic, and nucleotides in soybean meal-based diets for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides): Effects on production performance, whole-body nutrient composition and retention, and intestinal histopathology

Abstract Aiming to optimize plant-based diets for largemouth bass (LMB; Micropterus salmoides), a 10-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate effects of supplemental glycine, prebiotic, and nucleotides in soybean meal (SBM)-based diets formulated to contain 50% SBM, 40% crude protein, and 12% lipid. Four test diets were formulated by supplementing glycine at 2% (GLY), GroBiotic®-A at 2% (GBA), a nucleotide mix at 0.15% (NTMX), or all three test ingredients combined (COMB) to the unsupplemented control diet (CTL). Supplementation replaced wheat flour and aspartate in CTL as needed. The sixth diet (FMR) comprised a SBM-free formulation containing 44% fish meal and served as an standard reference. Each experimental diet was randomly assigned to four groups of twenty feed-trained LMB (6.0 ± 0.1 g/fish) stocked in 24, 110-L glass aquaria operating as a recirculating aquaculture system. Statistical significance was considered at P ≤ 0.05. Upon conclusion of the feeding trial, survival of LMB averaged 98.8% and was unaffected by diet. Final weight ranged from 48.5 to 60.6 g and weight gain from 712 to 913% of initial weight. GLY supported faster growth of LMB than GBA, NTMX and COMB, and was the only SBM-based diet to support growth and feed efficiency similar to FMR. Concentrations of isoleucine, phenylalanine, proline, and valine in LMB were influenced by diet. Lower retention efficiency of protein was observed in COMB- compared to CTL-fed groups, whereas FMR outperformed all SBM-based diets. COMB lowered plasma alkaline phosphatase activity among treatments and, along with NTMX, increased plasma transaminase activity relative to CTL and FMR groups. Liver malondialdehyde increased from CTL to GLY and was higher in all groups fed the SBM-based diets compared to FMR. Highest liver superoxide dismutase activity was observed in fish fed GLY, while glutathione peroxidase activity was unaffected by diet. Histopathological analyses of LMB intestine revealed signs of mild enteritis in all fish. Height of folds in both anterior and posterior intestinal segments increased from CTL to GBA and FMR-fed fish, while the height of enterocytes was unaffected by diet. Based on our results, i) supplemental glycine may improve growth performance of LMB when dietary FM is almost completely replaced and dietary glycine level is reduced by SBM; ii) similar responses of LMB gastrointestinal tract to SBM- and FM-based diets indicate tolerance to the former; iii) additional investigations on the role of supplemental nutrients/additives in optimizing plant-based diets for LMB are recommended.
Delayed Yet Successful Mechanical Thrombectomy for Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens in a Limb with Severe Arterial Disease and May-Thurner Syndrome

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) is a rare but life-threatening complication of acute deep venous thrombosis that lacks consensus regarding the approach to management. We present a case of PCD developing shortly after a spinal surgery and manifesting as acute swelling and discoloration in a leg with existing severe atherosclerotic arterial disease. The patient’s critical limb ischemia was completely and rapidly reversed by percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy using the ClotTriever device despite a delay in treatment. An underlying iliac vein compression “May-Thurner” syndrome was discovered using intravascular ultrasound and treated with angioplasty. This case identifies mechanical thrombectomy using the ClotTriever system as a possible effective and safe treatment for PCD.
Simulation of a generalized asset exchange model with economic growth and wealth distribution.

The agent-based yard-sale model of wealth inequality is generalized to incorporate exponential economic growth and its distribution. The distribution of economic growth is nonuniform and is determined by the wealth of each agent and a parameter $\ensuremath{\lambda}$. Our numerical results indicate that the model has a critical point at $\ensuremath{\lambda}=1$ between a phase for $\ensuremath{\lambda}l1$ with economic mobility and exponentially growing wealth of all agents and a nonstationary phase for $\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\ge}1$ with wealth condensation and no mobility. We define the energy of the system and show that the system can be considered to be in thermodynamic equilibrium for $\ensuremath{\lambda}l1$. Our estimates of various critical exponents are consistent with a mean-field theory [see W. Klein et al., following paper, Phys. Rev. E 104, 014151 (2021)]. The exponents do not obey the usual scaling laws unless a combination of parameters that we refer to as the Ginzburg parameter is held fixed as the phase transition is approached. The model illustrates that both poorer and richer agents benefit from economic growth if its distribution does not favor the richer agents too strongly. This work and the following theoretical paper contribute to our understanding of whether the methods of equilibrium statistical mechanics can be applied to economic systems.
Demo: EdgeVPN.io: Open-source Virtual Private Network for Seamless Edge Computing with Kubernetes

Edge and fog computing encompass a variety of technologies that are poised to enable new applications across the Internet that support data capture, storage, processing, and communication across the networking continuum. These environments pose new challenges to the design and implementation of networks-as membership can be dynamic and devices are heterogeneous, widely distributed geographically, and in proximity to end-users, as is the case with mobile and Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices. We present a demonstration of EdgeVPN.io (Evio for short), an open-source programmable, software-defined network that addresses challenges in the deployment of virtual networks spanning distributed edge and cloud resources, in particular highlighting its use in support of the Kubernetes container orchestration middleware. The demo highlights a deployment of unmodified Kubernetes middleware across a virtual cluster comprising virtual machines deployed both in cloud providers, and in distinct networks at the edge-where all nodes are assigned private IP addresses and subject to different NAT (Network Address Translation) middleboxes, connected through an Evio virtual network. The demo includes an overview of the configuration of Kubernetes and Evio nodes and the deployment of Docker-based container pods, highlighting the seamless connectivity for TCP/IP applications deployed on the pods.
The Chalkboard: The Glass pH Electrode

We are pleased to introduce a new magazine column, The Chalkboard, that aims to take the reader back to the classroom. This series of tutorials will be written by experts for a non-specialist audience.
Free Riding in Loan Approvals: Evidence from SME Lending in Peru

We provide evidence that commercial lenders in Peru free ride off their peer’s screening efforts. Leveraging a discontinuity in the loan approval process of a large bank, we find competing lenders responded to additional loan approvals by issuing approvals of their own. Competing lenders captured almost three quarters of the new loans to previously financially excluded borrowers. Importantly, many of these borrowers never took a loan from our partner bank, even after our partner bank approved them. Lenders may therefore underinvest in screening new borrowers and expanding financial inclusion, as their competitors reap some of the benefit. Our results highlight that information spillovers between lenders may operate outside of credit registries.
School-Based Sandtray Counseling on a Shoe String

The purpose of this article is to provide research evidence and a rationale for use of sandtray counseling in schools, as well as serve as a practical “how to” guide on conducting sandtray sessions inexpensively in a school setting, using case examples to illustrate Especially now, in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic and increased awareness of racial inequity, students (and teachers) will need interventions appropriate for trauma and grief For school-based counselors, sandtray counseling is a developmentally appropriate intervention, particularly for preadolescents, who are old enough to feel uncomfortable with playroom toys and yet are not developmentally ready to use a primarily verbal intervention Sandtray counseling can provide a culturally sensitive, safe, and soothing bridge between experience and expression, to facilitate integration and healing With proper training, sandtray counseling can be a valuable addition to any practitioners’ toolbox and is effectively conducted by practitioners working from various theoretical orientations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Creativity in Mental Health is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use This abstract may be abridged No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract (Copyright applies to all Abstracts )
Electroosmotic Flow in Skin

A Summary to The Electrochemical Society for the 1998 Edward G. Weston Summer Research Fellowship.
B → π ν ν ¯ , ρ ν ν ¯ and determination of | V td V ub |

The rare decays $B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\nu}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}$ and $B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\nu}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}$ are investigated. The ratio of branching fractions $\frac{B(B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}M\ensuremath{\nu}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}})}{B(B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{Ml}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}})}$ is shown to depend on the ratio $|\frac{{V}_{\mathrm{td}}}{{V}_{\mathrm{ub}}}|$ of Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix elements with little hadronic uncertainty. The measurement of these fractions thus gives a robust constraint on the Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix. The branching fractions for $B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\nu}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}, \ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\nu}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}$ are estimated to range from $10\ensuremath{-}8$ to ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$; an experimental method is presented which yields a single-event sensitivity below ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$.
High Performance Off-Board DC Fast Charger

With a recent outburst in demand for the electric vehicles (EVs), achieving high performance is of paramount importance. This digest presents a comprehensive design review of some of the components that are critical for achieving performance metrices with an aim to design and finally develop a level-3 off board charger for DC fast charging of EVs. Finally, an experimental prototype of the 60-kW ac/dc power converter is built and tested. Functional and operational characterization results are provided alongwith the parametric plots.
Reconstructing Iraq's Budgetary Institutions: Coalition State Building after Saddam

1. State building and the reconstruction of Iraq's budgetary institutions 2. The evolution of Iraqi budgetary institutions from the Ottomans and the British mandate through Saddam 3. Pre-war planning for Iraq's economic and budgetary reconstruction 4. Boots on the ground: the CPA and the new Iraqi budgetary process 5. Building Iraqi ministerial capacity: the case of FMIS 6. The 17th benchmark and the challenge of Iraqi budget execution 7. Building Iraqi budgetary capacity 8. Iraqi budgeting 9. Successful state building in Iraq? Lessons from the reconstruction of Iraq's budgetary institutions.