cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A review of the Texas, USA San Jacinto Superfund site and the deposition of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in the San Jacinto River and Houston Ship Channel

The San Jacinto River (SJR) waste pits that lie just under the 1-10 overpass in eastern Harris County east of Houston, Texas, USA, were created in the 1960s as dumping grounds for paper mill waste. The deposition of this waste led to accumulation of highly toxic polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCCDDs/PCDFs) over the course of several decades. After abandonment, the waste material eventually became submerged under the waters of the SJR, resulting in widespread environmental contamination that currently constitutes a significant health concern for eastern Harris County communities. The original waste pits were rediscovered in 2005, and the San Jacinto waste site is now a designated EPA superfund site. The objective of this review then is to discuss the history and current state of containment around the San Jacinto waste pits and analyze spatial and temporal trends in the PCDD/PCDF deposition through the SJR system from the data available. We will discuss the current exposure and health risks represented by the Superfund site and the SJR system itself, as well as the discovery of liver, kidney, brain (glioma), and retinoblastoma cancer clusters in eastern Harris County across multiple census tracts that border the Superfund site. We will also cover the two primary management options, containment versus removal of the waste from the Superfund and provide recommendations for increased monitoring of existing concentrations of polychlorinated waste in the SJR and its nearby associated communities.
Drug-DNA Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Abstract INTRODUCTION Novel therapies are needed for acute myeloid leukemia as only ~60% of children are cured despite maximally intensive cytotoxic chemotherapy. Functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNP) are utilized for many biomedical applications and represent a potentially novel therapeutic approach in leukemia. We enhanced this technology by developing an AuNP system that selectively releases molecularly targeted drugs in leukemia cells. METHODS AuNPs were functionalized with short, double-stranded oligonucleotides with sequence complementarity to genes overexpressed in or unique to a leukemia cell (e.g. survivin or AML/ETO). Only the anti-sense oligonucleotide is covalently bound to the nanoparticle via a thiol linker. Thus, after entering leukemia cells, the endogenous targeted oncogene mRNA can bind to its complementary sequence on the AuNP and displace the non-covalently bound oligonucleotide which, in our system, is conjugated to the multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib. As a binary reaction, the amount of dasatinib-conjugated oligonucleotide released from the nanoparticle is directly proportional to both the presence and abundance of the complementary mRNA present in a cell. We evaluated AuNP uptake into multiple AML cell lines, as well as normal hematopoietic cells. The effect of dasatinib-AuNPs on dasatinib-sensitive leukemia cell lines was evaluated using proliferation assays, annexin V staining, and cell colony assays. Toxicity in T-cells and CD34+ cells was assessed with T-cell activation and p-SRC assays, respectively. RESULTS Conjugation of dasatinib to an oligonucleotide complementary to a region of the survivin gene did not perturb its ability to inhibit SRC and c-KIT kinases in vitro. Leukemia cells demonstrate highly efficient AuNP uptake when cultured alone or with up to a 100-1000 fold excess of normal bone marrow cells. Treatment of K562 leukemia cells, containing a BCR/ABL translocation and high levels of survivin mRNA, with dasatinib-AuNPs resulted in dose-dependent p-SRC and p-CRKL inhibition. Furthermore, K562 cells also showed significantly impaired proliferation, increased apoptosis, and formed fewer colonies in methylcellulose. Conversely, normal T-cells and CD34+ cells, which express less survivin than leukemia cells, were significantly less affected by dasatinib-AuNPs than dasatinib alone as measured by T-cell activation assays and p-SRC levels, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This method of using functionalized AuNPs to deliver and activate dasatinib in leukemia cells augments drug efficacy while minimizing toxicity and thus represents a novel therapeutic strategy for AML. Ongoing work is underway to characterize the mechanism of preferential AuNP uptake in leukemia cells and assessing in vivo activity using a murine xenotransplantation model of leukemia. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Effect of Pasteurization Tempertaure on Susceptibility of Milk to Light-Induced Flavor

Milk pasteurized at 73, 80 and 90°C for 16.2 s and homogenized than exposed to 50-foot-candle intensity of fluorescent light in clear glass bottles was compared for flavor and concentrations of acetaldehyde, propanal, n-pentanal and n-hexanal with similarly treated milk in foil-covered glass bottles. Flavor (hedonic scaling by five judges) was influenced by pasteurization temperatures, storage time and exposure to light. Milk pasteurized at 73°C and held in foil-covered bottles through 10 d at 2°C had the most acceptable flavor. However, when milk was pasteurized at this temperature but exposed to light, it had the least desirable flavor during 10 d. At 14 d, flavor score of the 73°C, unexposed milk declined, and that of the irradiated milk increased so that both were almost identical. At pasteurization temperatures of 80 and 90°C, the adverse effect of irradiation was either reduced or eliminated and the incidence of oxidized flavor lessened. Poorer flavor at these pasteurization temperatures from unexposed milks reflected greater intensities of cooked flavor. Concentrations of acetaldehyde, propanal, n-pentanal and n-hexanal increased much more in the light-treated samples than those kept in the dark. However, high-heat treatment (90°C) lessened those increases in propanal and n-hexanal but enhanced increases in acetaldehyde and n-pentanal.
Retinal Interventional Management of Blind Painful and Non-painful Eyes at Risk for Neovascular Glaucoma: Four Cases and Literature Review

Purpose: To review standard management of blind painful and non-painful eyes at risk for neovascular glaucoma, and report the management strategies of four cases. Method : Series of cases and literature review. Patients : The first two cases described are blind, painful eyes secondary to neovascular glaucoma, treated with intracameral bevacizumab injections. The third case, a blind, painful eye with uncontrolled glaucoma in a patient unsatisfied with her eye appearance due to white retained lens material at pupillary margin and a large prominent bleb, was treated with a combination of bleb revision, vitrectomy, lensectomy and endocyclophotocoagulation. The fourth case, a blind, non-painful eye with secondary radiation retinopathy at risk for neovascular glaucoma was treated with laser photocoagulation to prevent neovascular glaucoma and pain. Results : The first two cases of blind, painful eyes with neovascular glaucoma had reduction in neovascularization and pain after intracameral bevacizumab injections and/or laser therapy. The third case had resolution of pain and transient decrease in intraocular pressure after a combined surgery. The blind, non-painful eye in case 4 with a history of radiation retinopathy had stable intraocular pressure and no progression to neovascular glaucoma or pain. None of the four cases progressed to enucleation or evisceration. Discussion/Conclusion : Retinal interventional management should be considered in blind painful and non-painful eyes to help control symptoms, treat or prevent progression to neovascular glaucoma and prevention of enucleation or evisceration.
Public perceptions of arguments supporting and opposing recreational marijuana legalization

In debates about recreational marijuana legalization, pro-legalization arguments highlighting economic and other potential policy benefits compete with anti-legalization arguments emphasizing public health risks. In 2016, we conducted a national survey using an online panel (N=979) designed to answer two main research questions: (1) How do Americans perceive the relative strength of competing arguments about recreational marijuana legalization? (2) How are perceptions of argument strength associated with public support for recreational marijuana legalization? We examined differences in attitudes among individuals living in states that have/have not legalized recreational marijuana and among Democrats/Independents/Republicans. Ordered logit regression assessed the relationship between perceived argument strength and public support for recreational marijuana legalization. Respondents rated pro-legalization arguments highlighting beneficial economic and criminal justice consequences as more persuasive than anti-legalization arguments emphasizing adverse public health effects. Respondents were more likely to agree with arguments highlighting legalization's potential to increase tax revenue (63.9%) and reduce prison overcrowding (62.8%) than arguments emphasizing negative consequences on motor vehicle crashes (51.8%) and youth health (49.6%). The highest rated anti-legalization arguments highlighted the conflict between state and federal marijuana laws (63.0%) and asserted that legalization will fail to eliminate the black market (57.2%). Respondents who endorsed pro-legalization economic and criminal justice arguments were more likely than other respondents to support legalization. Our findings indicate that, on both side of the recreational marijuana legalization debate, there are arguments that resonate with the American public. However, public health risk messages were viewed as less compelling than pro-legalization economic and criminal justice-oriented arguments.
Anhedonia: Its Dynamic Relations With Craving, Negative Affect, and Treatment During a Quit Smoking Attempt

Introduction Research shows that abstinence from tobacco leads to a withdrawal-related decrement in responsivity to nondrug rewards (ie, anhedonia). However, it remains unclear how anhedonia relates to other key withdrawal symptoms and withdrawal-related constructs over time. We analyzed ecological momentary assessment data to examine whether a decrement in response to rewards during a 10-day period following quitting shows a pattern of associations with other variables (ie, treatment, tobacco dependence, negative affect, and craving) that is consistent with anhedonia being a tobacco withdrawal symptom. Methods As part of a randomized controlled trial of smoking cessation therapies, 1122 adults (58% female) were assigned to: placebo (n = 131), bupropion (alone or with nicotine lozenge; n = 401), or nicotine replacement therapy (NRT; lozenge, patch, both; n = 590). Participants completed 4 ecological momentary assessments per day for 10 days postquit, resulting in 22 575 assessments. Results Time-varying effect modeling showed that anhedonia was significantly greater among those high in dependence relative to lower dependent smokers out to day 9 postquit. The placebo group showed elevated anhedonia immediately postquit, which fell to levels similar to the treatment groups by day 7. NRT effectively reduced anhedonia and its time-varying association with craving early in the quit attempt. The positive association between negative affect and anhedonia was moderate and stable over time for both active treatment groups. Conclusions These results provide additional support that anhedonia following quitting smoking is a manifestation of the tobacco withdrawal syndrome. Implications This study supported the hypothesis that diminished responsivity to nondrug rewards (ie, anhedonia) is a symptom of the tobacco withdrawal syndrome. Results showed that anhedonia: (1) was significantly associated with dependence, especially during the early postquit period when withdrawal was at its peak intensity; (2) showed significant time-varying associations with other withdrawal symptoms, especially craving; and (3) was significantly suppressed by agonist administration as was its association with craving over time.
Reduced Efficacy of the Pipeline Embolization Device in the Treatment of Posterior Communicating Region Aneurysms with Fetal Posterior Cerebral Artery Configuration.

Background Aneurysms at the origin of the posterior communicating artery (PcommA) have been demonstrated to be effectively treated with the pipeline embolization device (PED). Much less is known about the efficacy of the PED for aneurysms associated with a fetal posterior cerebral artery (fPCA) variant. Objective To study PED treatment efficacy of PcommA aneurysms, including fPCA aneurysms. Methods A prospectively maintained university database of aneurysm patients treated with the PED was retrospectively reviewed. Demographics, treatment details, and imaging were reviewed for all PcommA and fPCA aneurysms. Results Out of a total of 285 patients treated with PED, 50 patients (mean age 57.5 ± 12.2 yr, 42 females) with unruptured PcommA (9 fPCA) aneurysms were identified. Mean follow-up duration was 14.0 ± 11.6 mo (48 patients). Roy-Raymond class I occlusion on follow-up magnetic resonance or catheter angiography (mean time 11.7 ± 6.8 mo) was achieved in 30 patients (62.5%), class II occlusion in 11 patients (22.9%) and class III occlusion in 7 patients (14.5%). The PcommA was occluded in 56% of patients without any clinical symptoms. No deaths or permanent neurological complications occurred. In fPCA aneurysms, class I occlusion was seen in 1 patient, class 2 occlusion in 2 patients, and class III occlusion in 6 patients. Multivariate analysis revealed an independent association between incomplete occlusion and fPCA configuration (OR 73.65; 95% CI: 5.84-929.13; P = .001). Conclusion The PED is a safe and effective treatment for PcommA aneurysms, although fetal anatomy should increase consideration of traditional endovascular techniques or surgical clipping.
Glomerular disease: Targeted steroid therapy for IgA nephropathy.

Encouraging preliminary data from the NEFIGAN trial suggest that a novel oral formulation of budesonide might reduce disease progression in IgA nephropathy. This formulation releases corticosteroid in the distal small intestine and colon, so is thought to directly target the mucosal element of the pathogenesis of the disease.
Auto Accessories, Inc.: An Educational Case on Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) and Controls as Compared to Batch Processing and Controls

ABSTRACT: The intent of this educational case is to increase students' understanding of online transaction processing (OLTP) and controls as compared to batch processing and controls. Learning concepts about batch processing is important because many entities continue to use batch processing for critical applications such as payroll, credit card processing, and Big Data. Students learn the advantages and disadvantages of batch processing and OLTP. The case provides a Microsoft Access database that includes a working batch program (module) and an online screen (form). Students use the form to update an employee table in a relational database with OLTP and use the module to update an employee master file with batch processing. Students compare the output from batch processing to the output from OLTP after processing the same input transactions and demonstrate that the outputs match when no input or processing errors exist. Students implement similar data validation edits in both the module and the form. Als...
Estimating the yield strength of metal films in ILD stacks using optimization-based inverse finite element analysis

The fabrication process-induced variation in the yield strength of metal films in microelectronic devices critically impacts the reliability of inter-layer dielectric (ILD) stacks. However, estimation of the yield strength of buried films in multilayer stacks remains a significant challenge. The indentation technique, whose advantage is that it does not require a freestanding film, has been widely used to characterize thin films, but traditional analyses mostly focus on characterizing the top layer of the stack. In this paper, we propose an optimization-based inverse finite element analysis (IFEA) technique to estimate the yield strength of a buried metal film in the ILD stack. The technique is demonstrated by estimating the yield strength of the buried aluminum film in a TEOS-Al-Si 3 N 4 -Si stack. We carryout the optimization from multiple initial points in the parameter space to ensure the uniqueness of the estimated yield strength.
Characterizing Complex Human Behaviors and Neural Responses Using Dynamic Models

Human neuroscience is becoming more common as noninvasive imaging modalities are being developed and used by researchers. A challenge that comes with humans as they execute structured tasks is that their behaviors often are shaped not only by external stimuli presented by the experimentalist but also by internal states that are not easily measurable. This presents a problem if one is trying to identify neural correlates of specific stimuli as brain activity is also modulated by these dynamic internal states. An example of this is when humans perform gambling tasks. Their betting strategies may fluctuate based on how “lucky” they feel, which is not directly measurable but clearly shapes behavior and neural activity. In this chapter, we propose a systematic framework for (1) characterizing variability within and across individual behavior performing a task by estimating internal latent states that affect behavior, and (2) identifying neural correlates of stimuli, responses, and states. The framework consists of first constructing state-space models from behavioral data using maximum likelihood methods, and then identifying neural correlates of external stimuli, behavioral responses, and internal states using nonparametric statistical tests and point process models. The framework is general in that all types of behavioral data are possible to model (e.g., binary, categorical, continuous) and all types of neural activity are possible to analyze (spike trains, local field potentials, electroencephalogram, functional magnetic resonance imaging, etc.). The methods for modeling and statistical tests presented in this chapter are not new. Rather, we propose a systematic approach to analyzing complex data sets generated by neuroscience experiments with human subjects, highlight challenges that may arise, and propose solutions to address these challenges.
Best Practice for Developmental Stuttering: Balancing Evidence and Expertise.

Purpose Best practice for developmental stuttering remains a topic of debate. In the clinical forum following this introduction, four fluency experts balance the evidence and expertise to describe ...
Service fabric: a distributed platform for building microservices in the cloud

We describe Service Fabric (SF), Microsoft's distributed platform for building, running, and maintaining microservice applications in the cloud. SF has been running in production for 10+ years, powering many critical services at Microsoft. This paper outlines key design philosophies in SF. We then adopt a bottom-up approach to describe low-level components in its architecture, focusing on modular use and support for strong semantics like fault-tolerance and consistency within each component of SF. We discuss lessons learned, and present experimental results from production data.
Description and Analysis of Manuscripts

There are at least five extant copies representing the manuscript tradition of the early Arabic version. The following description and analysis is based on the available copies [five of the six reported ones], to be supplemented with a reproduction of opening and closing pages [see Manuscript Plates, pp. 232–241].
Carbonic anhydrase activity in ependymoglial cells of lower vertebrates.

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity in ependymal cells was investigated in brains of rats, mice, lizards, frogs, tadpoles, and teleost fish using Hansson's modification of Waldeyer and Hausler's histochemical method. No activity was observed in neurons. CA activity was present in perineural and perivascular glial cells of rodents and lizards, but activity was usually not demonstrable in ependymal cells. In amphibians and fish however, ependymal cells and their sub-ependymal prolongations displayed high levels of CA activity. Acetazolamide, 2×10−5M, blocked all histochemically demonstrable enzyme activity, as did distilled water at 100° C. Carbonic anhydrase in astroglia may be involved in regulation of electrolyte transfer between blood and brain. The observations reported here are consonant with hypotheses suggesting that in lower vertebrates with thin walled brains, ependymal cells may serve functions normally restricted to perineural and perivascular parenchymal glia in higher animals.
USE OF AFFINITY CHROMATOGRAPHY FOR PURIFICATION OF LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE AND FOR ASSESSING THE HOMOLOGY AND FUNCTION OF THE A AND B SUBUNITS

ABSTRACT. A recently reported system of affinity chromatography has been exploited to purify lactate dehydrogenase isozymes from animals of four classes of vertebrates. Purification is achieved within three to four hours and recovery of enzyme approximates 80%. The procedure is based upon binding LDH to the chromophore of blue dextran and subsequently eluting the different isozymes with the oxidized or reduced coenzyme. The pattern of binding and elution of the LDH isozymes from the blue dextran clearly reveals evolutionary homologies among the different subunits. These data on homologies are more direct and reliable than those obtained from immunological or kinetic studies. The B 4 isozyme from all species studied either failed to bind to the blue dextran column or was readily eluted with NAD or AMP. By contrast, the A 4 isozyme from all species was eluted only with NADH. The elution of the heteropolymers composed of both A and B subunits was quantitative. A 1 B 3 and A 2 B 2 were eluted with increasing amounts of NAD or L-lactate. A 3 B 1 was eluted only with NADH. The C 4 isozymes from mammals and fishes behave like the heteropolymers of A and B subunits, but are somewhat more similar to the B 4 than to the A 4 isozyme.
Stability and microbial toxicity of HfO2 and ZrO2 nanoparticles for photolithography

Hafnium dioxide (HfO2) and zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) nanoparticles (NPs) have gained attention as components of photoresists for next-generation photolithography. Coating of these NPs with organic l...
Modeling of UV Penetration Through the Atmosphere and Ocean

The ozone layer provides an effective shield against harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Most of the ozone in the atmosphere is located in the stratosphere between 20 and 30 km above the Earth’s surface. In addition to ozone, aerosols and clouds alter the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching the biosphere. In this paper we discuss how to compute the ultraviolet radiation at the ground and at various levels in the ocean. This will allow us to assess how changes in ozone abundance, aerosol loading and cloud cover will influence UV exposure. As will be discussed the modeling of UV penetration through the atmosphere is at a relatively mature stage compared to the modeling of UV penetration through the combined atmosphere/ocean system.
DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP SOLUTION TO RURAL POVERTY: THEORY, PRACTICE AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Focused on rural poor, this paper seeks answers to three questions. In the age of digital entrepreneurship and IT globalization, what are structure barriers, exclusionary mechanisms and immutable c...
Darboux transformations for the massless Dirac equation with matrix potential: Radially symmetric zero-energy states

We present Darboux transformations for the construction of zero-energy solutions to the massless Dirac equation with a radially symmetric, diagonal matrix potential.
A Post-Positivist Answering Back.: Part 2: A Demo in R of the Importance of Enabling Replication in PLS and LISREL

In Part 1 the argument was made for the core Positivist principle of enabling falsification, specifically that data, or at least correlation or covariance matrices, should be made public so that others can attempt to falsify at least the statistical analyses. Doing so could provide a semblance of the direction of what might constitute the desired Positivist aspects of intellectual integrity in science: making your claims and putting your data in the public domain so others may put its propositions to the test and try to falsify or improve on them. Part 2 demonstrates the importance of such disclosure. The demo begins with replicating the model in Structural Equation Modeling and Regression: Guidelines for Research Practice (Gefen et al., 2000) in PLS and CBSEM R packages, producing equivalent results as the original paper. Showing the point about the need to have the data in the public domain, a set of incorrectly specified models on the same data are then run. Both PLS and CBSEM converge and produce plausibly believable results if the data were not available to test alternative models, opening the possibility of pulling the wool over readers' eyes if such a correlation or covariance matrix is not provided.
Functional PVA/VB2/TiO2 Nanofiber Webs for Controlled Drug Delivery

Drug (vitamin B2, riboflavin, VB2)/nanoparticle (TiO2, coated on drug surface) loaded poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofiber webs were successfully produced by the electrospinning process. The charact...
Chapter 10 – Worked Problems

Publisher Summary This chapter provides the exercises that have been used with honors students and that seem to be both interesting and challenging. In many cases, only the rudimentary coded solution is given. From this, one can build much more sophisticated code and in many cases create Module functions that can be used repeatedly with different parameter values. All of these separate problems were run as if the Kernel had to be restarted with each computation. Running sequentially without adding statements to clear variables will result in absurd output. As the colony grows, the substrate is consumed to supply the microbes with their building blocks. Some fraction of the substrate is necessarily diverted into the formation of biomass, that is, cells—their membranes and organelles—but some other fraction is used to produce the target molecule. In a batch process, when the substrate has been consumed, the microbial colony either dies rapidly, or if the process is to be stopped prior to complete substrate consumption, it is killed by a rapid change in conditions. From this point, the problem of recovering the target molecule is the one of separating it from the biomass and aqueous medium.
Novel Approaches and Challenges of Discovery of Exosite Modulators of a Disintegrin and Metalloprotease 10

A disintegrin and metaproteinase 10 is an important target for multiple therapeutic areas, however, despite drug discovery efforts by both industry and academia no compounds have reached the clinic so far. The lack of enzyme and substrate selectivity of developmental drugs is believed to be a main obstacle to the success. In this review, we will focus on novel approaches and associated challenges in discovery of ADAM10 selective modulators that can overcome shortcomings of previous generations of compounds and be translated into the clinic.
Tube-like structures within the ovarian follicle of Hydrolagus colliei indicate the early origins of follicle cell processes

Follicle cell processes (FCP) are actin-based, tube-like structures that connect the developing oocyte to the follicle cells throughout oogenesis. They were first described in Selachians (sharks) where their suggested roles were facilitating the transport of metabolites to the developing oocyte and providing structural support to the large egg cells of sharks, an early stage in the evolution of viviparity. Subsequent studies found that FCP are absent in Rajiformes (skates), suggesting that FCP may have been novel structures specific to the sharks. Here, FCP in Hydrolagus colliei, a Chimaeriform, were described. The FCP of H. colliei differ morphologically from those previously described in sharks, but as they also contain actin, they presumably play similar roles provisioning the developing oocyte and providing structural support. The presence of FCP in the order Chimaeriformes suggests that their origin predates the split of the elasmobranchs and the holocephalans.
Automated Analysis of Middle School Students’ Written Reflections During Game-Based Learning

Game-based learning environments enable students to engage in authentic, inquiry-based learning. Reflective thinking serves a critical role in inquiry-based learning by encouraging students to think critically about their knowledge and experiences in order to foster deeper learning processes. Free-response reflection prompts can be embedded in game-based learning environments to encourage students to engage in reflection and externalize their reflection processes, but automatically assessing student reflection presents significant challenges. In this paper, we present a framework for automatically assessing students’ written reflection responses during inquiry-based learning in Crystal Island, a game-based learning environment for middle school microbiology. Using data from a classroom study involving 153 middle school students, we compare the effectiveness of several computational representations of students’ natural language responses to reflection prompts—GloVe, ELMo, tf-idf, unigrams—across several machine learning-based regression techniques (i.e., random forest, support vector machine, multi-layer perceptron) to assess the depth of student reflection responses. Results demonstrate that assessment models based on ELMo deep contextualized word representations yield more accurate predictions of students’ written reflection depth than competing techniques. These findings point toward the potential of leveraging automated assessment of student reflection to inform real-time adaptive support for inquiry-based learning in game-based learning environments.
Sex and Racial Disparities in the Treatment and Outcomes of Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer

Objective To identify racial and sex disparities in the treatment and outcomes of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) using a nationwide oncology outcomes database. Methods Using the National Cancer Database, we identified patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer from 2004 to 2014. Treatments analyzed included no treatment, cystectomy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus cystectomy (“optimal treatment”), cystectomy plus adjuvant chemotherapy, and chemoradiation. Propensity matching compared mortality outcomes between sexes. Logistic models evaluated predictors of receiving optimal treatment, as well as mortality. Results Forty seven thousand two hundred and twenty nine patients were identified. Most patients were male (73.4%) and underwent cystectomy alone (69.0%). Propensity score matching demonstrated increased 90-day mortality in women vs men (13.0% vs 11.6%, P = .009), despite adjusting for differences in treatments between sexes. Logistic regression models showed no difference in receipt of optimal treatment between sexes (odds ratio [OR] 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83-1.22) although black patients were less likely to receive optimal treatment (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.05-0.48). Logistic regression models confirmed increased 90-day mortality in female (OR 1.17, CI 1.08-1.27, P Conclusion While there do not appear to be significant treatment disparities between sexes, women experience higher 90-day mortality and lower overall survival. Black patients are less likely to receive optimal treatment and have a higher risk of 90-day mortality. Additional research is needed to determine the variables leading to worse outcomes in females and identify impediments to black patients receiving optimal treatment.
Prospective Cohort Study of Minority Inpatients With a Primary Discharge Diagnosis of COPD Exacerbation

Background: COPD exacerbations contribute to increased morbidity and mortality, and adversely affect patient quality-of-life. These events are also costly, and CMS is now penalizing hospitals for 30-d readmits related to COPD. Economic status will be included in the ratio calculation beginning FY 2019, which may help some hospitals avoid financial penalties. However, these adjustments may still be insufficient, so analyses of patient characteristics that may contribute to the incidence of COPD exacerbations and readmissions in specific populations is needed. Methods: Data were prospectively collected on a sample of patients admitted with a diagnosis of COPD exacerbations (N=107) (IRB 2570). Extensive interviews were conducted to include demographics, PMH, inhaled meds, insurance, and potential barriers to outpatient (OP) management. A DC-pharmacy data repository and CRISP were accessed to determine prescription refill behavior and readmission to any hospital, respectively. Using finance data, the subgroup with a J44.1 primary discharge code, COPD with exacerbation (n=49), was determined. Characteristics were summarized using descriptive statistics. Following univariate logistic regression, variables with a P Results: The average age of subjects coded J44.1 was 65.8 ± 9 y, 75% were female with 96% black; 47% had Medicare primary and 46% were dual eligible. Charleson comorbidity (CCM) averaged 5.2 ± 2.2, 43% reported currently smoking, 57% were on home O2 and 57% had a psychiatric illness. Only 35% had an OP pulmonologist. The most common educational issues were health literacy and illness acuity. Subject-reported management barriers included lack of inhaler education (65%), no spacer (65%), lack of home support (50%) or transportation (50%), med costs (39%), and forgetting meds (28%). Pharmacy data indicated only 35% of subjects had a current refill of any long-acting inhaled med (LAIM) prior to admission, while 48% obtained a LAIM in the 10 d post discharge. 31% of subjects were readmitted, with the majority dual eligible. Univariate analysis showed only dual eligibility (P =.056) and CCM (P =.09) were significant, but entry in the multivariate model found no independent variables associated with readmission. Conclusions: Subjects discharged with J44.1 had a variety of health-based and social needs which may impact readmission. Discharge coding did not always reflect the top diagnosis listed in progress notes.
Heat Transfer Characteristics of Two-Phase Impinged-Jet Flow and Channel Flow

In the present study, the lateral heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics between two-phase impinged-jet flow and two-phase channel flow were compared. The effects of volumetric quality (0 − 0...
Exploring the Potential of Drug Response Assays for Precision Medicine in Ovarian Cancer

One of the major challenges in the treatment of cancer are differential responses of patients to existing standard of care anti-cancer drugs. These differential responses may, in part, be due to a diverse range of genomic, epigenomic, proteomic, and metabolic alterations among individuals suffering from the same type of cancer. Precision medicine is an emerging approach in cancer therapeutics that takes into account specific molecular alterations, environmental factors as well as lifestyle of individual patients. This approach allows clinicians and researchers to select or predict treatments that would most likely benefit the patient based on their individual tumor characteristics. One class of precision medicine tools are predictive, in vitro drug-response assays designed to test the sensitivity of patient tumor cells to existing or novel therapies. These assays have the potential to rapidly identify the most effective treatments for cancer patients and thus hold great promise in the field of precision medicine. In this review, we have highlighted several drug-response assays developed in ovarian cancer and discussed the current challenges and future prospects of these assays in the clinical management of this disease.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha is associated with mineral bone disorder and growth impairment in children with chronic kidney disease

Mineral and bone disorder (MBD) and growth impairment are common complications of pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD). Chronic inflammation detrimentally affects bone health and statural growth in non-CKD settings, but the impact of inflammation on CKD-MBD and growth in pediatric CKD remains poorly understood. This study assessed associations between inflammatory cytokines with biomarkers of CKD-MBD and statural growth in pediatric CKD. This is a cross-sectional study of children with predialysis CKD stages II–V. Cytokines (IL-1b, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, TNF-α, interferon-γ), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), and procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) were measured at the same time as standard CKD-MBD biomarkers. Associations between cytokines, CKD-MBD biomarkers, and height z-score were assessed using linear regression analysis. Among 63 children, 52.4% had stage 3 CKD, 76.2% non-glomerular CKD etiology, and 21% short stature. TNF-α was the only cytokine associated with parathyroid hormone (PTH) independent of glomerular filtration rate. After stratification by low, medium, and high TNF-α tertiles, significant differences in PTH, serum phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, BAP, P1NP, and height z-score were found. In a multivariate analysis, TNF-α positively associated with phosphorus, PTH, and alkaline phosphatase and inversely associated with height z-score, independent of kidney function, age, sex, and active vitamin D analogue use. TNF-α is positively associated with biomarkers of CKD-MBD and inversely associated with height z-score, indicating that inflammation likely contributes to the development of CKD-MBD and growth impairment in pediatric CKD. Prospective studies to definitively assess causative effects of inflammation on bone health and growth in children with CKD are warranted.
A method for measuring the molecular ratio of inhalation to exhalation and effect of inspired oxygen levels on oxygen consumption

Using a new method for measuring the molecular ratio (R) of inhalation to exhalation, we investigated the effect of high fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) on oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide generation (VCO2), and respiratory quotient (RQ) in mechanically ventilated rats. Twelve rats were equally assigned into two groups by anesthetics: intravenous midazolam/fentanyl vs. inhaled isoflurane. R, VO2, VCO2, and RQ were measured at FIO2 0.3 or 1.0. R error was ± 0.003. R was 1.0099 ± 0.0023 with isoflurane and 1.0074 ± 0.0018 with midazolam/fentanyl. R was 1.0081 ± 0.0017 at an FIO2 of 0.3 and 1.0092 ± 0.0029 at an FIO2 of 1.0. There were no differences in VCO2 among the groups. VO2 increased at FIO2 1.0, which was more notable when midazolam/fentanyl was used (isoflurane-FIO2 0.3: 15.4 ± 1.1; isoflurane-FIO2 1.0: 17.2 ± 1.8; midazolam/fentanyl-FIO2 0.3: 15.4 ± 1.1; midazolam/fentanyl-FIO2 1.0: 21.0 ± 2.2 mL/kg/min at STP). The RQ was lower at FIO2 1.0 than FIO2 0.3 (isoflurane-FIO2 0.3: 0.80 ± 0.07; isoflurane-FIO2 1.0: 0.71 ± 0.05; midazolam/fentanyl-FIO2 0.3: 0.79 ± 0.03; midazolam/fentanyl-FIO2 1.0: 0.59 ± 0.04). R was not affected by either anesthetics or FIO2. Inspired 100% O2 increased VO2 and decreased RQ, which might be more remarkable when midazolam/fentanyl was used.
Measurement of spin mixing conductance in Ni81Fe19/α-W and Ni81Fe19/β-W heterostructures via ferromagnetic resonance

We present measurements of interfacial Gilbert damping due to the spin pumping effect in Ni81Fe19/W heterostructures. Measurements were compared for heterostructures in which the crystallographic phase of W, either α(bcc)-W or β(A15)-W, was enriched through deposition conditions and characterized using X-ray diffraction and high-resolution cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy. Single-phase Ni81Fe19/α-W heterostructures could be realized, but heterostructures with β-W were realized as a mixed α-β phase. The spin mixing conductances for W at interfaces with Ni81Fe19 were found to be significantly lower than those for similar heavy metals such as Pd and Pt, but comparable to those for Ta, and independent of enrichment in the β phase.
Social Mobility in Late Antique Gaul: Strategies and Opportunities for the Non-Elite

In Social Mobility in Late Antique Gaul, Allen Jones explores the situation of the non-elite living in Gaul during the late fifth and sixth centuries. Drawing especially on evidence from Gregory of Tours' writings, he formulates a social model based on people of all ranks who were acting in ways that were socially advantageous to them, such as combining resources, serving at court, and participating in ostentatious religious pursuits, such as building churches. Viewing the society as a whole, and taking into account specific social groups, such as impoverished prisoners, paupers active at churches, physicians, and wonder-working enchanters, Jones creates an image of Barbarian Gaul as an honor-driven, brutal, and flexible society defined by social mobility. His work also addresses topics such as social engineering and competition, magic and religion, and the cult of saints.
Security Issues for Position Location

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction and Motivation Types of Position Location Attacks Impact and Analysis of Location Attacks Attack Detection and Localization Conclusion and Continuing Work References
Diagnostic medicine: the challenge of differentiating infection from disease and making sense for the veterinary clinician.

This chapter discusses the challenge of differentiating infection from disease and making sense for the veterinary clinician. Veterinary diagnostics—like their human counterparts—are already directing efforts toward more sensitive assays, which are capable of detecting infections very early (within hours of initial infection); subclinical infections that are the result of persistent infections acquired during gestation and masked by immune tolerance; latent infections because of herpesviruses and retroviruses; and infections that pose a public health risk. The evolution of diseases and the emergence of newly recognized pathogens have placed considerable pressure on new diagnostic technologies. The newer assays assist in tracking the emerging infections, as well as linking causal association with disease to a firm cause and effect of the disease. The future of veterinary diagnostics is now. There are at least five directions to be pursued, none of which is new, but continuing to evolve as the needs mandate the detection of infection earlier and the diagnosis of disease at a manageable stage.
Phosphocellulose, an affinity chromatographic system for chorismate synthase and the aromatic complex of Neurospora crassa.

Abstract Unlike other enzymes of the aromatic multienzyme system, chorismate synthase and the aromatic complex of Neurospora crassa were found to bind to a column of cellulose phosphate and to elute at a relatively high concentration of phosphate (∼ 0.2 M ). The fact that other enzymes with similar ionic properties failed to bind to phosphocellulose suggests that the binding of the former two enzyme systems is due to a specific affinity for phosphate. This conclusion is not only supported by the fact that these same enzymes did not bind to a column of carboxymethyl cellulose, but also is consistent with the nature of the catalytic reactions of the enzymes. Both the shikimate kinase enzyme of the aromatic complex and chorismate synthase would be expected to have active sites which accomodate a phosphate moiety. We anticipate that other enzymes which involve phospho-substrates will also be amendable to this procedure.
Dynamic Load Balancing Model: Preliminary Assessment of a Biological Model for a Pseudo-search Engine

Emulation of the current World Wide Web (WWW) search engines using methodologies derived from Genetic Programming (GP) and Knowledge Discovery in Databases (KDD) were used for the Pseudo-Searc h Engine's initial parallel implementation of an indexer simulator. The indexer was implemented to follo w some of the characteristics currently implemented by AltaVista and Inktomi search engines who index each word in a Web document. This approach has provided very thorough and comprehensive search engine results that have led to the development of a Pseudo-Search Engine Indexer which has in turn provided insight into the computational effort needed to develop and implement an integrated searc h engine - information crucial to the adaptation of a biological model. The initial implementation of the Pseudo-Search Engine Indexer simulator used the Message Passing Interface (MPI) on a netw ork of SUN workstations and an IBM SP2 computer system.
Building Instructional Strategies from Student Traits

Abstract A model is presented that elaborates the process whereby teachers may move from observed student traits to instructional strategies that are based on those traits. The intent is to serve, in particular, teachers of language minority and other culturally distinct students. The model focuses on the content, context and mode (terms are defined) of an instructional strategy. A number of examples are provided indicating how a specific student trait might affect an instructional strategy at any of these three points. Two procedures are discussed for implementing the CCM model. The Broad Approach lists traits in superordinate categories before fitting them into the model; the Direct Approach works directly from an observed student trait to any of the three components of the model.
Does surgical subspecialization in pediatrics provide high-quality, cost-effective patient care?

Objective. To determine if pediatric surgical subspecialization provides cost-effective, high-quality pediatric patient care. Methods. Ureteroneocystostomy inpatients over 4 years were studied. Hospital charges and complications were compared between general urologists and fellow-hip-trained pediatric urologists. Results. Hospital charges were significantly less ($1095) for patients under the care of a pediatric urologist. Complication rates were also lower. Conclusions. Pediatric urology subspecialization offers high-quality, cost-effective pediatric patient care.
Metatarsal geometry and the indication for stress fractures

The present study analyzes the effect of changes in the geometry of the metatarsals (MT) on the incidence of MT stress fractures. Patient specific MT geometries were extracted from x-rays. Stresses in MT's were computed using bending theory and compared with the incidence for stress fractures. Results showed that MT cross-sectional area plays a profound role in stress fracture incidence.
Process considerations in the fabrication of Teflon printed circuit boards

Teflon-based dielectric materials provide desirable electrical and mechanical properties when used as insulator materials for printed wiring boards (PWB's). However, along with the significant performance and reliability advantages of these insulator materials for microwave and high speed digital applications, there are also significant processing challenges. This paper reviews the significant electrical and mechanical properties of Teflon-based packaging materials, and discusses the unique processing challenges encountered in the fabrication of Teflon printed circuit boards and modules. Key features of the IBM Microelectronics High Performance Carrier fabrication process are described as they relate to those challenges. >
The Java Search Agent Workshop

As part of the ongoing Illinois Digital Library Initiative project, this paper presents the Java Search Agent Workshop (JSAW), a testbed designed for Java-based information searching. Based on artificial intelligence, neural networks, and G-Search, we implemented several search methods in Java to demonstrate their feasibility in various database, Internet, Intranet, and digital library search tasks. In addition to detailing our design rationale and implementation status, we present several sample Java implementations including a best first search spider and G-Search spider for Internet searching, and a Hopfield neural network based visualizer for database searching. Lessons learned and future directions are also presented.