cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identifying risk of progression for patients with Chronic Kidney Disease using clustering models

Chronic Kidney Disease ("CKD") and its comorbidities, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease ("CVD"), are frequently measured by routine procedures and lab tests, creating a large amount of historical data about this patient population. In this paper, we conducted a retrospective study based on Electronic Health Records ("EHR") data, in order to identify patterns in the development of CKD. In particular, we used a clustering approach to quantifiably identify diabetic patients who are at risk of progressing to advanced stages of CKD. Using values from routine measurements and lab tests such as systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, body mass index ("BMI"), Hemoglobin A1c ("HbAlc"), triglycerides and high density lipid cholesterol ("HDL cholesterol"), patients were classified into four clusters with a distinct separation between the cluster with the best value for each lab test and a cluster with the worst value for each lab test. We used lab values from each subsequent visit to calculate a progression score using the distance to the best and worst clusters, which indicated whether a patient's health was improving or deteriorating. We believe that this approach holds promise for future tools, as it is able to provide an ordered list of patients who are at greater risk of deterioration and should benefit from intervention by healthcare providers. The conclusions made in this paper are aimed at enabling timely monitoring and earlier intervention for patients that are associated with higher possibility of CKD progression.
Enforced DNA repair enzymes rescue neurons from apoptosis induced by target deprivation and axotomy in mouse models of neurodegeneration

It is unknown whether DNA damage accumulation is an upstream instigator or secondary effect of the cell death process in different populations of adult postmitotic neurons in the central nervous system. In two different mouse models of injury-induced neurodegeneration characterized by relatively synchronous accumulation of mitochondria, oxidative stress, and DNA damage prior to neuronal apoptosis, we enforced the expression of human 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (hOGG1) and human apurinic-apyrimidinic endonuclease-1/Ref1 (hAPE) using recombinant adenoviruses (Ad). Thalamic lateral geniculate neurons and lumbar spinal cord motor neurons were transduced by Ad-hOGG1 and Ad-hAPE injections into the occipital cortex and skeletal muscle, respectively, prior to their target deprivation- and axotomy-induced retrograde apoptosis. Enforced expression of hOGG1 and hAPE in thalamus and spinal cord was confirmed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. In injured populations of neurons in thalamus and spinal cord, a DNA damage response (DDR) was registered, as shown by localization of phospho-activated p53, Rad17, and replication protein A-32 immunoreactivities, and this DDR was attenuated more effectively by enforced hAPE expression than by hOGG1 expression. Enforced expression of hOGG1 and hAPE significantly protected thalamic neurons and motor neurons from retrograde apoptosis induced by target deprivation and axotomy. We conclude that a DDR response is engaged pre-apoptotically in different types of injured mature CNS neurons and that DNA repair enzymes can regulate the survival of retrogradely dying neurons, suggesting that DNA damage and activation of DDR are upstream mechanisms for this form of adult neurodegeneration in vivo, thus identifying DNA repair as a therapeutic target for neuroprotection.
SU‐F‐T‐484: Initial Evaluation of a Novel 6D QA Phantom (HexaCheck) for Daily 6D Couch Correction Assessment

Purpose: Treatment couches with 6D correction capabilities have become a regular part of IGRT. While 6D couches have been shown to function mechanically well, phantoms for daily angular QA accuracy assessment have yet to be commercially available. Standard Imaging™ has developed a phantom designed for daily verification of pitch, roll, and yaw corrections. In this study, the mechanical integrity, reproducibility, and daily 6D correction stability of the phantom using both volumetric (Elekta− XVI kV-CBCT) and orthogonal kV (Brainlab ExacTrac) imaging was evaluated. Methods: The HexaCheck is a rotating base that works in conjunction with the MIMI imaging phantom. The MIMI is placed inside the HexaCheck and secured to prevent motion. The HexaCheck has screws in each rotational direction (pitch, roll, and yaw) along with a spring-loaded peg to lock each direction firmly. When a peg is released, the HexaCheck rotates 2.5° solely in that direction. Mechanical integrity was assessed using a level with 0.05° precision. For daily 6D corrections, a high resolution reference CT (0.59 × 0.59 × 1.25 mm3) of the HexaCheck was acquired. Ten (n=10) independent, daily acquisitions using both the ExacTrac with the 6D Brainlab™ couch and the Elekta XVI kV-CBCT with the HexaPOD™ couch were acquired to test detection and positioning accuracy. Results: Physical measurements show that the HexaCheck rotations for pitch, roll, and yaw were 2.43±0.05 deg, 2.50±0.05 deg, and 2.62±0.05 deg, respectively. Maximum mean values for the imaging registration accuracy were 0.2° and 0.3° for ExacTrac and XVI, respectively. Maximum mean values for the couch positioning accuracy were 0.1° and 0.2° for the Brainlab couch and HexaPOD, respectively. Conclusion: The HexaCheck performance yields consistent results for daily testing in all three rotational directions using both 2D and 3D imaging modalities and also appears to be a simple method for daily 3D rotational testing.
Region of origin diversity in immigrant health: Moving beyond the Mexican case.

Abstract Research suggests that Mexican immigrants arrive in the United States with equivalent or better health than native-born whites but lose their advantage over time. We seek to examine systematically how well the patterns of initial advantage and deteriorating health apply to immigrants originating from other regions of the world – regions that represent a growing proportion of U.S. immigrants. We begin by identifying which of the groups in our study have a health advantage compared to U.S.-born whites and to Mexican immigrants. We then we assess changes in health over time, controlling for variation in the health profiles of cohorts upon arrival. We use logistic regression of self-rated health and heart conditions with data from the 2004–2013 National Health Interview Survey. The results reveal diversity and similarity in health outcomes across world regions of origin, both on arrival and over time. By comparing and contrasting cases previously examined in isolation, we clarify and qualify theories of the immigrant health paradox and health deterioration.
Propulsion Principles and Engine Classification

The different types of aerospace propulsion engines are quantitatively described and the basic performance attributes of each by applying basic integral conservation equations. When work but no heat was added to the flow processed by the engine we had the case of the propeller, which turned out to be the most efficient propulsion device. Though efficient, the propeller was speed-limited because for a given power input, the thrust produced varied approximately inversely to the flight speed. When only heat is added but no net work is done on the fluid passing through engine, we have the case of the turbojet, ramjet, scramjet, or pulsejet engines, all of which are less efficient than the propeller, but capable of speeds much higher than those achievable with a propeller. A special case of adding only heat is the rocket, which takes in no ambient fluid but instead carries onboard all the propellants. The thrust of a rocket is independent of flight speed and because all the fluid it uses is carried onboard, the rocket is able to operate in the vacuum of space. By adding both work and heat to the fluid we arrive at the case of the turbofan which derives benefits of both the propeller and the turbojet. The ratio of the mass flow of the work-added part to the heat-added part is called the bypass ratio. The turbofan enjoys the lower specific fuel consumption provided by the fan section of the engine and the high-speed capability of the turbojet section of the engine. After illustrating the different engine types which use the principle of jet propulsion, attention was focused on the force field generated by such engines and the means by which the fundamental performance characteristics of the engines can be calculated.
The utility of preoperative laboratories in predicting postoperative complications following posterolateral lumbar fusion.

Abstract Background Context Several studies have suggested that laboratory results have minimal impact on clinical decision making in surgery. Despite the widespread use of preoperative testing in spine surgery and the large volume of posterolateral lumbar fusions (PLFs) being performed each year, no study has assessed the ability of preoperative laboratories to predict adverse events following PLF. Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between commonly obtained preoperative laboratory results and postoperative complications following one- to two-level PLF. Study Design This is a retrospective study of prospectively collected data. Patient Sample The 2006–2013 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was employed to identify all patients who underwent one- to two-level PLF. Outcome Measures The outcome variables of interest were 30-day postoperative complications, which were assessed as major complications, minor adverse events, and total complications. Materials and Methods Demographics, comorbidities, and perioperative characteristics were collected for each patient. Preoperative laboratories included sodium, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, albumin, bilirubin, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, white blood cell count, hematocrit, platelet count, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, and partial thromboplastin time. Bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression modeling were used to explore the relationship between abnormal preoperative laboratories and the incidence of postoperative complications. Results After controlling for age, ASA score, length of surgery, and all significant comorbidities, abnormal sodium (odds ratio [OR]=2.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.45–4.19, p=.001) and abnormal INR (OR=2.33, 95% CI: 1.09–4.98, p=.029) were significantly associated with the development of any complication. Sodium (OR=1.61, 95% CI: 1.01–2.54, p=.04) and platelets (OR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.02–2.44, p=.04) were associated with minor complications. Meanwhile, creatinine (OR=1.74, 95% CI: 1.02–2.99, p=.04) and platelets (OR=1.71, 95% CI: 1.02–2.89, p=.04) were significant predictors of major adverse events. Conclusions This study represents the first attempt to assess the utility of preoperative laboratories in predicting postoperative complications in PLF. Although the majority of laboratories were not significantly associated with adverse events, abnormal sodium values, INR, creatinine, and platelets were shown to be predictive of various complications.
Plant diterpenoid metabolism for manufacturing the biopharmaceuticals of tomorrow: prospects and challenges

Plant diterpenoids encompass a diverse group of more than ten thousand specialized (traditionally termed ‘secondary’) metabolites with significant ecological functions and industrial uses. Bioactive diterpenoids form an important source of bio-based pharmaceuticals, as exemplified by the approved anti-cancer drugs paclitaxel and ingenol mebutate. Advanced genomics, metabolomics and enzyme discovery technologies have spawned a new era of exploring traditional medicinal plants for novel or improved therapeutics. Across the plant kingdom numerous diterpene synthase and cytochrome P450 enzymes with key roles in generating diterpenoid chemical diversity have been identified in recent years. This catalog of enzyme catalysts and a deeper knowledge of specialized diterpenoid metabolism can now be applied to modern microbial and photosynthetic production systems, offering alternative avenues for the sustainable manufacture of plant-based medicines important to humanity.
Randomized Trial of Intelligent Sensor System for Early Illness Alerts in Senior Housing.

Abstract Objectives Measure the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of using sensor data from an environmentally embedded sensor system for early illness recognition. This sensor system has demonstrated in pilot studies to detect changes in function and in chronic diseases or acute illnesses on average 10 days to 2 weeks before usual assessment methods or self-reports of illness. Design Prospective intervention study in 13 assisted living (AL) communities of 171 residents randomly assigned to intervention (n=86) or comparison group (n=85) receiving usual care. Methods Intervention participants lived with the sensor system an average of one year. Measurements Continuous data collected 24 hours/7 days a week from motion sensors to measure overall activity, an under mattress bed sensor to capture respiration, pulse, and restlessness as people sleep, and a gait sensor that continuously measures gait speed, stride length and time, and automatically assess for increasing fall risk as the person walks around the apartment. Continuously running computer algorithms are applied to the sensor data and send health alerts to staff when there are changes in sensor data patterns. Results The randomized comparison group functionally declined more rapidly than the intervention group. Walking speed and several measures from GaitRite, velocity, step length left and right, stride length left and right, and the fall risk measure of functional ambulation profile (FAP) all had clinically significant changes. The walking speed increase (worse) and velocity decline (worse) of 0.073 m/s for comparison group exceeded 0.05 m/s, a value considered to be a minimum clinically important difference. No differences were measured in health care costs. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that sensor data with health alerts and fall alerts sent to AL nursing staff can be an effective strategy to detect and intervene in early signs of illness or functional decline.
Un caso de tutoría grupal: aplicación de técnicas de aprendizaje cooperativo orientado a resolución de problemas de la especialidad en ingeniería ambiental

This article analyzes group tutoring for anenvironmental engineering group-class towhich techniques of cooperative learningaimed at problem solving were applied.The analysis was undertaken through systematicobservation of classes (temporaryregistration of events and map of classroom)where student and teacher rate ofparticipation and interaction in the classwill be measured. Likewise, a survey willbe applied to know the perception anddegree of satisfaction of the students withthe methodology used and finally a comparisonof the rate of approval of the subjectin relation to the previous year will beundertaken to verify the effects of this activemethodology regarding learning outcomes.The results have been satisfactory,participation in class increases althoughother results should be reconsidered dueto lack of knowledge about the method.
Mechanism of Action and Clinical Impact of Ribociclib-Response.

We would like to thank Dr. Sorscher for the clarification provided. We would also like to point out that cyclin/CDK complexes, in addition to being a convergence point for multiple nutrition and growth factor signals, can also be oncogenically activated by way of amplification of CDKs and cyclins (
Multi-agent constrained optimization of a strongly convex function

We consider cooperative multi-agent consensus optimization problems over an undirected network of agents, where only local communications are allowed. The objective is to minimize the sum of agent-specific convex functions over agent-specific private conic constraint sets. We provide convergence rates in sub-optimality, infeasibility and consensus violation when the sum function is strongly convex; examine the effect of underlying network topology on the convergence rates of the proposed decentralized algorithm.
Assessment of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Lymphocytes of Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by abnormal activation and cell death signaling within the immune system. Activation, proliferation, or death of cells of the immune system is dependent on controlled reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) production and ATP synthesis in mitochondria. The mitochondrial transmembrane potential (∆ψ (m)) reflects the energy stored in the electrochemical gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane which, in turn, is used by F(0)F(1)-ATPase to convert ADP to ATP during oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondrial hyperpolarization (MHP) and transient ATP depletion represent early and reversible steps in T cell activation and apoptosis. By contrast, T lymphocytes of patients with SLE exhibit elevated ∆ψ (m), i.e., persistent mitochondrial hyperpolarization (MHP), cytoplasmic alkalinization, increased ROI production, as well as diminished levels of intracellular glutathione and ATP. Increased production of nitric oxide has been identified as a cause of MHP and increased mitochondrial biogenesis. Oxidative stress affects signaling through the T cell receptor as well as activity of redox--sensitive caspases. ATP depletion causes diminished activation-induced apoptosis and sensitizes lupus T cells to necrosis. Activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has recently emerged as a key sensor of MHP and mediator of enhanced Ca(2+) flux in lupus T cells.
Meaning and Medication in the Care of Treatment-Resistant Patients

When patients fail to respond to psychopharmacologic treatment, one reason is that the meanings that treatment and/or wellness hold for them are psychologically intolerable. The result may be noncompliance with medications or the repeated emergence of intolerable side-effects, or a defensive attachment to the medications that prevents improvement. When treatment resistance emerges from the level of meaning, it may be that it can be resolved only by addressing it at that level. This paper argues for the importance of integrating psychological understanding into the pharmacologic treatment of treatment-resistant patients, and explores some factors that mitigate against integration. Several treatment vignettes are presented, suggesting ways of working with meaning in relation to pharmacology. Finally, the paper explores benefits of integration for treaters, even if integration does not result in the resolution of treatment resistance.
Design and in Vitro Testing of Newly Made Bicomponent Knitted Fabrics for Vascular Surgery

The purpose of this study is to advance an alternative design of knitted vascular grafts in order to achieve low bleeding porosity at implantation without the expense of high healing porosity for full-wall healing. The design is based on the utilization of both biodegradable (polyglycolic acid) and nonbiodegradable (Dacron) synthetic fibers blended at various composition ratios. The fabric construction is of single jersey weft knitted tubular structure. The experimental part of this study included the fabrication of the knitted specimens at various composition ratios of PGA to Dacron fibers, characterization of the knitted specimens, and in the in vitro physical, mechanical and morphological testing of the specimens after various periods of immersion in phosphate buffer of pH 7.4. The overall properties of these bicomponent fabrics were determined by the relative magnitudes of the two opposite factors: the absorption of PGA component and the inherent relaxation shrinkage of the weft knitted fabrics. The most important observation of the study was the achievement of increasing water porosity with the duration of immersion without the significant expenses of structural integrity and strength of the specimens. This unique property has not been found in commercial vascular graft fabrics of similar construction.
The roles of oxygen vacancies, electrolyte composition, lattice structure, and doping density on the electrochemical reactivity of Magnéli phase TiO2 anodes

Substoichiometric TiO2 (TinO2n−1, 4 ≤ n ≤ 10) is a promising and cost-effective material, that is being investigated for many applications, such as information storage, energy storage and conversion, and water treatment. Upon extended anodic polarization, TinO2n−1 reportedly suffers from gradual loss in conductivity and electrochemical reactivity. In this study, the surface deactivation and reactivation mechanisms were examined on a TinO2n−1 monolithic electrode in three different electrolyte solutions (i.e., H2SO4, HClO4, HCl). The intrinsic electronic properties, charge transfer kinetics, crystalline structure, and surface composition were examined experimentally after anodic and cathodic polarizations. Statistically equivalent results were obtained from local scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) and bulk electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurement, which indicate that spatially resolved SECM data accurately characterized charge transfer kinetics of the TinO2n−1 electrode at the micron-scale. Results indicate that decreases in conductivity and charge transfer kinetics after anodic polarizations in all three electrolytes were primarily attributed to the loss of charge carriers, such as H+ discharge at Ti3+ point donor sites, and the process was reversible during cathodic polarization via H+ intercalation. In the H2SO4 electrolyte reversible surface passivation also occurred, which was attributed to the formation of TiOSO4 surface species whose presence were supported by experimental measurements and density functional theory calculations. It was also determined that the TinO2n−1 crystal structure directly affected the hydroxyl radical formation rate, with the highest rate observed for Ti4O7, which also possessed the highest charge carrier density.
Proceedings of the 2011 ACM SIGPLAN X10 Workshop

It is our pleasure to welcome you to the 2011 ACM SIGPLAN X10 Workshop --- X10'11. This inaugural edition of the workshop provided a forum for X10 developers, researchers, and educators to interact with the larger X10 community by sharing their insights, experiences, and plans. The call for papers attracted fourteen submissions from Asia, Europe, and North America. The program committee accepted eleven papers that cover a variety of topics, including experiences teaching with X10, applications written in X10, compile and runtime implementation of X10, performance comparisons and models of X10, and extensions to X10. Three of the accepted submissions were "presentation-only"; i.e., the authors chose not to publish their paper in these proceedings to allow the work to appear in another venue. Slides for all presentations are available at the workshop website (x10-lang.org). We hope that these proceedings will serve as a valuable reference for programming language researchers, educators, and developers. In addition to the eleven presentations, the program also included an introduction to the language and concluded with a discussion of future language directions and community feedback.
The Conceptual and Empirical Value of a Positive Lens: An Invitation to Organizational Scholars to Develop Novel Research Questions

This article articulates how a positive lens contributes to organizational studies by stimulating novel research questions to foster flourishing in individuals, teams, and organizations. We highlig...
Effects of novel pyrrolomycin MP1 in MYCN amplified chemoresistant neuroblastoma cell lines alone and combined with temsirolimus.

The activity of MP1, a pyrrolomycin, was studied in MYCN amplified neuroblastoma (NB) alone and combined with temsirolimus (TEM). Activity of MP1 was tested in MYCN amplified (BE-2c, IMR) and non amplified (SKN-AS) NB cells. The effect of MP1 on MYCN, MCL-1, cleaved PARP, LC3II/LC3I, bcl-2, BAX, and BRD-4 were determined by western blot and RNAseq. The effect of MP1 on metabolism, mitochondrial morphology, and cell cycle was determined. Toxicology and efficacy of MP1 plus TEM were evaluated. The IC50 of MP1 was 0.096 μM in BE-2c cells compared to 0.89 μM in IMR, and >50 μM in SKN-AS. The IC50 of MP1 plus TEM in BE-2c cells was 0.023 μM. MP1 inhibited metabolism leading to quiescence and produced a decline in cell cycle S-phase. Electron microscopy showed cristae loss and rounding up of mitochondria. Gene and protein expression for MYCN and MCL-1 declined while LCII and cleaved PARP increased. Protein expression of BAX, bcl-2, and BRD-4 were not significantly changed after MP1 treatment. The in-vivo concentrations of MP1 in blood and tumor were sufficient to produce the biologic effects seen in-vitro. MP1 plus TEM produced a complete response in 3 out of 5 tumor bearing mice. In a second mouse study, the combination of MP1 and TEM slowed tumor growth compared to control. MP1 has a potent inhibitory effect on the viability of MYCN amplified NB. Inhibition of metabolism by MP1 induced quiescence and autophagy with a favorable toxicology and drug distribution profile. When combined with TEM anti-tumor activity was potentiated in-vitro and in-vivo.
Diagnosing pseudo-conduction block across an anteromedial mitral ablation line: Limitations of bidirectional and differential pacing.

Macroreentrant or scar-related reentrant atrial tachycardias, including perimitral atrial flutter, are often seen in patients with a history of atrial fibrillation ablation.1 Multiple strategies for ablating this arrhythmia have been proposed, but traditionally the lateral mitral isthmus line (mitral annulus to the left inferior pulmonary vein) has been the preferred approach. Achieving a line of block across the isthmus can prove difficult secondary to challenging anatomy, including epicardial connections, convective cooling from coronary sinus (CS) blood pool, and myocardial thickness. Pseudo-line of block across the mitral isthmus line is well described and is associated with an increased risk of recurrent arrhythmia.2 An alternative ablative approach for perimitral flutter is to create an anteromedial line (from the septal mitral annulus to the right superior pulmonary vein [RSPV]). This line, although longer, avoids the issue of epicardial bridges in the CS and vein of Marshall (VoM); however, this ablative approach introduces other pitfalls that may complicate the interpretation of standard criteria for confirming trans–ablation line block. We describe herein an example of pseudo-line of block across an anteromedial line, despite findings of putative block as confirmed by bidirectional and differential pacing. The correct diagnosis was achieved with reinduction of the arrhythmia and demonstrating propagation of very slow conduction through a circumscribed gap at 1 end of the ablation line with an ultra-high-density mapping catheter. This case highlights the importance of performing bidirectional and differential pacing at several sites along the course of a relatively long ablation line, since conduction across the line may be masked if testing is performed at a single trans-ablation site, particularly if it is several centimeters from the area of conduction breakthrough.
Decreased early complication rates associated with rheumatoid arthritis compared to alternate indications for total elbow arthroplasty

Abstract: Background Rheumatoid arthritis is currently seen as the primary surgical indication for total elbow arthroplasty (TEA). Nevertheless, surgical indications continue to expand accounting for greater TEA case volumes. Despite evolving trends, very few data describes complications associated with specific surgical indication of TEA. Methods We analyzed The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database for individuals that received a TEA from 2006 to 2015. Surgical indications and 30-day postoperative complication data for patients treated as inpatients at participating hospitals was obtained. Results 317 patients were identified for analysis. 22.1% of individuals received TEA for rheumatoid arthritis. 52 total adverse events were reported for all patients undergoing TEA. Rheumatoid arthritis patients experienced significantly lower rates of overall adverse events (8.57% versus 18.62%, p= 0.045). Conclusion Rheumatoid arthritis patients that undergo TEA are significantly less likely to develop a 30 day post-operative complication than patients who receive TEA for other reasons.
Weight loss interventions for Hispanic women in the USA: A protocol for a systematic review

In the U.S., Hispanic women experience a disproportionate rate of obesity and obesity-related chronic diseases. At the same time, Hispanic women remain considerably underrepresented in behavioral weight loss interventions. The purpose of this review is to systematically evaluate the evidence related to the effectiveness of weight loss interventions among Hispanic women in the U.S. This review will identify elements of successful weight loss interventions as well as areas for future research. The following databases will be searched to identify all relevant articles (from inception onwards): PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science (Science Citation Index and Social Sciences Citation Index), PsycINFO, CINAHL, Chicano Database, SPORTDiscus, CAB Abstracts, and Google Scholar. We will include randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies of adult women (> 18 years) from Hispanic/Latino background living in the United States. Eligible interventions will target weight-related behaviors (including diet, physical activity, behavior modification and/or their combinations). The review’s primary outcome will be weight change (expressed as change in lbs/kg or body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2)). Three reviewers will independently screen and select data and two will extract data. The methodological quality (or risk of bias) of individual studies will be appraised using the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool. A narrative synthesis will describe quality and content of the evidence. The aim of this systematic review is to critically examine existing weight loss interventions for Hispanic women in the U.S. and provide quality evidence for the effectiveness of these interventions on weight loss. Further, this review seeks to identify characteristics of effective interventions and suggest future directions for research efforts targeting weight loss in this population. This review will inform the development of future weight loss interventions for this population. PROSPERO CRD42019119094
The prolactin receptor long isoform regulates nociceptor sensitization and opioid-induced hyperalgesia selectively in females.

Pain is more prevalent in women for reasons that remain unclear. We have identified a mechanism of injury-free nociceptor sensitization and opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) promoted by prolactin (PRL) in females. PRL signals through mutually inhibitory long (PRLR-L) and short (PRLR-S) receptor isoforms, and PRLR-S activation induces neuronal excitability. PRL and PRLR expression were higher in females. CRISPR-mediated editing of PRLR-L promoted nociceptor sensitization and allodynia in naive, uninjured female mice that depended on circulating PRL. Opioids, but not trauma-induced nerve injury, decreased PRLR-L promoting OIH through activation of PRLR-S in female mice. Deletion of both PRLR-L and PRLR-S (total PRLR) prevented, whereas PRLR-L overexpression rescued established OIH selectively in females. Inhibition of circulating PRL with cabergoline, a dopamine D2 agonist, up-regulated PRLR-L and prevented OIH only in females. The PRLR-L isoform therefore confers protection against PRL-promoted pain in females. Limiting PRL/PRLR-S signaling pharmacologically or with gene therapies targeting the PRLR may be effective for reducing pain in a female-selective manner.
Privacy, Conﬁdentiality, and Justice

Data about public health issues such as HIV are being collected from many different sources and being used in many different ways. The traditional distinction that has been drawn with respect to data protection policies lies bet-ween identiﬁable data — protected by individual consent — and data that have been de-identiﬁed, not protected very much at all, except possibly against re-identiﬁcation. When identiﬁable data are sought for public health purposes, the ethical permissibility of their use is framed in terms of conﬂicts between individual rights and the public good. In this article, we have argued that it is a mistake to draw the primary ethical line between identiﬁable and de-identiﬁed data, and to see the primary ethical conﬂict as between individual rights and the public good. Instead, strategies must be developed to improve justice in the collection and use of data, whether identiﬁable or de-identiﬁed. We have suggested at least three such strategies: transparency, participant involvement, and reciprocal beneﬁts for those affected by data collection and use.
Isolated Central Nervous System Metastasis From Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Cervix Without Pulmonary Metastasis.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix (NECC) accounts for 2% of all cervical cancers. Brain metastasis is rare, with few cases described in the literature, and is usually associated with preceding pulmonary metastasis. We describe an additional case of isolated brain metastasis without pulmonary metastasis from NECC and reflect on unique management. A 37-year-old woman with a history of NECC presented with severe headache post-total hysterectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection. The computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated obstructive hydrocephalus with several intra-axial lesions located in the pineal region, left cerebellar hemisphere, and left frontal operculum. A right frontal ventriculostomy was initially placed to relieve the hydrocephalus. CSF was sent for cytology but was unrevealing. Due to the degree of brainstem compression and the need to obtain a pathologic diagnosis, a posterior fossa craniotomy for the removal of the lesion was performed. Histopathology demonstrated small blue cell tumors positive for neuroendocrine markers consistent with neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix. Resection of additional metastasis was not recommended. An endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) was then performed in order to remove the ventriculostomy with success. The patient was then referred to radiation oncology and received whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) for a total of 30 Grays (3000 cGy) over 10 fractions. Interval imaging demonstrated complete resolution of the pineal and left frontal lesions. The patient was symptom-free for approximately three months. She then presented with paraplegia consistent with follow-up imaging of her neuraxis, demonstrating drop metastasis in her cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Spinal radiation was given with partial recovery in upper extremity function, however, lower extremity function did not recover. The patient was then transferred to palliative care. There are no guidelines on NECC brain metastasis management. Brain metastasis is associated with reduced longevity. NECC has a propensity for early dissemination and treatment failure. ETV is preferred over ventriculoperitoneal shunting in cases with obstructive hydrocephalus, as it may reduce the risk of tumor seeding. Retrospectively, our patient may have benefitted from upfront craniospinal radiation.
Introduction to the Properties and Analysis of Fractal Objects, Processes, and Data

Three important properties that fractal systems have are: 1) self-similarity, 2) scaling relationships that connect different spatial or temporal regimes, and 3) „monstrous“ properties such as zero or non-finite values of the moments such as the mean or variance. A useful parameter to characterize such systems is the fractal dimension. We provide both qualitative and more formal definitions of the dimension and show how it can be evaluated from experimental data. We also show how a time series can be turned into a geometric object. The topological properties of this object, including the dimension can then be determined. If the dimension is low, then seemingly „random“ noise is actually „chaos“ produced by a deterministic non-linear system.
Neurobiology of Memory and Sleep

There are three major sub-processes in memory production – encoding, consolidation, and retrieval. While encoding and retrieval occur frequently during wakefulness, sleep likely plays a major role in consolidation, the process by which newly acquired (and generally labile) memories encoded during wakefulness are reprocessed and converted into a more stable form and then integrated into preexisting memory networks (long-term storage). This process depends on two types of consolidation mechanisms; the first is referred to as “synaptic consolidation” which leads to remodeling and more effective synapses, and the second is “system consolidation,” which redistributes newly encoded representations to other neuronal circuitries for long-term storage. Long-term memory is divided into two main types: declarative and non-declarative. Declarative memories require the involvement of medial temporal regions, specifically the hippocampus, with episodic memories rooted in temporal regions. Non-declarative memories, such as perceptual skills, originate from sensory cortices and procedural memories from the cerebellum, striatum, and motor areas. Slow wave sleep, sleep spindles, and REM sleep appear to be the three main neurophysiological counterparts of the memory consolidation processes taking place during sleep.
Prospects of Spatial Synthesis in Computational Social Science and Humanities: Towards a Spatial Synthetics and Synthetic Geography

I hope you have enjoyed reading this edited volume co-edited by Professors Hui Lin and Xinyue Ye. All the chapters throughout this volume have provided new and intriguing examples in a variety of social science and humanity disciplines about why we need spatial synthesis and how spatial synthesis can be accomplished using data from different sources under a plethora of conceptual and theoretical frameworks via an artful mix of both quantitative and qualitative approaches.
Quantification of Smoking Characteristics Using Smartwatch Technology: Pilot Feasibility Study of New Technology.

Background: While there have been many technological advances in studying the neurobiological and clinical basis of tobacco use disorder and nicotine addiction, there have been relatively minor advances in technologies for monitoring, characterizing, and intervening to prevent smoking in real time. Better understanding of real-time smoking behavior can be helpful in numerous applications without the burden and recall bias associated with self-report. Objective: The goal of this study was to test the validity of using a smartwatch to advance the study of temporal patterns and characteristics of smoking in a controlled laboratory setting prior to its implementation in situ. Specifically, the aim was to compare smoking characteristics recorded by Automated Smoking PerceptIon and REcording (ASPIRE) on a smartwatch with the pocket Clinical Research Support System (CReSS) topography device, using video observation as the gold standard. Methods: Adult smokers (N=27) engaged in a video-recorded laboratory smoking task using the pocket CReSS while also wearing a Polar M600 smartwatch. In-house software, ASPIRE, was used to record accelerometer data to identify the duration of puffs and interpuff intervals (IPIs). The recorded sessions from CReSS and ASPIRE were manually annotated to assess smoking topography. Agreement between CReSS-recorded and ASPIRE-recorded smoking behavior was compared. Results: ASPIRE produced more consistent number of puffs and IPI durations relative to CReSS, when comparing both methods to visual puff count. In addition, CReSS recordings reported many implausible measurements in the order of milliseconds. After filtering implausible data recorded from CReSS, ASPIRE and CReSS produced consistent results for puff duration (R2=.79) and IPIs (R2=.73). Conclusions: Agreement between ASPIRE and other indicators of smoking characteristics was high, suggesting that the use of ASPIRE is a viable method of passively characterizing smoking behavior. Moreover, ASPIRE was more accurate than CReSS for measuring puffs and IPIs. Results from this study provide the foundation for future utilization of ASPIRE to passively and accurately monitor and quantify smoking behavior in situ.
Core Competencies for Construction Project Management: Literature Review and Content Analysis

AbstractAlthough the construction industry is a major player in the global economy, it is dealing with problems such as declining productivity, workplace safety, and work disputes. The human elemen...
Actor-only Deterministic Policy Gradient via Zeroth-order Gradient Oracles in Action Space

Deterministic policies demonstrate substantial empirical success over their stochastic counterparts as they remove a level of randomness in Policy Gradient (PG) methods when applied to stochastic search problems involving Markov decision processes. However, current implementations require the use of state-action value ( $Q$ -function) approximators, also known as critics, to obtain estimates of the associated policy-reward gradient. In this work, we propose the use of two-point stochastic evaluations to obtain gradient estimates of a smoothed $Q$ -function surrogate, constructed by evaluating pairs of the $Q$ -function at low-dimensional, randomized initial action perturbations. This procedure lifts the dependence on a critic and restores true model-free policy learning, and with provable algorithmic stability. In fact, our finite complexity bounds improve upon existing results by up to 2 orders of magnitude in terms of iteration complexity, and by up to 3/2 orders of magnitude in terms of sample complexity. Simulation results on an agent navigation problem showcase the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm in a practical setting, as well.
ToneWars: Connecting Language Learners and Native Speakers through Collaborative Mobile Games

In this paper, we present ToneWars, a collaborative mobile game for learning Chinese as a Second Language (CSL). ToneWars provides a learning experience that combines mastery learning, microlearning, and group-based interaction between CSL learners and native speakers. The game explores how unique input modalities, like touch gestures and speech recognition, can improve language acquisition tasks on mobile devices. We report the design motivations and lessons learned through the iterative design process. We believe many insights from developing ToneWars are generalizable to designing productive language learning technology. Through a 24-participant (12 CSL and native speaker pairs) user study, we found ToneWars provides learning benefits for second-language learners and engages native speakers.
Effect of Unilateral Third-Party Interventions on Durability of Civil Peace Agreements: Facilitators or Spoilers of Post-Settlement Peace?

Third-party interventions play a fundamental role in every stage of the civil conflict process and vast amount of research has been devoted to how interventions affect these various stages. Some studies perceive third-party interveners as custodians of post-settlement civil peace (Walter 2002). Yet, we also have ample evidence that unilateral third-party interveners’ seek to shape war outcomes in their own interests, with negative consequences for peace (Regan 2002). Which of these perspectives correctly capture the potential effect of biased third-party intervention on post-settlement peace? Third-parties are motivated by self-interest when they intervene in civil conflict. Therefore, I argue that, rather than asking whether biased third-party interveners get involved to guarantee or tear down post-settlement peace; the question we should be asking is, when is it in interveners’ interest to nurture and implement the peace agreement and when is it in their interest to spoil it? Depending on how satisfied the third-party intervener and the signatory are with the policy outcomes of settlement, the intervention leads to facilitation or blocking of settlement implementation. Using a survey of indicators including geographical, historical, and ideological proximity of interveners to the side they support as well as number of interveners, I examine the durability of every peace agreement signed between years 1980 and 2008. Empirical findings using Cox proportional hazards model point at the complex and varying influence of interventions on the durability of peace agreements.
Attenuation of hippocampal long-term potentiation by ethanol: a patch- clamp analysis of glutamatergic and GABAergic mechanisms

Long-term potentiation of synpatic transmission (LTP) of the perforant path--dentate gyrus synapse is induced by 5 Hz, theta-like stimulation patterns. Such stimuli induce plasticity that is most likely driven by a decrease in synaptic inhibition (disinhibition) mediated by GABAB autoreceptors. In the present study, we demonstrate that LTP induced in this manner is completely antagonized by ethanol. In order to determine the site of ethanol inhibition of LTP induced by theta-like stimulation, we combined slice patch recordings with pharmacologic isolation of the individual glutamatergic and GABAergic synaptic currents. The present experiments revealed that ethanol inhibited NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic currents without potentiation of GABAA currents or attenuation of GABAB-mediated fading of GABAA synaptic currents. These observations with ethanol contrasted with the actions of the water-soluble benzodiazepine midazolam, which strongly potentiated GABAA synaptic currents, reversed the effect of GABAB-mediated fading of GABAA synaptic currents, and therefore blocked the resulting NMDA synaptic currents. These data indicate that the effects of ethanol on long-term changes in synaptic strength in the rat hippocampal formation are due primarily to an action at the NMDA receptor-channel complex.
Conditions for an in vitro culture of murine mixed hematopoietic colonies and their putative cellular origin

The supernatant fluid of stimulated spleen cells (PHA-SCM) supported in vitro colony growth of murine marrow. In the absence of exogenous erythropoietin, it stimulated the growth of (1) myeloid colonies and (2) distinct mixed colonies containing erythroid cells, granulocytes, macrophages, and infrequently megakaryocytes in a setting structurally resembling biopsied marrow. The cells that form mixed colonies reside in a density range of 1.058–1.068 g/ml in a discontinuous albumin gradient. Active supernatant was produced by T cells in combination with a macrophage factor. DNA synthesis correlated with activity. PHA- SCM differed from erythropoietin (EPO) when chromatographed on lectin columns and did not contain EPO activity as demonstrated by the fetal mouse liver cell (FMLC) assay. The activity for mixed colony growth could be eluted from an anion exchange column with 0.07 M NaCl and eluted in a gel filtration column at a distance corresponding to a molecular weight of 39,000. Mixed colony-forming cells responsive to PHA-SCM were found to be Ia-H-2+. BFU-Es, CFU-Cs, and progenitors for myeloid colonies responsive to PHA-SCM were also H-2+ but showed significant sensitivity to anti-Ia antisera reflecting variable antigenic density. The mixed colony-forming cell appeared less differentiated than myeloid or erythroid progenitor cells examined, and its antigenic determinants are consistent with those observed for the pluripotent stem cell assayed in vivo (CFU-S).