cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial Dynamics Decrease Prior to Axon Degeneration Induced by Vincristine and are Partially Rescued by Overexpressed cytNmnat1.

Axon degeneration is a prominent feature of various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and is often characterized by aberrant mitochondrial dynamics. Mitochondrial fission, fusion, and motility have been shown to be particularly important in progressive neurodegeneration. Thus we investigated these imperative dynamics, as well as mitochondrial fragmentation in vincristine induced axon degradation in cultured DRG neurons. CytNmnat1 inhibits axon degeneration in various paradigms including vincristine toxicity. The mechanism of its protection is not yet fully understood; therefore, we also investigated the effect of cytNmnat1 on mitochondrial dynamics in vincristine treated neurons. We observed that vincristine treatment decreases the rate of mitochondrial fission, fusion and motility and induces mitochondrial fragmentation. These mitochondrial events precede visible axon degeneration. Overexpression of cytNmnat1 inhibits axon degeneration and preserves the normal mitochondrial dynamics and motility in vincristine treated neurons. We suggest the alterations in mitochondrial structure and dynamics are early events which lead to axon degeneration and cytNmnat1 blocks axon degeneration by halting the vincristine induced changes to mitochondrial structure and dynamics.
Abstract 5255: Lack of chemopreventive effects of dietary P2×7R inhibitors against pancreatic cancer in p48Cre/+-LSL-KrasG12D/+ mice

Pancreatic cancer (PC) still remains a devastating disease that is almost uniformly lethal. Despite advances in the field of molecular genetics in human pancreatic cancers, targeted therapies has not yet translated to an improved overall survival for patients. Chronic inflammation is hallmark of many cancers, including PC. P2×7R is the most potent of the membrane receptors responsible for inflammasome activation and release of inflammatory cytokines. Sustained stimulation of P2×7R drives induction of NLRP inflammasome activation. To understand the role of P2×7 receptor and inflammasome in pancreatic tumor progression, we carried transcriptomic analysis of LSL-Kras pancreatic tumors by next generation sequencing. Results showed that the P2×7 receptor (∼20-fold); key inflammasome components, IL-1β (∼45-fold), caspase-1 (15-fold), IL-18 (∼35-fold), IL-33 (∼93 folds), TNF-α (∼13-fold) and COX-2 (∼41-fold) are highly expressed (p Citation Format: Altaf Mohammed, Naveena B. Janakiram, Venkateshwar Madka, Gopal Pathuri, Qian Li, Rebekah Ritchie, Laura Biddick, Hannah Kutsche, Yuting Zhang, Anil Singh, Hariprasad Gali, Stan Lightfoot, Vernon E. Steele, Chen S. Suen, Chinthalapally V. Rao. Lack of chemopreventive effects of dietary P2×7R inhibitors against pancreatic cancer in p48Cre/+-LSL-KrasG12D/+ mice. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 5255.
A Comparison of Scientists' Arguments and School Argumentation Tasks

This study sought to investigate the arguments that ecologists engage in as part of their work and to compare their arguments with the way in which ecological arguments have been presented in school argumentation tasks. Ten ecologists, in subfields ranging from individual/behavioral ecology to global ecology, participated in semistructured interviews. Transcripts were coded using a framework for analyzing arguments as well as open coding to identify emergent themes. Ecologists’ descriptions of their arguments were compared with a set of published school argumentation tasks. Ecologists’ descriptions differed from school tasks mainly in terms of the types of claims offered. Whereas the ecologists all mentioned causal claims (i.e., claims that attempt to offer an underlying cause for natural phenomena), school argumentation tasks asked students to construct and critique mainly descriptive claims (i.e., claims that describe natural phenomena) and prescriptive claims (i.e., claims about human decision making). Furthermore, while ecologists emphasized the importance of critique in their arguments, school argumentation tasks generally ignored this aspect. The lack of materials addressing causal claims raises questions: Why are these types of claims absent from school science, and how can we design tasks that ask students to construct and, importantly, critique such claims?
Text and the Sensorium: The Augmented Palimpsest as an Augmented Reality Text

Recent AR-enhanced publications, such as the IKEA Catalogue, The Art of Journey, and ColAR coloring pages and app for children that bring drawings to 3D life, are becoming much more common and raise intriguing questions about the application of AR for the arts and humanities and, more specifically, the reading experience. This chapter will explore these implications, using our project, The Augmented Palimpsest, as the case study. The project is a digital humanities tool that explores how the medium of AR can be applied to teach medieval literature effectively. Using Chaucer’s General Prologue, the tool delivers digital enhancements that emerge from the printed page via a smart device. We are creating simple print pages with highly detailed manuscript borders set around the text of Chaucer poem. As such, each page has the appearance of a medieval manuscript folio with a border that will, in fact, be coded with a variety of digital enhancements, including but not limited to audio, video, and graphical materials; and 3D models of figures, architecture, and objects. The student opens the appropriate AR application or “app” on a smart device, such as an iPhone, iPad, or Android tablet or phone, and then holds that device over individual fiducials embedded in the border to access the various enhancements coded to each fiducial.
A longitudinal mixed-methods study of IPE students' perceptions of health profession groups: Revisiting the Contact Hypothesis

Abstract Background/Purpose Despite the increasing momentum and integration of interprofessional education (IPE) programs into various health professions curriculum, the findings of previous research are mixed regarding the impact these programs have on dismantling or even stifling students' stereotypes of health professions. Of those studies that find "positive" shifts in students' perceptions, elements of the Contact Hypothesis are frequently employed to support these apparent shifts. However, there is minimal attention paid to how intergroup contact within IPE programs may actually impact students' stereotypes. This study examines if students' attitudes towards health professions shifted following participation in a two-year IPE program. Furthermore, utilizing the tenets of the Contact Hypothesis as well as prominent models regarding cognitive representations of group membership, this study explores how contact within the IPE program may have impacted students' perceptions and attitudes. Methods To examine if students' attitudes shifted, 528 students from 6 different health profession training programs completed the Student Stereotypes Rating Questionnaire (SSRQ) assessing their perceptions/stereotypes of their own and other health professions at the beginning and end of the two-year IPE program. To further explore students' experiences and the nature of "contact" within the IPE program, interviewers were conducted with 20 students. Results Students' attitudes of health professions did positively shift (i.e., stereotypes significantly decreased), and from the students' perspective, as was evident in the interview data, the more informal aspects of the IPE program provided worthwhile opportunities to learn about students from other disciplines and other health professions. Conclusion The findings lend support for the Contact Hypothesis and the authors suggest that opportunities for students to informally interact and socialize may have significant positive impact on students' perceptions and knowledge of other health disciplines and professions, and that models of cognitive representation that emphasize more personalization may also be effective tools in examining how intergroup contact within IPE affects students' stereotypes.
Use of Physician-in-Triage Model in the Management of Abdominal Pain in an Emergency Department Observation Unit.

Introduction With a nationwide increase in Emergency Department (ED) visits it is of paramount importance for hospitals to find efficient ways to manage patient flow. The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is a significant difference in hospital admission rates, length of stay (LOS), and other demographic factors in two cohorts of patients admitted directly to an emergency department observation unit (EDOU) under an abdominal pain protocol by a physician-in-triage (bypassing the main ED) versus those admitted via the traditional pathway (evaluated and treated in the main ED prior to EDOU admission). Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to a protocol driven EDOU with a diagnosis of abdominal pain in a single university hospital center ED. Compiled data was obtained for all patients admitted to the EDOU with a diagnosis of abdominal pain that met EDOU protocol admission criteria. Data for each cohort was then divided into age, gender, payer status, and LOS. This data was then analyzed to assess any significant differences between the cohorts. Results There were 327 total patients eligible for this study (85 physician-in-triage group, 242 traditional ED group). The total success rate (defined as discharge home) was 90.8% (n=297) and failure rate (defined as admission or transfer) was 9.2% (n= 30). There were no significant differences observed in success rates between those dispositioned to the EDOU by physicians-in-triage (90.6%) versus via the traditional route (90.5 % p) = 0.98. There was also a significant difference found between the two groups regarding total LOS with significantly shorter main ED times and EDOU times amongst patients sent to the EDOU by the physician-in- triage group (p<.001). Conclusion There were no significant differences in EDOU disposition outcomes in patients admitted to an EDOU by a physician-in-triage or via the traditional route. Also, there were statistically significant shorter LOSs in patients admitted to the EDOU by triage physicians. The data from this study supports the implementation of a physician-in-triage model in combination with the EDOU in improving efficiency in the treatment of abdominal pain. This knowledge may act to cut healthcare costs, and improve patient flow and timely decision making in hospitals with EDOUs.
Therapy First, Not the Patient?

This did not go well. We met Mr. Quincy in his cramped hospital room where he lay curled underneath musty wasabi green blankets. His daughter and her husband were already there. So was the cardiolo...
From "rest" to language task: Task activation selects and prunes from broader resting-state network

Resting-state networks (RSNs) show spatial patterns generally consistent with networks revealed during cognitive tasks. However, the exact degree of overlap between these networks has not been clearly quantified. Such an investigation shows promise for decoding altered functional connectivity (FC) related to abnormal language functioning in clinical populations such as temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). In this context, we investigated the network configurations during a language task and during resting state using FC. Twenty-four healthy controls, 24 right and 24 left TLE patients completed a verb generation (VG) task and a resting-state fMRI scan. We compared the language network revealed by the VG task with three FC-based networks (seeding the left inferior frontal cortex (IFC)/Broca): two from the task (ON, OFF blocks) and one from the resting state. We found that, for both left TLE patients and controls, the RSN recruited regions bilaterally, whereas both VG-on and VG-off conditions produced more left-lateralized FC networks, matching more closely with the activated language network. TLE brings with it variability in both task-dependent and task-independent networks, reflective of atypical language organization. Overall, our findings suggest that our RSN captured bilateral activity, reflecting a set of prepotent language regions. We propose that this relationship can be best understood by the notion of pruning or winnowing down of the larger language-ready RSN to carry out specific task demands. Our data suggest that multiple types of network analyses may be needed to decode the association between language deficits and the underlying functional mechanisms altered by disease. Hum Brain Mapp 38:2540-2552, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Torsional fatigue behavior of wrought and additive manufactured Ti-6Al-4V by powder bed fusion including surface finish effect

Abstract Additive manufacturing (AM) is a state of the art technology enabling fabrication of complex geometries, in addition to providing other advantages as compared to the traditional subtractive manufacturing methods. Powder bed fusion (PBF) is one of the most commonly used metal AM processes that uses laser to melt particles on the bed of metallic powder. Ti-6Al-4V is a common alloy made by this process and has applications in many industries, in particular aerospace and medical industries. Understanding mechanical performance of the additively manufactured materials and components for critical load bearing applications is still in early stages. As such components are typically subjected to cyclic loading, fatigue failure is a major consideration in their design. In addition, due to the multiaxial nature of the loading and/or complex geometries manufactured by AM, the state of stress often includes both normal and shear stresses. However, all the studies so far on fatigue behavior of additive manufactured metals have only considered axial loading, resulting in normal stresses. This study is on torsional fatigue behavior producing shear stresses and, therefore, addresses a major gap in understanding the mechanical behavior of additive manufactured metals in general and for PBF Ti-6Al-4V alloy in particular. In this study, thin-walled tubular specimens made of both wrought and AM Ti-6Al-4V were subjected to monotonic as well as cyclic torsional loads to study and compare their shear deformation and fatigue behaviors. Failure mechanisms in different life regimes and the effects of heat treatment and surface finish were also evaluated.
Transient EPR of Spin-Labeled Proteins

A central goal in modern molecular biophysics is to understand the physical mechanisms of protein function. This problem is often stated as an issue of structure and function, but static structural information, from electron microscopy or X-ray diffraction, has consistently proven to be insufficient for the understanding of enzyme or receptor mechanisms. This should not be surprising, since each of these mechanisms involves a dynamic sequence of structural changes. In order to elucidate these essential molecular motions, direct measurements of chemical and structural dynamics are required.
Polyp characterization at colonoscopy: Clinical implications.

Abstract Although advancements in endoscopic imaging of colorectal mucosa have outstripped the pace of research in the field, the potential clinical applications of these novel technologies are promising. Chief among these is the ability to diagnose colorectal polyps in vivo. This feature appears most applicable to diminuitive polyps, which have very little malignant potential yet represent over 70% of resected polyps. In an ideal application, the capability to predict diminutive hyperplastic polyp histology in vivo precludes the need for excision whereas dimunitive adenomas do require excision, but not necessarily histopathologic analysis if the diagnosis is made in vivo with adequate confidence. However, the vast array of new advanced imaging modalities and polyp classification tools have been difficult to reconcile. We aim to highlight the current status of real-time colorectal polyp diagnosis and identify the barriers that remain to its widespread implementation.
Positron Emission Tomography Studies of Intelligence: From Psychometrics to Neurobiology*

Publisher Summary This chapter treats g in the light of positron emission tomography (PET). Results from a study using this technique are used to measure on line glucose uptake while subjects solve problems in a Raven test. The chapter addresses a preliminary question—where in the brain is intelligence. Based on this understanding, informative PET images of the active parts of the brain are produced in terms of glucose metabolism, taken as a proxy for neural firing. The result shows that the harder a brain area works, the lower the glucose metabolism. Further, it is tested whether training lowers brain activity, and it is concluded that subjects learn which brain areas not to use, resulting in lower glucose uptake. Results also show that the brightest subjects become the most brain efficient with learning. Additionally, investigations involve the use of Jensen's correlated vector method and sophisticated research designs. A PET study of mental retardation examines whether retardation relates to higher than normal glucose uptake. The chapter then presents a catalogue of likely future studies, some of which focus on individual differences and some on consciousness The chapter concludes with a discussion of the important transition of intelligence research from its psychometric origins to the next level of neuroscience exploration and explanation.
Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy vs Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy: Patient-Reported Outcomes at a Single Institution.

Background Although laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) has been the standard of care for achalasia, per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has gained popularity as a viable alternative. This retrospective study aimed to compare patient-reported outcomes between LHM and POEM in a consecutive series of achalasia patients with more than 1 year of follow-up. Study design We reviewed demographic and procedure-related data for patients who underwent either LHM or POEM for achalasia between January 2011 and May 2016. Phone interviews were conducted assessing post-procedure achalasia symptoms via the Eckardt score and achalasia severity questionnaire (ASQ). Demographics, disease factors, and survey results were compared between LHM and POEM patients using univariate analysis. Significant predictors of procedure failure were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Results There were no serious complications in 110 consecutive patients who underwent LHM or POEM during the study period, and 96 (87%) patients completed phone surveys. There was a nonsignificant trend toward better patient-reported outcomes with POEM. There were significant differences in patient characteristics including sex, achalasia type, mean residual lower esophageal pressure (rLESP), and follow-up time. The only univariate predictors of an unsatisfactory Eckardt score or ASQ were longer follow-up and lower rLESP, with follow-up length being the only predictor on multivariate analysis. Conclusions There were significant demographic and clinical differences in patient selection for POEM vs LHM in our group. Although the 2 procedures have similar patient-reported effectiveness, subjective outcomes seem to decline as a result of time rather than procedure type.
Nephrotoxicity Associated With Concomitant ACE Inhibitor and NSAID Therapy

Angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be nephrotoxic and may synergistically compromise renal function. A computer-assisted study was done to asses the prevalence of compromised renal function and the clinical importance of this drug interaction. A search of the records of all patients seen in the University of Nebraska Medical Center Internal Medicine Clinic was conducted to identify cases involving renal insufficiency, therapy with ACE inhibitors, or therapy with NSAIDs. Records of cases meeting these criteria were reviewed for clinical correlation and revealed 2278 patients treated with NSAIDs, 328 with ACE inhibitors, and 162 with both. No nephrotoxicity was found in conjunction with monotherapy, but three cases of reversible renal failure were found in conjunction with combination therapy. Significant nephrotoxicity during the concomitant use of ACE inhibitors and NSAIDs is not uncommon, and attention should be drawn to this potentially important interaction.
SELECTIONIST THOUGHT AND METHODOLOGICAL ORTHODOXY IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE

Selectionist theory in psychology conceptualizes behavior as a dynamic phenomenon subject to a variation and selection process similar to that characterizing biological evolution. Though not formally recognized as a dominant psychological metatheory, selectionist thought can be identified in the writings of many of the discipline’s eminent scholars. Although selectionism may possess considerable promise as a unifying theory, its widespread acceptance has likely been impeded by the large sample, null hypothesis testing research deSigns associated with the Fisherian tradition.
Medical Management and Complications Following TAVR

Immediate postoperative management of TAVR patients includes early ambulation, medical therapies, planning for early discharge, and monitoring of common and uncommon complications. Taken together, these actions allow for a smooth transition post-TAVR procedure.
Moving averages for periodic delay differential and difference equations

In this chapter we consider the averaging of periodic delay differential and delay difference equations using the method of moving averages. Specifically, we prove formal averaging theorems for both types of systems. This work is based in part on fundamental work in the averaging of delay systems performed in the 1960's by Halanay[11, 12], Hale[13], and Medvedev[23]. The analysis and theorems presented here differ from the earlier works in that our analysis gives greater importance to the delay terms which appear in the averaged system. To illustrate our results, we consider two simple examples of delay systems with periodic excitation — a cart and pendulum stabilization problem in the presence of periodic disturbances and feedback delays, and the adpative identification of chemical concentrations in a pipe mixing problem.
ENUMERATION OF LONELY PAIRS OF GENE TREES AND SPECIES TREES BY MEANS OF ANTIPODAL CHERRIES.

Abstract In mathematical phylogenetics, given a rooted binary leaf-labeled gene tree topology G and a rooted binary leaf-labeled species tree topology S with the same leaf labels, a coalescent history represents a possible mapping of the list of gene tree coalescences to the associated branches of the species tree on which those coalescences take place. For certain families of ordered pairs ( G , S ) , the number of coalescent histories increases exponentially or even faster than exponentially with the number of leaves n. Other pairs have only a single coalescent history. We term a pair ( G , S ) lonely if it has only one coalescent history. Here, we characterize the set of all lonely pairs ( G , S ) . Further, we characterize the set of pairs of rooted binary unlabeled tree shapes at least one of the labelings of which is lonely. We provide formulas for counting lonely pairs and pairs of unlabeled tree shapes with at least one lonely labeling. The lonely pairs provide a set of examples of pairs ( G , S ) for which the number of compact coalescent histories—which condense coalescent histories into a set of equivalence classes—is equal to the number of coalescent histories. Application of the condition that characterizes lonely pairs can also be used to reduce computation time for the enumeration of coalescent histories.
Observed Differential Validity: Not Much More than Range Restriction

The concept of differential validity suggests that cognitive ability tests are associated with varying levels of validity across ethnic groups, such that certain sub-groups are associated with lowe...
α4βδ GABAA Receptors Trigger Synaptic Pruning and Reduce Dendritic Length of Female Mouse CA3 Hippocampal Pyramidal Cells at Puberty.

Abstract Synaptic pruning during adolescence is critical for optimal cognition. The CA3 hippocampus contains unique spine types and plays a pivotal role in pattern separation and seizure generation, where sex differences exist, but adolescent pruning has only been studied in the male. Thus, for the present study we assessed pruning of specific spine types in the CA3 hippocampus during adolescence and investigated a possible mechanism in the female mouse. To this end, we used Golgi-impregnated brains from pubertal (∼PND 35, assessed by vaginal opening) and post-pubertal (PND 56) mice. Spine density was assessed from z-stack (0.1-μm steps) images taken using a Nikon DS-U3 camera through a Nikon Eclipse Ci-L microscope and analyzed with NIS Elements. Spine density decreased significantly (P
Teachers’ Practices and Students’ Preferences of Grammar-centered Written Corrective Feedback in Iran

This study explored teachers’ practices and students’ preferences regarding grammar-centered written corrective feedback (WCF) in an Iranian EFL context. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 14 teachers and 15 students, teaching and taking English at different proficiency levels. The data analysis identified three thematic categories in the interview responses: error correctors, amount of WCF, and WCF methods. The findings showed that the teachers mostly provided teacher-generated grammar feedback since they believed that their students preferred this type of correction. Additionally, the students preferred teacher-generated feedback. Also, the teachers mostly gave comprehensive feedback on the grammatical errors, because they thought comprehensive correction was perceived positively by their students. This, similarly, was preferred by the students. Moreover, the teachers stated that their students liked direct grammar feedback; the students also reported their preference for direct WCF. Overall, the teachers were aware of their students’ preferences, so they provided the kind of feedback their students were most likely to effectively engage with.
Regulation of Supplements and the Consumer Decision Making Process

Consumers make a variety of purchase decisions. They may rely on information from marketers to make those decisions. When the legal environment is such that marketers are able to make broad claims about product efficacy without being subject to a high level of government scrutiny, the quality of the consumer decision making process may suffer. This paper explores how regulation of supplements impacts the consumer purchase decision making process.
Market Risk and Market-Implied Inflation Expectations

Abstract We examine interactions between market risk and market-implied inflation expectations. We argue that these interactions are asymmetric and varied in time. Specifically, market risk becomes elevated by expectations of either very low or high expected inflation. Market risk does not react to expectations of moderate, stable inflation. In our analysis, market risk is proxied by VIX and market-implied inflation expectations are reflected by five- and ten-year breakeven inflation. We use daily data for 5 and 10 year breakeven inflation and VIX for the sample period January 3, 2003–January 24, 2019 for empirical testing. We employ asymptotic VAR, multiple breakpoint regression and Markov switching tests to examine changeable patterns in these interactions. Our tests indicate prevalence of responses of expected low inflation or deflation to higher market risk, mainly for the 5-year breakeven inflation series. These responses are particularly significant during the run-up and aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.
Challenges of Post-Disaster Recovery in Rural Areas

While there has been significant research into disaster loss and recovery at the urban level, only limited research has been conducted to understand the impacts of disaster from flooding on rural communities. As instances of extreme weather become more common and the federal response to disaster remains fragmented, local communities increasingly bear the burden of coordinating disaster recovery and planning for resilience to future events with few resources. This chapter focuses on the unique impacts from disaster experienced by rural and agricultural communities. To better understand the need for more robust rural-focused disaster research, this chapter includes a summary of current literature centered on rural disaster impacts and rural-led recovery planning. A case study of the flooding events in Northern Louisiana in March 2016 is included to highlight the unique challenges of response and resilience planning that rural communities face in the absence of reliable funding streams and inequitable access to recovery resources. Through a review of literature and the Louisiana case study, this chapter considers the benefits the building upon rural social capital, integrating peer-to-peer interactions, and building local response capacity can have when built into post-disaster recovery programming and resilience planning for rural communities short on capacity and resources.
Phase II Evaluation of Sunitinib Malate, a Multi-Targeted Inhibitor of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases, in Patients with Myelofibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Sunitinib Malate is a small molecule inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinases (TK) with a broad spectrum of activity against VEGFR-1, -2, and -3, PDGFR-α and -β, c-kit, the TK encoded by the ret oncogene, and Flt-3. As TK-mediated angiogenesis may be an integral element in the pathogenesis and progression of myelofibrosis (MF), we investigated the use of sunitinib in MF patients. METHODS: 14 patients (pt) have been treated with sunitinib 37.5mg orally daily in six-week cycles, with response assessment after 2 and 4 cycles. Median baseline characteristics (range): age 65 years (50–79); 2 previous therapies (0–4); B-symptoms 64%; Hb < 8g/dL or transfusion-dependent 50%; JAK-2 mutated 57%. RESULTS: Pt received sunitinib for a median of 101 days (23–173). Six stopped study drug prior to the planned four cycles because of toxicity (5) or disease progression (1); four stopped at four cycles because of toxicity (1) or lack of response (3); one stopped at five cycles because of lack of response; and three patients still on therapy had shown no responses at 3, 3 and 5 cycles. No responses were observed. One patient had 50% reduction in splenomegaly but became transfusion-dependent, and was considered a non-response. Grade 1 or 2 hypertension developed in 7 (50%) patients and was more common in patients with a pre-existing history of hypertension (5/7) than patients without a history of hypertension (2/7); in six patients, hypertension led to interruption and/or dose reduction in study medication. Common toxicities were constitutional (fatigue 86%, Grade 3=21%), gastrointestinal (abdominal pain, nausea or diarrhea 79%, Grade 3=14%) or neurologic (pain or numbness in extremity 43%, Grade 3=0%). Grade 3 bleeding (1 epistaxis, 1 upper GI) occurred in 2 patients, and grade 3 optic disc edema in 1. Toxicities were cumulative and dose-related, with dose reductions being required in 7/10 patients who continued beyond 2 cycles. CONCLUSIONS: At the first planned interim analysis, no responses were recorded in 14 patients treated with sunitinib. This fulfiled the early stopping rule in the Gehan two-stage study design, and the study has been closed to new patient accrual because of inadequate response.
Interestingness Measures for Actionable Patterns

The ability to make mined patterns actionable is becoming increasingly important in today’s competitive world. Standard data mining focuses on patterns that summarize data and these patterns are required to be further processed in order to determine opportunities for action. To address this problem, it is essential to extract patterns by comparing the profiles of two sets of relevant objects to obtain useful, understandable, and workable strategies. In this paper, we present the definition of actionable rules by integrating action rules and reclassification rules to build a framework for analyzing big data. In addition, three new interestingness measures, coverage, leverage, and lift, are proposed to address the limitations of minimum left support, right support and confidence thresholds for gauging the importance of discovered actionable rules.
7.3 – Glomerular Filtration

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the elementary processes found in nephron and glomerular filtration. The first step in the formation of urine is the formation of an ultrafiltrate of plasma by the renal corpuscle. Ultrafiltration, reabsorption, and secretion constitute the three elementary functions of the nephron. Glomerular filtration is the first step in the formation of urine. The glomerular filtration rate can be estimated from the inulin clearance, because inulin is neither secreted nor reabsorbed by the nephron. The effective renal plasma flow can be estimated from the clearance of para amino hippuric acid, because it is avidly secreted by the nephrons. The rapid filtration of large volumes of fluid is accomplished by the specialized structures of the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule. The filtration barrier consists of the capillary endothelial cell, basement membrane, and podocytes of Bowman's capsule. The endothelial cells are highly fenestrated. These openings increase the area available for filtration but retain the cellular elements of blood. It is found that the basement membrane restricts filtration of larger molecular weight proteins.
Examining K–12 teacher learning in a makerspace through the activity–identity–community framework

Despite growing interest in the educational benefits of integrating making into formal educational contexts, few studies have examined professional development (PD) models for assisting K–12 teache...
Role of IgM and IgA Antibodies in the Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 has infected millions of people globally. Virus infection requires the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein. Although studies have demonstrated anti-spike and -RBD antibodies to be protective in animal models, and convalescent plasma as a promising therapeutic option, little is known about immunoglobulin (Ig) isotypes capable of blocking infection. METHODS: We studied spike- and RBD-specific Ig isotypes in convalescent and acute plasma/sera using a multiplex bead assay. We also determined virus neutralization activities in plasma, sera, and purified Ig fractions using a VSV pseudovirus assay. RESULTS: Spike- and RBD-specific IgM, IgG1, and IgA1 were produced by all or nearly all subjects at variable levels and detected early after infection. All samples displayed neutralizing activity. Regression analyses revealed that IgM and IgG1 contributed most to neutralization, consistent with IgM and IgG fractions' neutralization potency. IgA also exhibited neutralizing activity, but with lower potency. CONCLUSION: IgG, IgM and IgA are critical components of convalescent plasma used for COVID-19 treatment.
“Why Do We Do Physics? Because Physics Is Fun!”

In this informal memoir, the author describes his passage through a golden age of elementary particle physics. It includes not only his career trajectory as a theoretical physicist but also his exc...
How CS1 Students Experienced COVID-19 In the Moment: Using An Experience Sampling Approach to Understand the Transition to Emergency Remote Instruction

While computer science (CS) education researchers have frequently examined what happens in courses, programs of study, or occupations in general, they have less frequently addressed finer-grained experiences that spark students' interest in CS. One excellent way to study these types of student experiences is the Experience Sampling Method (ESM). ESM involves collecting data on individuals' experiences at much more frequent intervals than traditional survey research. This aspect of ESM makes it well-suited to examine time-specific aspects of students' experiences, as well as changes due to the disruptive effects of COVID-19.
Tumor in vein (LR-TIV) and liver imaging reporting and data system (LI-RADS) v2018: diagnostic features, pitfalls, prognostic and management implications

Vascular invasion by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), also known as tumor in vein (TIV), indicates highly invasive tumor behavior and is also associated with poor outcome. Because a diagnosis of TIV precludes liver transplantation, knowledge of the imaging findings to differentiate between TIV and bland thrombus is key for proper patient management. Prior versions of liver imaging reporting and data system (LI-RADS) included presence of TIV as part of LR-5 criteria. However, even if HCC is the most common liver malignancy associated with TIV, other tumors can have vascular invasion and may occur in cirrhotic patients. For these reasons, in LI-RADS v2017 LR-TIV has been introduced as a new different diagnostic category. The aim of this article is to discuss the diagnostic criteria of LR-TIV according to LI-RADS v2018 and analyze potential pitfalls encountered on daily clinical practice. Indeterminate cases and how to manage them will also be discussed.
The Role of Polyamines in the Growth and Transformation of the African Trypanosome

The transformation from bloodstream to procyclic trypomastigote is a crucial step in the life cycle of the African trypanosome. The alteration in cellular architecture is accompanied by biochemical changes which permit survival of the bloodstream form trypanosome in the midgut of the insect vector. While a specific inducer of transformation has not yet been identified, recent studies have implicated the polyamines as having some role to play in this process.
Electrochemical Generation of Pollutant Standards

Six common ambient air pollutant species (ozone, nitric oxide, chlorine, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide) have been electrolytically generated at the parts-per-billion to parts-per-million level in ascrubbed ambient air carrier. Theoretical background and practical aspects of this technique are discussed, and the difference in pollutant output to that expected theoretically is reviewed. Under the conditions of the work reported, the desired theoretical output was not achieved. As a result, this technique does not appear feasible as a primary technique for the production of these species. However, the approach may serve as a convenient, low-cost means to produce secondary or working standards for the calibration of ambient level air pollution analyzers.
Medical Gross Anatomy: Interdisciplinary Efforts to Increase Active Learning through Collection and Histological Assessment of Biopsies

Objective: In a 9-week anatomy course, collaboration between Anatomy and Pathology faculty members facilitated the pairing of an investigative approach with traditional dissection to: encourage sel...
ASP+ reveals potential function of the serotonin transporter in perivascular adipose tissue (1170.8)

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) can modulate vascular tone. Norepinephrine transport in PVAT may serve as a buffer system to reduce adrenergic activation of vascular contraction. We hypothesized that the norepinephrine transporter (NET) is present in PVAT and used the NET selective fluorescent dye 4-(-4-(dimethylamino)-styryl)-N-methylpyridinium (ASP+) to probe for NET in mesenteric PVAT from normal male Sprague Dawley rats. PVAT was incubated ex-vivo with ASP+ and/or inhibitor and imaged by confocal microscopy. A concentration-response curve for ASP+ staining of PVAT was constructed and used to select 2 μM as the optimum concentration. Vehicle-incubated ASP+ signal was 137.5±8.6 AFU (arbitrary fluorescence units, n=18). Nisoxetine, a NET specific inhibitor, reduced ASP+ binding at 10 μm but not 100 nM [96.0±14.5 AFU and 115.9±4.1 AFU respectively (p<0.05; n=6-7)]. Similarly, citalopram (100 nM), a specific serotonin transporter (SERT) inhibitor, reduced ASP+ binding to 97.7±14.5 AFU (p<0.05; n=11). AS...
Biomechanical testing of a novel tendon implant device for the repair of equine flexor tendon lacerations.

Objective To compare in vitro strength and failure characteristics of a tendon implant against a 3 loop pulley suture pattern for equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) laceration repair. Study Design Experimental. Study Population Cadaveric equine forelimb SDFT (n = 16). Methods One tendon of each of 8 pair of SDFT was randomly selected for repair with either the 3-loop pulley (3LP) suture pattern using 2 polydioxanone or with 4 stainless steel suture and anchor implants (SA). Ultimate load to failure, mode of failure, gap at failure, and load to 2 mm gap were obtained using a materials testing system synchronized with a high-speed camera. Statistical evaluation was made using Student's t-test; significance was set at P ≤ .05. Results The 3LP failed at a significantly (P = .0001) greater load (363.5 ± 83.7 N) than SA (132.4 ± 26.8 N), but the load to a 2 mm gap (3LP = 164.9 ± 67.7 N, SA = 114.5 ± 21.5 N) was not significantly different (P = .09). Failure mode was by suture pull out and anchor pull out respectively. The gap at failure was significantly larger in the 3LP than in SA repair (P = .000005). Conclusions Both the SA repair and the 3LP resisted similar tension to 2 mm gap. However, the ultimate load to failure of the SA repair was only 36% that of the 3LP repair.
Fitness-for-Service Evaluation of Thermal Hot Spots and Corrosion Damage in Cylindrical Pressure Components

Thermal hot spots and corrosion damage are typical of damages occurring in pressure vessels and piping. Structural integrity of such components needs to be evaluated periodically to determine “fitness-for-service” of the components. In the present paper, three alternative methods for Level 2 FFS assessments (as defined by API 579) are proposed. They are based on variational principles in plasticity, the limit load multiplier m-alpha method, reference volume and the concept of decay lengths in shells. Decay lengths in the axial and circumferential directions for cylindrical shells are derived based on elastic shell theories. They are used to specify the reference volume participating in plastic action and the limit of what can be called “local” damage. Interaction between longitudinal and circumferential effects is investigated. A linear interaction curve is shown to give good estimations of “remaining strength factor” for damages of practical aspect ratios. The stretching and bulging effects due to the damage are also studied. The limit defining the threshold to dominance of stretching action is proposed by using an approximate equilibrium calculation based on yield-line analysis. The effectiveness of the proposed assessments are demonstrated through an example and verified by Level 3 inelastic finite element analysis.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
The Structure of International bond risk differentials

Many previous studies of the U.S. bond market have focused on the yield differential, the difference in yields on corporate and government bonds of the same maturity. These studies have generally found consistent and significant relationships between the yield differential and macroeconomic variables, with the yield differential being a positive function of the level of interest rates and the inflation rate and a negative function of the change in economic activity.
Access control in heterogeneous multichannel wireless networks

We propose a multichannel wireless network architecture that supports nodes with differing multichannel capabilities. Both contention and contention-free medium access control (MAC) protocols are proposed for this heterogeneous multichannel network. In the contention MAC protocol, a new LRN control packet is defined that allows a pair of nodes to re-negotiate channel selection. This relaxes the assumption that nodes can sense the carrier on all supported channels in a short period of time. We model the scheduling problem for our contention-free MAC protocol as a weighted bipartite matching problem that minimizes the sum of the completion times with polynomial time complexity. We close with an illustration showing how the weighted bipartite matching generates a transmission schedule.
Do lawyers cause adversarial legalism? : a preliminary inquiry

Cross-national case studies have indicated that compared to other economically advanced democracies, American methods of policy implementation and dispute resolution are more adversarial and legalistic, shaped by costly court action or the prospect of it. To what extent are lawyers responsible for creating American-style adversarial legalism? This article argues that while adversarial legalism stems primarily from enduring features of American political culture and governmental structure, the legal profession plays a significant independent role in promoting and perpetuating this mode of governance.
On the gravitational stability of satellite-orbiting objects: A reply to T. Gold☆

Abstract The stability of a satellite-orbiting object under the disturbing influence of the parent planet can be assessed by comparison with analogous three-body systems. The changes in the eccentricity and semimajor axis of a satellite-orbiting object (disturbed by the planet) and a planetary satellite (disturbed by the sun) scale equally if the dimensions of the systems are scaled by the sphere of influence of the orbited body. Thus, the apparent gravitational stability of planetary satellites supports theories of the gravitational stability of satellite-orbiting objects.
Who Attends Senior Centers

Abstract Logistic regression analysis was used to compare users and non-users of senior centers. Variables assessing linkage to the service system were more significant predictors of senior center utilization than predisposing, enabling, or need variables. More specifically, users of senior centers were older and more likely to live in rural areas. They also had more social contacts, better mental health, and fewer ADL problems. Senior center users were also more aware of specific service agencies, more likely to consult formal resources in making service decisions, and more likely to have used other services.
Gap Equation Models for Chiral Symmetry Breaking

On presente une discussion critique des modeles a equation de saut pour la rupture de symetrie chirale et on formule un modele de jauge de Coulomb etendu qui inclut un echange de gluon