cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HIV-1 rational vaccine design: molecular details of b12–gp120 complex structure

Evaluation of: Zhou T, Xu L, Dey B et al. Structural definition of a conserved neutralizing epitope on HIV-1 gp120. Nature 445(7129), 732–737 (2007).One of the great challenges for the design of an effective HIV-1 vaccine is the design of an immunogen that will evoke neutralizing antibody responses to a broad spectrum of the different HIV isolates now circulating. Unlike the current vaccines that were invented mostly by trial and error, HIV-1, to date, has resisted all such empirical efforts and, thus, a rational vaccine design approach is necessary. To evoke an effective virus-neutralizing immune response to HIV-1, one logical target to consider is the site of viral attachment to the cellular receptor. The paper under evaluation has advanced the feasibility of this approach by solving the high resolution crystal structure of the envelope protein, gp120, bound to a broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibody, b12, that recognizes the CD4-binding site. Zhou and colleagues’ work provides a ‘molecular map’ of t...
Unlocking the secrets of multi-flagellated propulsion: drawing insights from Tritrichomonas foetus

In this work, a high-speed imaging platform and a resistive force theory (RFT) based model were applied to investigate multi-flagellated propulsion, using Tritrichomonas foetus as an example. We discovered that T. foetus has distinct flagellar beating motions for linear swimming and turning, similar to the 'run and tumble' strategies observed in bacteria and Chlamydomonas. Quantitative analysis of the motion of each flagellum was achieved by determining the average flagella beat motion for both linear swimming and turning, and using the velocity of the flagella as inputs into the RFT model. The experimental approach was used to calculate the curvature along the length of the flagella throughout each stroke. It was found that the curvatures of the anterior flagella do not decrease monotonically along their lengths, confirming the ciliary waveform of these flagella. Further, the stiffness of the flagella was experimentally measured using nanoindentation, allowing for calculation of the flexural rigidity of T. foetus's flagella, 1.55×10(-21) N m(2). Finally, using the RFT model, it was discovered that the propulsive force of T. foetus was similar to that of sperm and Chlamydomonas, indicating that multi-flagellated propulsion does not necessarily contribute to greater thrust generation, and may have evolved for greater manoeuvrability or sensing. The results from this study have demonstrated the highly coordinated nature of multi-flagellated propulsion and have provided significant insights into the biology of T. foetus.
gratification patterns in Buganda: an explanation of intra‐cultural diversity1

Despite the increasing amount of research and debate being devoted to the problem of individual modernization, behavioral scientists have largely failed to reach an adequate understanding of the processes and transformations involved. The present investigation of economic gratification behavior in Buganda demonstrates the importance of examining patterns of intra-cultural diversity in order to assess the full range of transformations and relationships occurring within a single cultural region during the modernization process. An explanation of the observed diversity in gratification orientations within Buganda is offered in terms of the relative security, economic predictability, and frustration experienced by individuals in the various research communities.
Contribution of Human Mlh1 and Pms2 ATPase Activities to DNA Mismatch Repair

MutLα, a heterodimer composed of Mlh1 and Pms2, is the major MutL activity in mammalian DNA mismatch repair. Highly conserved motifs in the N termini of both subunits predict that the protein is an ATPase. To study the significance of these motifs to mismatch repair, we have expressed in insect cells wild type human MutLα and forms altered in conserved glutamic acid residues, predicted to catalyze ATP hydrolysis of Mlh1, Pms2, or both. Using an in vitro assay, we showed that MutLα proteins altered in either glutamic acid residue were each partially defective in mismatch repair, whereas the double mutant showed no detectable mismatch repair. Neither strand specificity nor directionality of repair was affected in the single mutant proteins. Limited proteolysis studies of MutLα demonstrated that both Mlh1 and Pms2 N-terminal domains undergo ATP-induced conformational changes, but the extent of the conformational change for Mlh1 was more apparent than for Pms2. Furthermore, Mlh1 was protected at lower ATP concentrations than Pms2, suggesting Mlh1 binds ATP with higher affinity. These findings imply that ATP hydrolysis is required for MutLα activity in mismatch repair and that this activity is associated with differential conformational changes in Mlh1 and Pms2.
The geoarchaeological and paleoenvironmental context of Paleoindian sites in western Middle Park, Colorado, USA

Geoarchaeological investigations in western Middle Park provide important information for understanding the soil-stratigraphic context of Paleoindian components, as well as the latest Quaternary environmental change and landscape evolution in a Southern Rocky Mountain intermontane basin. Paleoindian components are associated with the oldest two of four latest Quaternary stratigraphic units (1–4) recognized in co-alluvial mantles (combined slopewash and colluvium) in uplands and in alluvial valley fills. Limited data suggest accumulation of unit 1 as early as ∼12,500 14C yr B.P. in alluvial valleys and by at least ∼11,000 14C yr B.P. in uplands was followed by brief stability and soil formation. A relatively widespread disconformity marks earliest Holocene erosion and substantial removal of latest Pleistocene deposits in upland and alluvial settings followed by unit 2 deposition ∼10,000–9000 14C yr B.P., perhaps signaling the abrupt onset of an intensified summer monsoon. In situ Paleoindian components in uplands are found in a moderately developed buried soil (the Kremmling soil) formed in units 1 and 2 in thin (≤1m) hillslope co-alluvial mantles. The Kremmling soil reflects geomorphic stability in upland and alluvial settings ∼9000–4500 14C yr BP, and represents a buried landscape with the potential to contain additional Paleoindian components, although elsewhere in western Middle Park Early Archaic components are documented in morphologically similar soils. Kremmling soil morphology, the relative abundance of charcoal in unit 2 relative to younger units, and charcoal morphology indicate the expansion of forest cover, including Pinus, and grass cover during the early and middle Holocene, suggesting conditions moister than present. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hematopoietic potential cells in skeletal muscle

During mouse embryogenesis, the formation of primitive hematopoiesis begins in the yolk sac on embryonic day 7.5 (E7.5). Thereafter, definitive hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) activity is first detectable in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) region on E10, followed by fetal liver and yolk sac. Subsequently, the fetal liver by E12 becomes the main tissue for definitive hematopoiesis. At a later time, HSC population in the fetal liver migrates to the bone marrow, which becomes the major site of hematopoiesis throughout normal adult life 1. It remained unclear whether hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells exist in non-hematopoietic tissues. In 1980s, Bartlett 2 first described that adult mouse brain contained significant amount of colony forming units (CFU-s). The average number of CFU-s obtained per 105 dissociated adult brain cells was significantly higher than other adult tissues such as lung, kidney, heart, thymus and blood. However, Hoogerbrugge et al. 3 could not obtain such high number of CFU-s in adult brain and concluded that the CFU-s observed by Bartlett in preparations of mouse brain did not originate from the brain tissue. Nevertheless, recent work revealed that hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells clearly exist in several tissues besides bone marrow 4, 5. For example, adult liver has been shown to contain HSCs that reconstitute whole hematopoiesis in lethally irradiated animals. HSCs and hematopoietic progenitor cells readily colonize the adult spleen. In addition, adult lung contains large numbers of alveolar macrophages derived from progenitors identified in fetal lung. Furthermore, T cell differentiation occurs in extra-thymic sites, such as intestine and liver.
Selected Single Fiber Mechanical Properties of Different Gossypium Barbadense Cotton Varieties

The mechanical properties, including the breaking twist angle (BTA) and flexural fatigue life, of fibers of a number of different cotton varieties belonging to Gossypium barbadense were determined. The BTA test was used to obtain an indication of their brittleness. The brittleness of the cotton fibers correlated significantly with their length, flat bundle tenacity, and elongation. It appeared to be independent of fiber fineness and wall thickness. Scouring caused a small decrease in BTA. Longer staple cotton fibers appear to be inherently more brittle than shorter staple fibers. Differences were observed between the flexural fatigue behavior of the long staple cotton fibers and that of the medium-long staple types tested in this study. Flexural fatigue properties appear to be inversely and significantly related to fiber brittleness and tenacity and also directly and significantly related to Micronaire reading.
Freeze-Etch Study of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Localization Within the Cell Wall of an Ethylenediaminetetraacetate-Extractable Component

A freeze-etch study of normal cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and of cells after incubation with ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris) was performed. When cells were freeze-etched without a cryoprotective agent, a smooth outer cell wall layer, which showed a regular array of subunits, and the presence of flagella and pili were observed. These features were not observed in cells freeze-etched after cryoprotection with glycerol. Four fracture surfaces, which resulted from splitting down the center of the outer wall membrane and of the inner cytoplasmic membrane, were revealed in freeze-etched glycerol-protected cells. The murein layer was seen in profile between the outer cell wall membrane and the cytoplasmic membrane. Spherical units and small rods composed of the spherical units were observed in the inner layer of the outer cell wall membrane. These spherical units appeared to be attached to, or embedded in, the inner face of the outer layer of the outer cell wall membrane. These spherical units were removed from cells on exposure to EDTA-Tris, resulting in cells that were osmotically fragile. The spherical units were detected via electron microscopy of negatively stained preparations in the supernatant fluid of cellular suspensions treated with EDTA-Tris. Upon addition of Mg 2+ , the spherical units were reaggregated into the inner layer of the outer cell wall membrane and the cells were restored to osmotic stability. The spherical units were shown to consist primarily of protein. These data are thought to represent the first ultrastructural demonstration of reaggregation of cell wall components within a living cell system. Images
Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording on High Anisotropy Nanocomposite Media

The tremendous increase in magnetic areal density has been largely responsible for the proliferation of hard disk drive recording into new applications and markets. The superparamagnetic limit imposes a signal-to-noise ratio, thermal stability, and writability tradeoff that limits the ability to continue to scale traditional magnetic recording technology to higher storage densities. Heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) offers a new degree of freedom with elevated writing temperature that holds the promise of extending the areal density of magnetic data storage. By temporarily heating the media during the recording process, the media coercivity can be lowered below the available applied magnetic write field, allowing higher media anisotropy and therefore smaller thermally stable grains. The heated region is then rapidly cooled in the presence of the applied head field where transition is recorded. With a tightly focused laser beam heating the media, the write process is similar to magneto- optical recording, but in a HAMR system the readout is performed with a magneto-resistive element.
An Efficient One-Flask Synthesis of N-Confused Tetraphenylporphyrin

N-Confused meso-substituted porphyrin is a porphyrin isomer previously available from one-flask porphyrin syntheses as a low-yield byproduct ( 5-fold yield improvement and makes significant quantities of NC-TPP readily available.
Ground reaction forces and kinematics of plant leg position during instep kicking in male and female collegiate soccer players

The players' ability to achieve the greatest distance in kicking is determined by their efficiency in transferring kinetic energy from the body to the ball. The purpose of this study was to compare the kinetics and kinematics of the plant leg position between male and female collegiate soccer players during instep kicking. Twenty-three soccer players (11 males and 12 females) were filmed in both the sagittal and posterior views while performing a maximal instep kick. Plant leg kinetic data were also collected using an AMTI 1000 force platform. There were no significant differences between the sexes in plant leg position, but females had significantly greater trunk lean, plant leg angle, and medial-lateral ground reaction force than the males. Males showed higher vertical ground reaction forces at ball contact, but there were no significant differences in ball speed at take-off between the sexes. Ball speed at take-off was inversely related to peak anterior-posterior ground reaction force (-0.65). The anatomical differences between the sexes were reflected in greater trunk lean and lower leg angle in the females.
Early Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding in a Neonate Associated with Maternal Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy

Introduction Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare but potentially fatal condition occurring in the third trimester or early postpartum period. It is characterized by microvesicular fatty infiltration of the liver. Clinically, the three most prominent derangements in women with AFLP are hepatic dysfunction, renal insufficiency, and impaired coagulation. AFLP is associated with an increased incidence of morbidity and mortality in neonates, though the exact cause for this remains unclear. Deficiency of vitamin K in patients with liver disease has been widely reported. Case Description We present a unique case of severe intracranial bleeding because of the early vitamin K deficiency in a neonate whose mother had AFLP along with accompanying renal insufficiency. Conclusion We suggest that monitoring infants born to mothers with AFLP, for vitamin K deficiency bleeding will help reduce morbidity and mortality in these infants.
Nathan Birnbaum and Tuvia Horowitz: Friendship and the Origins of an Orthodox Ideologue

Nathan Birnbaum, early Zionist, Yiddishist and later general secretary of the Orthodox Agudat Yisrael, is a perplexing figure to modern Jewish historiography. While the trajectory of his early career as a Zionist and his leadership in the first Conference for the Yiddish Language have been well charted, his later years have been largely overlooked. In the years leading up to and during the First World War, Birnbaum turned his back on the secular political groups which had defined his public persona, and became a ba'al teshuva, a penitent returnee to Orthodox Judaism. Essential to his turn to Orthodoxy, and to his very quick arrival and success in the Orthodox political world, was his relationship with a young rabbi from Eastern Hungary, Tuvia Horowitz. Horowitz, the nephew of the Viznitser Rebbe, sought out Birnbaum upon receiving rumors of his teshuva while a refugee in Vienna, and the relationship between the two men quickly grew to a warm collegiality. Detailed in the extensive correspondence which spanned the rest of Birnbaum's life, their friendship sheds light on Birnbaum's intellectual transformation, as well as the central role played by Horowitz in Birnbaum's emergence as an Orthodox leader.
Condorcet polling can yield serendipitous clues about voter views

Condorcet polling provides additional information about pairwise rankings often obscured in standard polls when there are three or more candidates. This paper analyzes an original dataset collected from Duke University students in North Carolina concerning the 2014 Senate race, wherein a Democrat, a Republican, and a Libertarian contested the election. The results illustrate that Condorcet polling is feasible in such a context, and that the information provided changes the strategic calculus of voters in ways that may have a positive impact on the way votes are cast and choices considered.
Extremely High-Frequency Flexible Graphene Thin-Film Transistors

We have achieved 140-nm channel length graphene thin-film transistors (TFTs) on flexible glass with a 95-GHz intrinsic cutoff frequency and greater than 30-GHz intrinsic power frequency after standard de-embedding. The flexible glass substrate offers subnanometer surface smoothness as well as high thermal conductivity, 1 W/ $\textrm {m}\,\cdot \, \textrm {K}$ , which can prevent thermomechanical failure, which is a limitation of plastic and rubber substrates. In addition, we developed a flexible 60-nm polyimide thin film as gate dielectric with low surface roughness less than 0.35 nm for optimal carrier transport and facilitate edge-injection contacts for low contact resistance. The maximum electron (hole) mobility is 4540 (1100) cm2/ $\textrm {V}\cdot \textrm {s}$ , and the extracted contact resistance in the electron (hole) branch is 1140 (720) $\Omega \cdot \mu \text{m}$ . The intrinsic cutoff frequency is 196% higher than our previous results on polymeric substrates. Importantly, the experimental saturation velocity of the graphene TFT is the highest for any flexible transistor on any material system reported so far.
Building near-surface models with velocity inversions and evaluating their impact on depth imaging

Summary Complex near-surface geology in arid environments poses many challenges for building near-surface velocity models. High-impedance contrasts, velocity inversions and screening of reflected energy are among the most significant challenges for velocity estimation and imaging in these areas. Here we demonstrate that the recovery of detailed velocity variations in the near surface is essential for depth imaging of deep targets. Specifically, we focus on a case from an arid environment where low-velocity zones and layers are present in the near surface and shingling of first arrivals is observed. We confirm that traveltime tomography is unable to recover them properly and as a consequence leads to poor depth images. In contrast, fullwaveform inversion can reconstruct a better velocity model with inversion resulting in more accurate depth images.
Purification and properties of the agent of feline pneumonitis.

obtained in a highly purified form and their chemical, physical, and morphological properties have been studied intensively (reviewed by Beard, 1948a and b). A number of purification procedures have been devised for the psittacosislymphogranuloma group of viruses to produce either satisfactory antigens (Lazarus and Meyer, 1939; McKee et al. 1940; Smadel et al, 1943) or material suitable for electron microscopy (Rake et al, 1946; Hamre et al, 1947; Heinmets and Golub, 1948), but the chemical and physical properties of these agents have not been investigated in detail. In the present study, the elementary bodies of feline pneumonitis were separated from yolk sac in a considerably purified state as a part of a broad investigation of the properties and host relationships of the psittacosis-lymphogranuloma group of viruses (Weiss, 1950a, b; Gogolak and Weiss, 1950; Moulder and Weiss, 1951a, b; Weiss et al, 1951). The agent of feline pneumonitis appeared especially well suited for this research. Shortly after its initial isolation from the lungs of cats suffering from pneumonia (Baker, 1942), it was recognized as a typical member of the psittacosis-lymphogranuloma group
Polarization charge: Theory and applications to aqueous interfaces

When an electric field is applied across an interface, a dielectric will acquire a polarization charge layer, assumed infinitely thin in the theory of macroscopic dielectrics and also in most treatments of electrokinetic phenomena in nanoscale structures. In this work we explore the polarization charge layer in molecular detail. Various formal relations and a linear response theory for the polarization charge are presented. Properties of the polarization charge layer are studied for three aqueous interfaces: air-water, a crystalline silica surface with water, and an amorphous silica surface with water. The polarization charge is calculated from equilibrium simulations via linear response theory and from non-equilibrium simulations, and the results are within statistical error. The polarization charge is found to be distributed within a region whose width is on the order of a nanometer.
The Association of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms and the Risk of Falling.

Importance Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common adverse effect of neurotoxic chemotherapy resulting in pain, sensory loss, and decreased quality of life. Few studies have prospectively examined the relationship between sensory neuropathy symptoms, falls, and fall-related injuries for patients receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy. Objective To determine the association between the symptoms of CIPN and the risk of falls for patients receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy. Design, Setting, and Participants In this secondary analysis of a prospective study, 116 patients with breast, ovarian, or lung cancer who were beginning neurotoxic chemotherapy with a taxane or platinum agent were recruited from oncology clinics. These patients would call a novel automated telephone system daily for 1 full course of chemotherapy. The telephone system (SymptomCare@Home) used a series of relevant CIPN questions to track symptoms on a 0 to 10 ordinal scale and contained a questionnaire about falls. Those reporting a numbness and tingling severity score of 3 or greater for at least 10 days were considered to have significant CIPN symptoms and were compared with those patients who did not. Data analysis was performed in November 2015. Exposure Chemotherapy with a neurotoxic taxane or platinum agent. Main Outcomes and Measures Patient-reported falls or near falls and fall-related injuries. The hypothesis was generated after data collection but prior to data analysis. Results Of the 116 patients who started neurotoxic chemotherapy (mean [SD] age was 55.5 [11.9] years, and 109 [94.0%] were female), 32 met the predetermined criteria for CIPN symptoms. The mean duration of follow-up was 62 days, with 51 telephone calls completed per participant. Seventy-four falls or near falls were reported. The participants with CIPN symptoms were nearly 3 times more likely to report a fall or near fall than the participants without CIPN symptoms (hazard ratio, 2.67 [95% CI, 1.62-4.41]; P P = .01). Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest that the sensory symptoms of CIPN are an indicator of an increased risk of falling and an increased use of health care resources. This study demonstrates the utility of a novel telephone-based system to track neuropathy symptoms. Careful monitoring and coaching of patients receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy for new sensory symptoms may facilitate more effective fall prevention strategies.
Easterline' s supply and demand theory whether not to be“acclimatized”

It is to pass the arduous and careful family planning work for many years that we obtained the dropping of fertility rate of our country.The relation of family economies and bearing is unavoidable“out of shape”sometimes.We should hold a cau-tious attitude while using western economic theories of population studying the question of bearing in our country.
Synergistic environmental degradation of glass reinforced polymer composites

Abstract Synergistic effects involved in the environmental degradation of Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP) composites were examined in this research. Six GRPs based on E-glass and ECR-glass fibers with four different polymer resins were exposed either individually or in combination to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, water condensation and elevated temperature for approximately 1000 h. The composites were monitored for weight changes as a function of time and their surfaces were examined after the tests using optical and scanning electron microscopes. A new model of synergistic aging of polymers under UV and water condensation was also proposed. It has been shown that the selected aging conditions created noticeable synergistic effects causing extensive erosion of the polymer matrices of the tested composites which appeared to be much stronger under the combined actions than under individual exposures. The differences in the aging rates under the individual and combined situations were adequately explained using the newly proposed model. It is suggested that the surface erosion of polymer matrices of the GRPs by combined UV and water condensation creates the most effective condition for small polymer particles formed by UV to be subsequently removed by water condensation exposing fresh still undamaged surfaces to further UV degradation. It has also been shown that depending on the size of the particles different particle removal mechanisms occur on polymer surfaces eroded by a cyclic exposure to UV and water condensation.
ANTIMETABOLITE SUBSTANCES FROM BACILLUSCEREUS

ABSTRACT A strain of Bacillus cereus (Burg 122110) isolated from a soil sample in Madison produces a protein-like antibiotic substance. This substance has a molecular weight of ca. 50,000 daltons as determined by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and consists of 16 principal amino acids as shown by amino acid analysis of its acid hydrolysate. These data indicate that the antibiotic substance is similar to the bacteriocins, which are known to be produced by other strains of B. cereus. The antibiotic substance exhibits MIC values of 0.1 to 1 μg/mL when assayed in vitro in a chemically-defined medium against S. aureus, E. coli B, E. coli Davis, and an E. coli clinical isolate. It also shows some antibiotic activity towards P. mirabilis and C. albicans. Its antibacterial activity towards E. coli B was slightly reversed by methionine, serine, glycine and cysteine, and clearly reversed by yeast extract and peptone. KEYWORDS Antibacterial agent; bacteriocin; Bacillus cereus ; basic protein.
Transforming the Character of the Moral Philosopher

MacIntyre suggests that we are confronted with competing understandings of what it means to be a “philosopher.” The philosopher as technical specialist is akin to the character of the manager. MacIntyre describes this character not only to diagnose, but also to arouse. His purpose is to awaken his readers to the hollowness of this sort of philosopher, pointing to the gap between this character’s activities in the professional context as compared with the everyday life of this kind of philosopher. He thereby hopes to dispose his reader to turn away from the conception of the philosopher as technical specialist. MacIntyre draws upon the character of the “plain person” to encourage a transformed conception of the philosopher, from professional specialist to seeker of understanding.
Applications of Markov point Processes

We now present several illustrations and enlargements of the previous chapter. These applications help to place Markov point processes in context but they can be omitted without loss of continuity. In addition to the Markov theme these examples have another feature in common: They illustrate one approach to the general phenomena of clustering.
Electronic signature of computerized patient records.

The article describes the computerized system developed and used at the Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio to affix a physician's signature electronically. The system electronically sends dictated reports (e.g., discharge summaries, history and physical examinations, and operative reports) and attestation statements to the physician for review. The physician selects the report individually and may approve or enter comments. Comments are forwarded electronically to medical information management. The article describes the fiscal intermediary's requirements and approval process and the impact on delinquent records and accounts awaiting attestation signature before billing.
Time Is Not on Our Side: How Radiology Practices Should Manage Customer Queues

As health care shifts toward patient-centered care, wait times have received increasing scrutiny as an important metric for patient satisfaction. Long queues form when radiology practices inefficiently service their customers, leading to customer dissatisfaction and a lower perception of value. This article describes a four-step framework for radiology practices to resolve problematic queues: (1) analyze factors contributing to queue formation; (2) improve processes to reduce service times; (3) reduce variability; (4) address the psychology of queues.
A Novel Patient Engagement Platform Using Accessible Text Messages and Calls (Epharmix): Feasibility Study

Background: Patient noncompliance with therapy, treatments, and appointments represents a significant barrier to improving health care delivery and reducing the cost of care. One method to improve therapeutic adherence is to improve feedback loops in getting clinically acute events and issues to the relevant clinical providers as necessary (ranging from detecting hypoglycemic events for patients with diabetes to notifying the provider when patients are out of medications). Patients often don’t know which information should prompt a call to their physician and proactive checks by the clinics themselves can be very resource intensive. We hypothesized that a two-way SMS system combined with a platform web service for providers would enable both high patient engagement but also the ability to detect relevant clinical alerts. Objective: The objectives of this study are to develop a feasible two-way automated SMS/phone call + web service platform for patient-provider communication, and then study the feasibility and acceptability of the Epharmix platform. First, we report utilization rates over the course of the first 18 months of operation including total identified clinically significant events, and second, review results of patient user-satisfaction surveys for interventions for patients with diabetes, COPD, congestive heart failure, hypertension, surgical site infections, and breastfeeding difficulties. Methods: To test this question, we developed a web service + SMS/phone infrastructure (“Epharmix”). Utilization results were measured based on the total number of text messages or calls sent and received, with percentage engagement defined as a patient responding to a text message at least once in a given week, including the number of clinically significant alerts generated. User satisfaction surveys were sent once per month over the 18 months to measure satisfaction with the system, frequency and degree of communication. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the above information. Results: In total, 28,386 text messages and 24,017 calls were sent to 929 patients over 9 months. Patients responded to 80% to 90% of messages allowing the system to detect 1164 clinically significant events. Patients reported increased satisfaction and communication with their provider. Epharmix increased the number of patient-provider interactions to over 10 on average in any given month for patients with diabetes, COPD, congestive heart failure, hypertension, surgical site infections, and breastfeeding difficulties. Conclusions: Engaging high-risk patients remains a difficult process that may be improved through novel, digital health interventions. The Epharmix platform enables increased patient engagement with very low risk to improve clinical outcomes. We demonstrated that engagement among high-risk populations is possible when health care comes conveniently to where they are.
On the role of auxiliary electrodes in a.c. discharges

Only the phenomena taking place near the discharge-heated, oxide-coated electrode of low-pressure mercury-argon ares are treated by the author for the case when two auxiliary electrodes of the same surface area, arranged parallel to each other protrude into the space around the electrode. The radial movement of the auxiliary electrodes and examination of the influence thereof on the space surrounding the electrode is facilitated by a discharge tube of special design made especially for this purpose. The current consumption of the auxiliary electrodes in their various positions is determined and the total currents as well as the variations of the tube voltage are measured. Starting from the results thus obtained, the influence of the auxiliary electrodes used in a.c. discharges on the space around the electrode is discussed. Using time distribution through the previously employed a.c. probe measurements, the instantaneous value of cathode fall and the mean value obtained from the cathode fall and anode fall relative to one half period are determined as functions of the position of the auxiliary electrodes. The results and functions obtained are compared with the relationships derived from the tests carried out hitherto with d.c. discharges.
Sinusoidal-signal detection by active, noisy oscillators on the brink of self-oscillation

Abstract Determining the conditions under which an active system best detects sinusoidal signals is important for numerous fields. It is known that a quiescent, deterministic system possessing a supercritical Hopf bifurcation is more sensitive to sinusoidal stimuli the closer it operates to the bifurcation. To understand signal detection in many natural settings, however, noise must be taken into account. Herein we describe the detection of sinusoidal signals by noisy supercritical and subcritical Hopf oscillators. To distinguish an oscillator’s motion owing to sinusoidal forcing from that provoked by noise, we employ the phase-locked amplitude and vector strength, which are zero in the absence of an external signal. The phase-locked amplitude and entrainment to frequency-detuned forcing – but not resonant forcing – peak as functions of the control parameter. These peaks occur near but not at the bifurcations. Moreover, an oscillator can detect stimuli over the broadest frequency range when it spontaneously oscillates near a Hopf bifurcation. Although noise exerts the greatest effect on the phase-locked amplitude when a Hopf oscillator is near a Hopf bifurcation, the oscillator nevertheless performs best as a sinusoidal-signal detector when it operates close to the bifurcation. The oscillator’s ability to differentiate detuned signals from noise is greatest with it autonomously oscillates near to but not at the bifurcation.
Representative Sampling Using SimPoint

SimPoint is a technique used to pick what parts of the program’s execution to simulate in order to have a complete picture of execution. SimPoint uses data clustering algorithms from machine learning to automatically find repetitive (similar) patterns in a program’s execution, and it chooses one sample to represent each unique repetitive behavior. Each sample is then simulated and weighted appropriately, and then together the results from these samples represent an accurate picture of the complete execution of the program.
When Everyone Wins? Exploring Employee and Customer Preferences for No-Haggle Pricing.

The organizational importance for interactions between frontline employees and customers has been examined in relation to dimensions such as climate or culture. In this article, we highlight the importance of pricing strategies – typically studied in relation to consumer preferences – for frontline employees. To do this, we apply an evolutionary perspective and present two complementary studies that focus on the relevance of price discipline in relation to employee attitudes and preferences. Focusing on the industry of new automobile sales since there is important firm-level pricing variation, Study 1 finds a faintly positive relationship among employee prosociality, customer satisfaction, and fixed or “no-haggle” pricing strategies. In Study 2, participants indicated a preference for working in environments that offered the same, non-disparate prices to all customers. While previous research has examined the relationships between employee and customer attitudes in relation to firm performance, our studies emphasize the role that pricing strategies can play as a mechanism in those relationships. Our studies illustrate the value of evolutionary frameworks for contemporary business problems.
Abstract TP296: Predicting Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale Components in Emergency Medical Services Patient Care Reports Using Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning

Introduction: Prehospital stroke data is often not included in hospital records and quality improvement registries. However, manual data abstraction from free-text emergency medical services (EMS) ...
Breast cancer histologic subtypes show excess familial clustering

BACKGROUND The inherited predisposition to developing specific histologic subtypes of invasive breast carcinoma has been incompletely investigated. By using a large, population-based database, the authors sought to investigate familial clustering of breast cancer by histologic subtype. METHODS By using the Utah Population Database, which links genealogy records to the National Cancer Institute's statewide Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry, the authors identified patients with breast cancer by histology and tested for evidence of shared genetic predisposition to histologic specific subtypes by examining pairwise relatedness and estimating the relative risk (RR) among first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree relatives. RESULTS The authors identified 23,629 individuals in the Utah Population Database who had at least 3 generations of genealogy and at least 1 primary breast cancer, 2883 (12.2%) of which were specific histologic subtypes other than invasive ductal carcinoma (including inflammatory [n = 178], lobular [n = 1688], and mucinous [n = 542]). Statistically significant excess distant relatedness was identified for the mucinous subtype (P = .011) as well as for inflammatory breast cancers (P = .024). The RR for breast cancer of any histology in second-degree relatives was significantly increased for patients with inflammatory (RR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.02-1.68; P = .03), lobular (RR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.25-1.47; P < .001), and mucinous (RR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.12-1.44; P = .00021) subtypes. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide evidence for significant familial clustering within histological subtypes for lobular, mucinous, and inflammatory breast carcinomas. Further research is required to identify the underlying genetic variants responsible for the increased risk. Studies of high-risk pedigrees segregating a specific histologic subtype could be a powerful design for predisposition gene identification.
Understanding Japanese Games Education

Although videogame education research is a growing area of interest, most work has examined practices in the US and Europe. In this article I describe the results of a study that explored how game design and development is taught in Japan and the challenges students face as they learn. For this study I interviewed ten people who teach game design and development courses in Japan. These interviews were conducted in person, recorded, and transcribed. The transcripts were analyzed using an iterative coding process to identify emergent themes. This study’s results support earlier findings regarding common challenges students face. For example, students often have difficulties generating creative game ideas and concepts, preferring to “mimic” games they are familiar with. Some findings also provide insights into issues that may be culturally specific. For instance, games education isn’t an area of explosive interest from the part of students as is currently the case in the US and Europe. Overall, games education in Japan does not seem to be that different from what is done in other places around the world. This is encouraging, since it suggests that solutions to pedagogical problems identified could be applied and shared more broadly.
31 Surgical cytoreduction in advanced stage serous endometrial carcinoma

Objectives To evaluate oncologic outcomes in patients with advanced-stage serous endometrial cancer treated with upfront surgical cytoreduction. Methods We retrospectively identified patients with newly diagnosed Stage III or IV serous endometrial cancer treated with upfront surgery from 1/2005–12/2015. Patients treated with upfront chemotherapy (CT) were excluded. Appropriate statistics were performed. Results 169 pts were included; 97(57%) Stage III, 72 (43%) Stage IV. 108 (64%) underwent open surgery, 61(36%) minimally invasive surgery. All had hysterectomy/bilateral adnexectomy: 53 (31%) upper and lower abdominal resections (liver, diaphragm, bowel, etc), 116 (69%) only omental and nodal resections. 120 (71%) had 0mm residual, 38 (23%) 1–10mm residual, 11 (7%) >10mm residual disease. 160 (95%) received post-operative therapy (POT): 93(55%) CT alone, 66 (39%) both CT and radiotherapy. Overall, age, race, BMI, and histologic subtype were comparable (table 1). Median follow-up for survivors is 56 mos (range: 0.5–137). Using multivariate analysis considering interaction of residual disease with stage, there was no statistically significant PFS or OS advantage based on residual disease status. Wash status was associated with improved PFS; age, wash status, and POT were associated with improved OS. Conclusions Upfront surgical cytoreduction was not associated with improved PFS or OS regardless of residual disease status in advanced-stage serous endometrial cancer. A collaborative effort to evaluate the impact of 0mm residual on oncologic outcomes is underway.
There Has to Be a Better Way: Lessons from Former Urban Teachers

The reasons why teachers leave classrooms are as varied as why teachers enter them in the first place. Some see teaching as a respectable career with security and longevity. Others choose teaching ...
Who Needs Evaluation, How, and When? The Case for You, Leaders, Executives, and People in Public Office

Evaluation of cognitive function or assessment of mentation in those with symptoms, or reported by friends or family, has many challenges. A particularly flexible approach is required, as some people cannot even be assessed due to obtundation, some cannot concentrate for more than a few seconds in the case of delirium, and some are inattentive with only minutes of assessment possible (dementias). Extensive in-depth neuropsychological testing at the other extreme is taxing even for normal people. Furthermore, examination technique may be prone to error and misinterpretation, by many factors, including medications (the ubiquitous anticholinergic drug effects) and organ system failure (minimal hepatic encephalopathy). In addition, overdiagnosis of cognitive deficits is not uncommon, even by experienced neuropsychologists [1].
Response to: Comparison of MAFLD and NAFLD diagnostic criteria in real world.

We have several concerns with the recent study by Lin et al..1 Recently, the terminology used to identify fatty liver disease with metabolic components has come under discussion. Proponents for a name change of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) state that MAFLD better captures the heterogeneity of this fatty liver disease based on risk factor and removes the exclusion of alcohol use (non-alcoholic).
The role of the gut microbiome in cancer-related fatigue: pilot study on epigenetic mechanisms

Recent evidence supports a key role of gut microbiome in brain health. We conducted a pilot study to assess associations of gut microbiome with cancer-related fatigue and explore the associations with DNA methylation changes. Self-reported Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory and stool samples were collected at pre-radiotherapy and one-month post-radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer. Gut microbiome data were obtained by sequencing the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene. DNA methylation changes in the blood were assessed using Illumina Methylation EPIC BeadChip. We observed significantly different gut microbiota patterns among patients with high vs. low fatigue across time. This pattern was characterized by low relative abundance in short-chain fatty acid–producing taxa (family Ruminococcaceae, genera Subdoligranulum and Faecalibacterium; all p < 0.05), with high abundance in taxa associated with inflammation (genera Family XIII AD3011 and Erysipelatoclostridium; all p < 0.05) for high-fatigue group. We identified nine KEGG Orthology pathways significantly different between high- vs. low-fatigue groups over time (all p < 0.001), including pathways related to fatty acid synthesis and oxidation, inflammation, and brain function. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed on the top differentially methylated CpG sites that were associated with the taxa and fatigue. All biological processes from the GSEA were related to immune responses and inflammation (FDR < 0.05). Our results suggest different patterns of the gut microbiota in cancer patients with high vs. low fatigue. Results from functional pathways and DNA methylation analyses indicate that inflammation is likely to be the major driver in the gut-brain axis for cancer-related fatigue.
Harvesting in Stochastic Environments: Optimal Policies in a Relaxed Model

This paper examines the objective of optimally harvesting a single species in a stochastic environment. This problem has previously been analyzed in [1] using dynamic programming techniques and, due to the natural payoff structure of the price rate function (the price decreases as the population increases), no optimal harvesting policy exists. This paper establishes a relaxed formulation of the harvesting model in such a manner that existence of an optimal relaxed harvesting policy can not only be proven but also identified. The analysis imbeds the harvesting problem in an infinite-dimensional linear program over a space of occupation measures in which the initial position enters as a parameter and then analyzes an auxiliary problem having fewer constraints. In this manner upper bounds are determined for the optimal value (with the given initial position); these bounds depend on the relation of the initial population size to a specific target size. The more interesting case occurs when the initial population exceeds this target size; a new argument is required to obtain a sharp upper bound. Though the initial population size only enters as a parameter, the value is determined in a closed-form functional expression of this parameter.
Forever young: the key to rejuvenation during gametogenesis

Cell aging is the result of deteriorating competence in maintaining cellular homeostasis and quality control. Certain cell types are able to rejuvenate through asymmetric cell division by excluding aging factors, including damaged cellular compartments and extrachromosomal rDNA circles, from entering the daughter cell. Recent findings from the budding yeast S. cerevisiae have shown that gametogenesis represents another type of cellular rejuvenation. Gametes, whether produced by an old or a young mother cell, are granted a renewed replicative lifespan through the formation of a fifth nuclear compartment that sequesters the harmful senescence factors accumulated by the mother. Here, we describe the importance and mechanism of cellular remodeling at the nuclear envelope mediated by ESCRT-III and the LEM-domain proteins, with a focus on nuclear pore biogenesis and chromatin interaction during gamete rejuvenation.