cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Characterization of Porous Benzimidazole-Linked Polymers and Their Performance in Small Gas Storage and Selective Uptake

Porous organic polymers containing nitrogen-rich building units are among the most promising materials for selective CO2 capture and separation which can have a tangible impact on the environment and clean energy applications. Herein we report on the synthesis and characterization of four new porous benzimidazole-linked polymers (BILPs) and evaluate their performance in small gas storage (H2, CH4, CO2) and selective CO2 binding over N2 and CH4. BILPs were synthesized in good yields by the condensation reaction between aryl-o-diamine and aryl-aldehyde building blocks. The resulting BILPs exhibit moderate surface area (SABET = 599–1306 m2 g–1), high chemical and thermal stability, and remarkable gas uptake and selectivity. The highest selectivity based on initial slope calculations at 273 K was observed for BILP-2: CO2/N2 (113) and CO2/CH4 (17), while the highest storage capacity was recorded for BILP-4: CO2 (24 wt % at 273 K and 1 bar) and H2 (2.3 wt % at 77 K and 1 bar). These selectivities and gas uptake...
Measuring Sustainment of Multiple Practices Fiscally Mandated in Children’s Mental Health Services

Examining sustainment of multiple evidence-based practices is crucial to understanding the processes and outcomes of system-driven implementation efforts that are increasingly common. This study used administrative claims data to characterize volume and penetration of six practices over 19 fiscal quarters following initial implementation within the context of a system-driven, fiscally mandated implementation effort in Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health's Prevention and Early Intervention services. Patterns of volume changes over time revealed an overall ramp up of practice claims over time, but variability in patterns of volume and penetration for each practice. Findings varied by the methods used to index and analyze volume and penetration. Furthermore, a number of client case-mix and therapist characteristics were associated with the volume of therapists' claims for each practice relative to their claims for the other practices.
Long term negative pressure ventilation: Rescue for the failing fontan?

Current treatment strategies for single ventricle patients include non-intervention strategy, surgical palliation or primary transplantation. Surgical palliation includes a staged operative course culminating in the Fontan operation. With progress in surgical techniques, the survival has been improving. However, almost all of these Fontan patients will demonstrate pathophysiologic changes that ultimately constitute “Fontan failure physiology”. This article reviews the pathophysiologic changes, current approach to management of these patients and proposes a novel way of reversing some of the pathophysiologic changes by utilization of negative pressure ventilation.
Addressing the Retirement Savings Crisis in the United States: The Role of Employer-Provided Financial Education

Defined contribution savings plans, which shift the responsibility for retirement saving from the employer to the worker, cover an increasing number of American workers. In such an environment, providing workers with information and education about saving for retirement is very important. However, assessments of financial education programs offered in a range of locations (schools, workplaces, communities, etc.) have questioned the effectiveness of financial education. In this article, the author focuses only on those programs offered at the workplace and reviews three types of evaluations of the effectiveness of financial education: self-assessments, econometric analyses, and randomized controlled trials. All three types prove to be effective in increasing retirement savings.
Refusal of Recommended Chemotherapy for Ovarian Cancer: Risk Factors and Outcomes; a National Cancer Data Base Study.

OBJECTIVE To identify risk factors associated with refusal of recommended chemotherapy and its impact on patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). METHODS We identified patients in the National Cancer Data Base diagnosed with EOC from January 1998 to December 2011. Patients who refused chemotherapy were identified and compared with those who received recommended, multiagent chemotherapy. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed using chi-square test with Bonferroni correction, binary logistic regression, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards modeling. The threshold for statistical significance was set at a P value of less than 0.05. RESULTS From a cohort of 147,713 eligible patients, 2,707 refused chemotherapy. These patients were compared with 92,212 patients who received recommended multiagent chemotherapy. Older age, more medical comorbidities, not having insurance, and later year of diagnosis were directly and significantly associated with chemotherapy refusal when analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. In addition, lower-than-expected facility adherence to NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Ovarian Cancer, treatment at low-volume center, lower grade, and higher stage were all significantly and independently associated with chemotherapy refusal. Median overall survival of patients who received multiagent chemotherapy was significantly longer than that of those who refused chemotherapy (43 vs 4.8 months; P<.0005). After controlling for known patient, facility, and disease prognostic factors, chemotherapy refusal is significantly associated with increased risk of death. CONCLUSIONS Refusal of recommended chemotherapy carries significant risk of early death from ovarian cancer. Our data demonstrate that the decision to refuse chemotherapy is multifactorial and, in addition to unalterable factors (eg, stage/grade, age), involves factors that can be changed, including facility type and payor. Efforts at addressing these discrepancies in care can improve compliance with chemotherapy recommendations in the NCCN Guidelines for Ovarian Cancer and outcomes.
Development of information resources in hospital libraries and servicing for medicial study

On discussion about the relationship between the creative construcion of medical information resources and servicing for medical studies, suggest how to provide an effective resources for medical studies.
399 BEHAVIORAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN DETERMINING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND OBESITY IN CHILDREN WITH CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE.

Purpose There is an increasing prevalence of obesity and dramatic decline in physical activity among American youth, including children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Little is known regarding the causes of decreased physical activity, impact on health, and relationship of decreased physical activity and obesity to other cardiovascular risk factors. We sought to evaluate behavioral and environmental variables as determining factors for physical activity and obesity in children with CHD. Methods Healthy children and children with CHD, aged 6-13 years old, were recruited. Children with CHD were further subdivided into CHD I (after repair without significant residual limitations) and CHD II (after palliative procedure with residual limitations). Parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist, Child Vulnerability Scale, and Parent Protection Scale. Children completed a Physical Activity Determinants Questionnaire. Chi-square tests and linear regression were used for data analysis. Results There were no significant differences between the healthy subjects and those with CHD in Child Behavior Checklist subcategories of withdrawal, anxiety/depression, thought problems, delinquency, somatic problems, social problems, attention problems, and aggression. There was no difference in parent overprotection between healthy patients and those with CHD I and CHD II using the Parent Protection Scale. CHD II children were perceived as more vulnerable by parents than healthy subjects on the Childhood Vulnerability Scale ( p = .02). Perceived child vulnerability correlates well with parent overprotection among subjects with CHD ( p = .01) but not in the healthy group. Child vulnerability also correlates with body mass index (BMI) in healthy subjects ( p = .05) but not in CHD groups. Self-efficacy for physical activity has significant correlation with BMI in all study subjects ( p = .05). Conclusion Parents of children with CHD consider their children more vulnerable and perceived vulnerability is associated with parent overprotection. Higher child vulnerability is also associated with higher BMIs. Parental overprotection may lead to physical activity restriction in some children. Therefore, perception of child vulnerability and parental overprotection in children with CHD may represent a risk factor for physical inactivity and, ultimately, towards development of obesity.
Competency-based education

The transition from traditional/experience-based education to competency-based programs presents both philosophic and practical hurdles to be cleared.
Peptide- and proton-driven allosteric clamps catalyze anthrax toxin translocation across membranes.

Anthrax toxin is an intracellularly acting toxin in which sufficient information is available regarding the structure of its transmembrane channel, allowing for detailed investigation of models of translocation. Anthrax toxin, comprising three proteins—protective antigen (PA), lethal factor (LF), and edema factor—translocates large proteins across membranes. Here we show that the PA translocase channel has a transport function in which its catalytic active sites operate allosterically. We find that the phenylalanine clamp (ϕ-clamp), the known conductance bottleneck in the PA translocase, gates as either a more closed state or a more dilated state. Thermodynamically, the two channel states have >300-fold different binding affinities for an LF-derived peptide. The change in clamp thermodynamics requires distant α-clamp and ϕ-clamp sites. Clamp allostery and translocation are more optimal for LF peptides with uniform stereochemistry, where the least allosteric and least efficiently translocated peptide had a mixed stereochemistry. Overall, the kinetic results are in less agreement with an extended-chain Brownian ratchet model but, instead, are more consistent with an allosteric helix-compression model that is dependent also on substrate peptide coil-to-helix/helix-to-coil cooperativity.
A micro titrimetric dry combustion method for carbon

The previously described micromethod for the titrimetric determination of carbon in organic compounds has been simplified by the introduction of a modified absorption-titration vessel. Thus the change and the steaming out of this vessel after each determination have been eliminated and the procedure was rendered more practical.
An Effective Tri-Clustering Algorithm Combining Expression Data with Gene Regulation Information

Motivation: Bi-clustering algorithms aim to identify sets of genes sharing similar expression patterns across a subset of conditions. However direct interpretation or prediction of gene regulatory mechanisms may be difficult as only gene expression data is used. Information about gene regulators may also be available, most commonly about which transcription factors may bind to the promoter region and thus control the expression level of a gene. Thus a method to integrate gene expression and gene regulation information is desirable for clustering and analyzing. Methods: By incorporating gene regulatory information with gene expression data, we define regulated expression values (REV) as indicators of how a gene is regulated by a specific factor. Existing bi-clustering methods are extended to a three dimensional data space by developing a heuristic TRI-Clustering algorithm. An additional approach named Automatic Boundary Searching algorithm (ABS) is introduced to automatically determine the boundary threshold. Results: Results based on incorporating ChIP-chip data representing transcription factor-gene interactions show that the algorithms are efficient and robust for detecting tri-clusters. Detailed analysis of the tri-cluster extracted from yeast sporulation REV data shows genes in this cluster exhibited significant differences during the middle and late stages. The implicated regulatory network was then reconstructed for further study of defined regulatory mechanisms. Topological and statistical analysis of this network demonstrated evidence of significant changes of TF activities during the different stages of yeast sporulation, and suggests this approach might be a general way to study regulatory networks undergoing transformations.
Understanding Plastic Deformation Mechanism(s) in Recrystallized Zircaloy-4

It is essential to understand basic deformation mechanism(s) of conventional alloys in order to develop improved or novel alloys for their applications in much more challenging conditions. Zircaloy-4 is extensively used in pressurized water reactor for nuclear fuel cladding application. It operates at very high temperature in the presence of mechanical loads, corrosive atmosphere, and neutron irradiation environment. Present work explores the fundamental plastic deformation mechanism(s) of Zircaloy-4 in the temperature range 20 to 600 °C by subjecting tensile samples to uniaxial tensile loads under quasi-static deformation conditions. Based on the results of uniaxial tensile testing as a function of temperature, repeated stress-relaxation experiments were carried out to determine the activation volume of the alloy at 20 and 500 °C. The results from uniaxial tensile and stress-relaxation testing were used to gain insight into potential deformation mechanism(s) in Zircaloy-4.Copyright © 2017 by ASME
O-034 Blood pressure control post thrombectomy

Background Recent randomized-controlled clinical trials (RCTs) have provided evidence that timely mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) is safe and improves functional outcomes. Numerous questions regarding the optimal management of LVO patients during the post-MT period have emerged and largely remain unanswered. Specifically, the optimal blood pressure (BP) management before and after the endovascular procedure is currently unclear. Higher pre-treatment BP (BP) levels have been recently associated with adverse outcomes in LVO patients treated with MT. However, there are scarce data evaluating the impact of post-MT BP levels on early outcomes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with LVO. Methods Consecutive patients with LVO treated with MT during a 3 year period were evaluated. LVO patients with complete reperfusion following MT were stratified in 3 groups based on post-MT achieved BP goals: Results Our study population consisted of 217 AIS patients with LVO [mean age 62±14 years, 50% men, median NIHSS-score: 16 points (IQR 12–21)] who were treated with MT. Among patients with complete reperfusion (n=145) at the end of endovascular procedure (TICI 2b or 3), 10 patients achieved BP goal of Conclusion Our study provides preliminary data that a moderate BP control post MT is related to lower odds of three-month mortality in comparison to permissive hypertension. This observation requires independent confirmation in the setting of prospective, multi-center studies. Disclosures A. Pandhi: None. N. Goyal: None. G. Tsigoulis: None. J. Chang: None. K. Dillard: None. M. Ishfaq: None. K. Nearing: None. A. Choudhri: None. D. Hoit: None. A. Alexandrov: None. A. Arthur: None. L. Elijovich: None. A. Alexandrov: None.
Clinical models of decision making in addiction

As research on decision making in addiction accumulates, it is increasingly clear that decision-making processes are dysfunctional in addiction and that this dysfunction may be fundamental to the initiation and maintenance of addictive behavior. How drug-dependent individuals value and choose among drug and nondrug rewards is consistently different from non-dependent individuals. The present review focuses on the assessment of decision-making in addiction. We cover the common behavioral tasks that have shown to be fruitful in decision-making research and highlight analytical and graphical considerations, when available, to facilitate comparisons within and among studies. Delay discounting tasks, drug demand tasks, drug choice tasks, the Iowa Gambling Task, and the Balloon Analogue Risk Task are included.
Technical Advances in Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM)

Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is an innovative natural orifice flexible endoscopic procedure that involves myotomy of distal esophagus via a sub-mucosal tunneling approach. The procedure was first performed by Inoue et al. (1) and has evolved significantly since then. The focus of this update i
Small and large deformation models of post-buckled beams under lateral constraints:

This study aims at theoretically and experimentally investigating the buckling behavior of bilaterally constrained beams with respect to different geometric parameters and conditions. The theoretic...
Analytical greedy control and Q-learning for optimal power management of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles

In this paper, we present two solutions for achieving the optimal control of PHEVs on short trips. We prove, mathematically, that a greedy control policy is optimal for those short trips where the battery State-of-Charge (SoC) will not drop below its minimum threshold level. A closed-form greedy control solution is derived from the PHEV powertrain model. Furthermore, we provide a Q-learning based approach which has the capability of in-vehicle learning and is model-free. Our algorithm, combining the Neuro-Dynamic Programming (NDP) with estimated future trip information, can robustly converge to the optimal policy on both fixed and randomly selected drive cycles.
Evolution and learning for digital circuit design

We investigate the use of learning and evolution for digital hardware design. Using the reactive tabu search for discrete optimization, we show that we can learn a multiplier circuit from a set of examples. The learned circuit makes less than 2% error and uses fewer chip resources than the standard digital design. We compare use of a genetic algorithm and the reactive tabu search for fitness optimization. On a 2-bit adder design problem, the reactive tabu search performs significantly better for a similar execution time.
Learning to Teach Bilingual Students: How Teacher Candidates Appropriate Linguistically Responsive Practices

As the number of English Language Learners (ELLs) educated in general education classrooms has increased, many teacher education programs have implemented reforms intended to prepare teacher candid...
Three Mathematical Foundations for Syntax

Three different foundational ideas can be identified in recent syntactic theory: structure from substitution classes, structure from dependencies among heads, and structure as the result of optimizing preferences. As formulated in this review, it is easy to see that these three ideas are completely independent. Each has a different mathematical foundation, each suggests a different natural connection to meaning, and each implies something different about how language acquisition could work. Since they are all well supported by the evidence, these three ideas are found in various mixtures in the prominent syntactic traditions. From this perspective, if syntax springs fundamentally from a single basic human ability, it is an ability that exploits a coincidence of a number of very different things.
Deglobalization: The Rise of Disembedded Unilateralism

There is some evidence of deglobalization in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. The economic data are mixed and indicate a stall, but not a collapse, of globalization. Cross-border financi...
Processing of N5-substituted formamidopyrimidine DNA adducts by DNA glycosylases NEIL1 and NEIL3.

Abstract A variety of agents cause DNA base alkylation damage, including the known hepatocarcinogen aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and chemotherapeutic drugs derived from nitrogen mustard (NM). The N7 site of guanine is the primary site of alkylation, with some N7-deoxyguanosine adducts undergoing imidazole ring-opening to stable mutagenic N5-alkyl formamidopyrimidine (Fapy-dG) adducts. These adducts exist as a mixture of canonical β- and unnatural α-anomeric forms. The β species are predominant in double-stranded (ds) DNA. Recently, we have demonstrated that the DNA glycosylase NEIL1 can initiate repair of AFB1-Fapy-dG adducts both in vitro and in vivo, with Neil1−/− mice showing an increased susceptibility to AFB1-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we hypothesized that NEIL1 could excise NM-Fapy-dG and that NEIL3, a closely related DNA glycosylase, could excise both NM-Fapy-dG and AFB1-Fapy-dG. Product formation from the reaction of human NEIL1 with ds oligodeoxynucleotides containing a unique NM-Fapy-dG followed a bi-component exponential function under single turnover conditions. Thus, two adduct conformations were differentially recognized by hNEIL1. The excision rate of the major form (∼13.0 min−1), presumed to be the β-anomer, was significantly higher than that previously reported for 5-hydroxycytosine, 5-hydroxyuracil, thymine glycol (Tg), and AFB1-Fapy-dG. Product generation from the minor form was much slower (∼0.4 min−1), likely reflecting the rate of conversion of the α anomer into the β anomer. Mus musculus NEIL3 (MmuNEIL3Δ324) excised NM-Fapy-dG from single-stranded (ss) DNA (turnover rate of ∼0.4 min−1), but not from ds DNA. Product formation from ss substrate was incomplete, presumably because of a substantial presence of the α anomer. MmuNEIL3Δ324 could not initiate repair of AFB1-Fapy-dG in either ds or ss DNA. Overall, the data suggest that both NEIL1 and NEIL3 may protect cells against cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of NM-Fapy-dG, but NEIL1 may have a unique role in initiation of base excision repair of AFB1-Fapy-dG.
Low-Order Model for Prediction of Trailing-Edge Separation in Unsteady Flow

Computational and experimental results for pitching and plunging airfoils were used to study the time lag associated with boundary-layer convection and to develop a model that can be used to augmen...
Catastrophic shear-removal of subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath the Colorado Plateau by the subducted Farallon slab.

The causes of Cenozoic uplift of the Colorado Plateau, southwestern USA, are strongly debated, though most hypotheses acknowledge the importance of northwest-directed subduction of the Farallon oceanic plate beneath North America since c. 100 Ma. Existing thermomechanical models suggest that the Farallon slab underthrust the proto-plateau region at ~200 km depth, removing the basal portions of its subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) root, although such small-volume subduction erosion cannot fully account for the degree of uplift observed today. Here we show via petrological modeling of lawsonite-bearing eclogite xenoliths exposed in diatremes in the center of the plateau that the Farallon slab surface penetrated through the proto-plateau SCLM at much shallower depths (~120 km) than these previous estimates, allowing shear-removal of ~80 km of SCLM – a volume up to three-times greater than previously suggested. This removal led to asthenospheric upwelling and isostatic rebound of the plateau region during the late Cretaceous to the Eocene. We posit that similar shear-removal of SCLM likely played a major role in inhibiting cratonic growth and stabilization in the Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic – when low-angle subduction of oceanic lithosphere was more prevalent than today – accounting for the atypically thin roots existing below many ancient cratons worldwide.
Planning for social equity and emerging technologies

Emerging technologies such as autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, and the internet of things are rapidly advancing. Testing of autonomous vehicles is being undertaken in 24 cities across the U...
Life on a Leaf: Hatching Plasticity in Embryos of the Tobago Glass Frog (Hyalinobatrachium orientale tobagoense)

Embryonic development is often a dangerous period of the life cycle for many organisms and embryos are often viewed as helpless. Parental care can help reduce mortality in early life stages but embryonic behavior itself can also be important. To assess the ability of frog embryos to actively hatch in response to environmental cues, we conducted an experiment on embryos of the Tobago glass frog (Hyalinobatrachium orientale tobagoense). In this experiment, we compared the hatching response of embryos submerged in water and those exposed to tactile manipulation to controls. The hatching response in submerged embryos was significantly higher compared to the control (mean 52% versus 2%). However, there were no significant differences in hatching response between the embryos in the tactile manipulation treatment compared to the control. These results suggest that Tobago glass frog embryos can actively hatch in response to environmental cues indicating risk, but not all cues elicit a response.
TCT-766 Relation of Patent Foramen Ovale to Acute Mountain Sickness

More than 50% of people who rapidly ascend to extreme altitudes develop various symptoms known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), which rarely can be life-threatening. It is unclear why some people are more susceptible to AMS than others. Our objective was to determine whether patent foramen ovale (
Synthesizing and Expressing Native Ion Channels

Synthesizing and expressing ion channels in heterologous systems enable the characterization of the functional properties of these proteins. The cDNA that encodes ion channels can be amplified directly from mRNA or synthesized de novo in its entirety before cloning into an appropriate expression vector. Gibson assembly is a powerful tool that allows rapid cloning and integration of protein-coding cDNA into a variety of expression vectors. Here we describe a method in which the cDNA encoding a native snake ion channel (NaV 1.4) is synthesized in four equal-sized pieces (or blocks), and then assembled and ligated into an expression vector. Once in an appropriate expression vector, the assembled cDNA can be used for synthesis of mRNA, and the mRNA injected and expressed in Xenopus oocytes. This method has significant advantages over traditional rtPCR and ligation-based cloning including speed, cost, ease of codon optimization, and inclusion of silent restriction sites for Gibson-based mutagenesis.
Using SHRP2 naturalistic driving data to examine driver speeding behavior.

Abstract Problem: Speeding-related crashes continue to be a serious problem in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 26% of all fatal crashes in 2017 had speeding as a contributing factor. Method: Vehicle speed data recorded during the Strategic Highway Research Program 2 (SHRP 2) Naturalistic Driving Study were analyzed to identify the frequency of speeding episodes. Up to 100 trips were sampled from 2,910 individual drivers aged 16–64. Vehicle speed data from individual trips were parsed into continuous speeding episodes (SEs) and Free-Flow Episodes (FFEs), which approximated opportunities to speed. Results & Discussion: Driving 10 mph above the posted speed limit (PSL) was common, and 99.8% of drivers had at least one occurrence SE within their trip sample, yielding an average of 2.75 SEs per trip (623,202 SEs in total). The analysis focused on a subset of higher-speed SEs in which the vehicle reached speeds of at least 15 mph above the PSL during the SE (71,113 SEs in total). Average maximum speeds for most higher-speed SEs ranged between 12 mph to 15 mph above the PSL, and most also lasted less than 2 min. Most drivers spent less than 5% of the FFE time speeding, and only a small number of drivers spent more than 10% of the time speeding. There was also a clear trend towards the younger group having higher overall percentages of SE time relative to FFE time. Practical Applications: The methods and measures developed in this study provide the foundation for future analyses to determine if there are different types of speeding that vary in terms of risky characteristics, and further, if certain drivers are more likely to engage in riskier speeding behavior. Identifying higher-risk speeders is an important step for developing countermeasures and strategies targeting drivers that are at greatest risk of speed-related crashes.
GATA2 and Progesterone Receptor Interaction in Endometrial Stromal Cells Undergoing Decidualization.

The transcription factor GATA2 is important for endometrial stromal cell decidualization in early pregnancy. Progesterone receptor (PGR) is also critical during decidualization but its interaction with GATA2 in regulating genes and pathways necessary for decidualization in human endometrium are unclear. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed to compare gene expression profiles (n = 3), and chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) using an antibody against GATA2 (n = 2) was performed to examine binding to target genes in human endometrial stromal cells undergoing in vitro decidualization (IVD including estrogen, progestin, and 3',5'-cyclic AMP analogue) or vehicle treatment. We identified 1232 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in IVD vs vehicle. GATA2 cistrome in IVD-treated cells was enriched with motifs for GATA, ATF, and JUN, and gene ontology analysis of GATA2 cistrome revealed pathways that regulate cholesterol storage, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and the c-Jun N-terminal kinase cascades. Integration of RNA-seq and ChIP-seq data revealed that the PGR motif is highly enriched at GATA2 binding regions surrounding upregulated genes in IVD-treated cells. The integration of a mined public PGR cistrome in IVD-treated human endometrial cells with our GATA2 cistrome showed that GATA2 binding was significantly enhanced at PGR-binding regions in IVD vs vehicle. Interrogating 2 separate ChIP-seq data sets together with RNA-seq revealed integration of GATA2 and PGR action to coregulate biologic processes during decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells, specifically via WNT activation and stem cell differentiation pathways. These findings reveal the key pathways that are coactivated by GATA2 and PGR that may be therapeutic targets for supporting implantation and early pregnancy.
Chapter 76 – Calcium

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on calcium, which is the principal cation of bone, making up around 20% of its dry weight. Bone constitutes a very large nutrient reserve for calcium in terrestrial vertebrates, a reserve that has acquired a major mechanical function. The adult human body contains, on average, slightly more than one kg of calcium, better than 99% of which is in the form of bone and teeth. Calcium is the principal cation of bone, comprising slightly less than 40% of the mass of the bone mineral and slightly less than 20% of the dry weight of bone. Calcium exists in bone in a mineral form that is usually characterized as hydroxyapatite. Noncollagenous matrix proteins are believed to play a critical role in configuring Ca2+ and PO43– ions in space to create the hydroxyapatite template. Alkaline phosphatase, produced by the osteoblast late in the matrix deposition process, is believed to function by hydrolyzing pyrophosphate and organic phosphate esters present in the medium, which both makes extra phosphate available and removes components that otherwise function as crystal poisons, inhibiting crystal growth. The calcium required for critical cell-metabolic functions is, in most cells, derived from intracellular stores of the mineral. Bone constitutes such a large reserve of calcium that cellular functions could virtually never deplete it, no matter how low the oral intake of the nutrient. Kidney stones are perhaps the complication most often thought to be associated with high calcium intakes. However, this association has been largely speculative and not based on clinical evidence. Most multiple regression analyses of risk factors for renal calculi have found either a very weak or no association at all for calcium intake.
The Election of a President.

THE election of a president in the United States has many mathematical aspects. It is certainly appropriate for teachers to exploit student interest in presidential elections to advance the aims of mathematics classes. The electoral col lege, apportionment of representatives, population data, and many other features of a presidential election can provide in teresting and profitable mathematical ex ercises. Without difficulty one can devise good problems in arithmetic, geometry, algebra, and statistics. Almanacs and yearbooks provide data on previous presidential elections. Classes with calculators can work readily with actual population and voter totals. If a computer is available, the range of feasi ble problems is vastly extended. Alter natively, the data may be rounded and truncated to suit the convenience of a class and its interest in calculating. Ob viously, since we are trying to introduce students to important problems influenc ing their lives, we shall not wish to dwell on tedious calculations. The data in table 1, taken from the 1971 World Almanac (pp. 409 and 702), are related to presidential elections. For convenience the population figures are rounded to the nearest thousand and truncated (i.e., 4,567,732 becomes 4,568). Column 2 contains the population of each state; column 3, the number of repre sentatives allotted each state; column 4, the number of electoral votes allotted each state; and column 5, each state's population total divided by a constant.
Skewed link regression models for imbalanced binary response with applications to life insurance

For a portfolio of life insurance policies observed for a stated period of time, e.g., one year, mortality is typically a rare event. When we examine the outcome of dying or not from such portfolios, we have an imbalanced binary response. The popular logistic and probit regression models can be inappropriate for imbalanced binary response as model estimates may be biased, and if not addressed properly, it can lead to serious adverse predictions. In this paper, we propose the use of skewed link regression models (Generalized Extreme Value, Weibull, and Frechet link models) as more superior models to handle imbalanced binary response. We adopt a fully Bayesian approach for the generalized linear models (GLMs) under the proposed link functions to help better explain the high skewness. To calibrate our proposed Bayesian models, we use a real dataset of death claims experience drawn from a life insurance company's portfolio. Bayesian estimates of parameters were obtained using the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm and for Bayesian model selection and comparison, the Deviance Information Criterion (DIC) statistic has been used. For our mortality dataset, we find that these skewed link models are more superior than the widely used binary models with standard link functions. We evaluate the predictive power of the different underlying models by measuring and comparing aggregated death counts and death benefits.
Older Women’s Perspectives Driving Mammography Screening Use and Overuse: a Narrative Review of Mixed-Methods Studies

Examining what older women know and perceive about mammography screening is critical for understanding patterns of under- and overuse, and concordance with screening mammography guidelines in the USA. This narrative review synthesizes qualitative and quantitative evidence around older women’s perspectives toward mammography screening. The majority of 43 identified studies focused on promoting mammography screening in women of different ages, with only four studies focusing on the overuse of mammography in women ≥ 70 years old. Older women hold positive attitudes around screening, perceive breast cancer as serious, believe the benefits outweigh the barriers, and are worried about undergoing treatment if diagnosed. Older women have limited knowledge of screening guidelines and potential harms of screening. Efforts to address inequities in mammography access and underuse need to be supplemented by epidemiologic and interventional studies using mixed-methods approaches to improve awareness of benefits and harms of mammography screening in older racially and ethnically diverse women. As uncertainty around how best to approach mammography screening in older women remains, understanding women’s perspectives along with healthcare provider and system-level factors is critical for ensuring appropriate and equitable mammography screening use in older women.
Delirium is an important predictor of mortality in elderly patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction: insight from National Inpatient Sample database.

OBJECTIVE Delirium is a frequently encountered clinical condition in hospitalized patients and is known to be associated with poor outcomes. This study aims to assess the impacts of delirium in elderly patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) following ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS We queried the National Inpatient Samples from 2010 to 2014 to identify all patients aged 65 and older, and admitted with a primary diagnosis of STEMI undergoing PCI by using the International Classification of Diseases-Ninth Edition-Clinical Modification diagnosis codes. The patients with delirium from this cohort were further evaluated. Multivariate regression model with SPSS Statistics 25.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, USA) was used to study the association between delirium and clinical outcomes including in-hospital mortality and length of stay (LOS). RESULTS Out of weighted 42 980 patients aged ≥65 years with STEMI and PCI, delirium was present in 774 patients, accounting for 1.8% of this cohort. These patients were found to be older and had more underlying co-morbidities, compared to those without delirium [Median Charlson score 2 (1; 3) vs. 0 (0; 2); P < 0.001]. In-hospital mortality in STEMI patients with delirium was significantly higher than those without delirium [42.7% vs. 7.6%; unadjusted odds ratio (OR) 9.07; 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.55-12.57; P < 0.001; adjusted OR 1.86; 95% CI 1.13-3.04; P = 0.014]. CONCLUSION Older age and comorbidities are known predisposing factors for delirium, which is in turn associated with higher in-hospital mortality and increased LOS in elderly patients with STEMI who undergo PCI. This study underscores the role of delirium and implicates the importance of further studies in recognition and targeted care of delirium.
What Motives Drive Pornography Use

Pornography use has become widespread and mainstream in American society, with estimates that 60% of men and 35% of women have viewed pornography at some time in the last year. Pornography use has ...
Genitourinary Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors: Prevalence, Correlates, and Relationship With Sexual Functioning.

Objectives To evaluate (a) the prevalence of genitourinary symptoms, (b) which demographic and clinical factors predict genitourinary symptoms, and (c) the association between genitourinary symptoms and sexual functioning in breast cancer survivors. Sample & setting A secondary analysis of cross-sectional, patient-reported outcomes data from 1,085 breast cancer survivors was conducted. Methods & variables Prevalence and correlations with demographics, clinical factors, and sexual functioning were identified using descriptive analysis, multivariable logistic regression analysis, chi-square tests, t tests, and Pearson correlation coefficients. Results Symptoms included vaginal/vulvar irritation, pelvic discomfort, problems with urinary control, vaginal infection, and vaginal bleeding. Younger age, more comorbidities, and taking treatment for menopausal symptoms were significantly related to reporting genitourinary symptoms. Experiencing more symptoms was associated with lower sexual functioning. Implications for nursing The prevalence, correlates, and relationship of genitourinary symptoms with sexual functioning supports the assessment and treatment of these symptoms as part of routine care for breast cancer survivors.
Maturity Stages and MAP Affect the Quality Attributes and Bioactive Compounds of Cornelian Cherry Fruit (Cornus mas L.) During Cold Storage

The present research was conducted to investigate the influence of the harvest maturity stages and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on quality of cornelian cherry fruit. The cornelian cherry fruit (Cornus mas L.) were used as the plant materials in this study. Weight loss of MAP-treated fruit was lower than the untreated. At harvest and end of the storage, the greatest respiration and ethylene production rates were measured from M‑1. MAP-treated fruit were maintained firmness and had lower decay. At the end of the storage, the greatest soluble solids and acidity were obtained from M‑2. Also, vitamin C contents of M‑1+MAP were greater than M‑1, M‑2 and M‑2+MAP. At harvest and on 15th, 30th and 45th day of the storage, anthocyanin of M‑2 was greater than M‑1. At the last two periods of the storage, flavonoid contents of MAP-treated fruit were greater than the untreated. During the storage, M‑2+MAP had greater phenolic contents than the other. The greatest antioxidant activity at the end of the storage period was measured in M‑1+MAP. Cornelian cherry fruit are quite rich in anthocyanins, flavonoids, flavonols, phenolic acids and vitamins. The fruit should be harvested at proper maturity stages because of short harvest and marketing periods. Based on present findings for a prolong storage and shelf life the cornelian cherry fruit should be harvested at M‑1 stage and fruit should be cold-stored in MAP.
What Is Intersectionality

“I am a woman’s rights,” began Sojourner Truth before a packed audience at the Ohio Woman’s Rights Convention (Painter 1996: 125–6, 281–2). Her speech that May day in 1851 recounted her lived experience as a woman. It also conveyed how Truth’s gender was inextricable from her identity as an emancipated black slave and evangelical Christian. Her words were quite personal though reflected a collective experience of suffering and resilience, which resonated among the suffragists and abolitionists of antebellum America. Enslavement, poverty, and extreme manual labor also left distinct and observable marks on Truth’s body. “I have as much muscle as any man, and can do as much work as any man,” she related, “I have plowed and reaped and husked and chopped and mowed, and can any man do more than that?” (Painter 1996:125). As her heroism became less the stuff of history and more the stuff of legend, Truth’s words morphed into the powerful and political rallying cry “ain’t I a woman.” Yet, the reference to a monolithic idea of womanhood belied the diversity of women’s realities.
Healthcare Navigation of Black and White Adolescents Following Sport-Related Concussion: A Path Towards Achieving Health Equity.

CONTEXT Care-seeking behaviors for sport-related concussion (SRC) are not consistent across demographic subgroups. These differences may not only stem from health inequities but can further perpetuate disparities in care for SRCs. OBJECTIVE To determine whether racial differences exist in the care pathway from injury to SRC clinic within adolescent athletes. DESIGN Retrospective cohort Setting: Regional SRC center Participants: Of 582 total athletes, 486 (83.5%) White and 96 (16.5%) Black adolescent athletes were diagnosed with SRC and evaluated within 3 months at the SRC clinic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Race was the defined exposure, dichotomized as Black or White. The four primary outcomes included: 1)location of first health system contact, 2)time from injury to first health system contact 3) time to in-person SRC clinic visit, and 4) whether the athlete established care (>1 visit), was released immediately to an athletic trainer, or lost to follow-up. RESULTS Black and White athletes mostly presented directly to SRC clinic (61.5% vs 62.3%) at a median[interquartile range] of 3[1,5] vs 4[1,8] days respectively (p=0.821). Similar proportions of Black and White athletes also first presented to the ED (30.2% vs 27.2%) at a median of 0[0,1] vs 0[0,1] days (p=0.941). Black athletes more frequently had care transferred to their athletic trainer (39.6% vs 29.6%) and less frequently established care (56.3% vs 64.0%), however these differences were not statistically significant (p=0.138). Lost to follow-up was uncommon among Black and White athletes alike (4.2% vs 6.4%). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that within an established SRC referral network and multidisciplinary clinic, there were no observed racial disparities in how athletes were initially managed and/or ultimately presented to SRC clinic despite racial differences in school type and insurance coverage. SRC center assimilation and affiliation with school systems may be helpful in improving access and providing equitable care across diverse patient demographics.
Yttrium-90 SIR Sphere Spills: A Pilot Study to Determine Efficient Clean-up Practices

2075 Introduction: Y-90 SIR-Spheres are Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) radiopharmaceutical agents that are encased in microscopic glass spheres, suspended in saline solution. According to Sirtex, recommended clean-up procedures involve damp wipes while wearing booties, gloves, and discarding waste into a radiation labeled trash bag. However, according to literature and experience with a local clinical spill indicates that damp wipes may not be adequate to control SIR-Spheres that have escaped solution. We aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of different cleaning techniques on dry Y-90 SIR-Spheres, compared to the recommended method. Methods: We “spilled” Y-90 SIR-Spheres in the middle of 10 independent 1ft2 tile areas surrounded by absorbent pads within 10 3ft2 inch thick plywood boxes. (Figure 1) The Y-90 SIR-Spheres were allowed to dry overnight, so all spheres were out of solution. Various cleaning methods were implemented: manufacturer control, contact paper clean up, and Swiffer wet mop. Measured outcomes included the ratio of pre to post cleaning GM survey meter exposure readings. Due to low sample size, non-parametric exact Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to determine differences in exposure ratios among the cleaning types. All statistical tests were conducted assuming a 5% chance of a type 1 error, using SAS 9.4 (Cary NC). Results: The damp paper towel and wet mop methods were superior to contact paper methods. (p=0.0006, p=0.0005). (Figure 2) There was no difference between the damp paper towel and wet mop methods, nor were the variability of the clean-up different. (p=0.6826, p=0.2501 respectively) Conclusions: Both the damp paper towels and wet mop methods cleaned a higher percentage compared to the adhesive paper method. Both show a high percentage of first cleaning contamination removal. We feel the wet mop is an easier method for large areas, and may be easier from a practical perspective. Figure 1: 3ft2 Plywood Sample Boxes and Absorbent Pads Ready for Controlled Y-90 SpillFigure 2: Y-90 SIR-Spheres Post-decontamination Percent Exposure Decrease Among Damp Towels and Wet Mop Methods (Wilcoxon p=0.6826, Ansari-Bradly p=0.2501)
The role of nutritional factors in cellular protection against DNA damage, altered gene expression and malignant transformation.

In recent years data from epidemiological studies and laboratory experiments have revealed numerous links between diet and cancer1.