cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
American Ginseng Transcriptionally Activates p21 mRNA in Breast Cancer Cell Lines

American ginseng (AG) has been demonstrated to inhibit breast cancer cell growth in vitro. p21 protein, a universal cell cycle inhibitor, binds cyclin-CDK complexes, an important mechanism in cell cycle regulation. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if AG induces p21 gene expression in hormone sensitive (MCF-7) and insensitive (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cell lines. Cells grown in steroid stripped medium (SSM) were treated with AG, 17-beta-estradiol (E2), genistein or cycloheximide (CHX). Northern blot analyses were performed using human p21Cip1 and 36B4 cDNA probes. Cell lines were transiently transfected with select mouse p21 CAT reporter constructs, including those lacking a p53 binding site. Cell cycle analyses was performed by FACScan. The results revealed that AG induced p21 mRNA expression in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells (p=0.0004; p < or =0.0001, respectively). Neither E2 nor genistein alter p21 mRNA expression. CHX, a protein synthesis inhibitor, did not block p21 mRNA expression induced by AG, indicating that p21 is induced as an immediate early gene. AG activated p21 reporter constructs in transfected cells, independent of p53 binding sites. The cell cycle proliferative phase was significantly decreased by AG and increased by E2 (p < or =0.0001). AG may inhibit breast cancer cell growth by transcriptional activation of the p21 gene, independent of p53.
Statin use and lipid levels in older adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001 to 2006

Background Statins are the evidence-based drugs of choice for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Objective Statin use has increased in those ≥65 years, but patterns of use in subgroups of elderly are unknown. Methods Weighted data from the 2001 through 2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were combined for this analysis. Results Statin use increased in all sex, age, and risk categories between the 2001-2002 and 2005-2006 surveys, when the greatest use was by men 65 to 74 years of age with CVD (80%), followed by women with CVD who were 65-79 of age (64%-69%), women and men with diabetes who were 65-69 years of age (56% and 94%, respectively); statins were used by P ≤ .001). A significant interaction between age and sex was found, where 75- to 79-year-old women were more likely to report statin use than men 65-69 years of age (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.29–3.35). In general, those ages 65-69 years were more likely to use a statin than those ≥70 years (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.39–1.08, P = .08). Nonwhite persons aged ≥70 years reported less statin use than whites aged 65-69 (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.10–0.30). Mexican-American subjects were less likely to report statin use than whites. Conclusions Although statin use has increased substantially over time, statins remain underused in both the primary and secondary prevention of CVD in the elderly, with some evidence of disparities by sex, advancing age, and race/ethnicity.
The Role of Emotion Regulation in the Social Problems of Boys With Developmental Delays

Parents and teachers reported that 6- to 8-year-old boys with developmental delays were less able to regulate their emotions than nondelayed boys matched on chronological age. Compared to nondelayed boys, boys with developmental delays had more social problems, which persisted and increased over a 3-year period. Children's ability to regulate their emotions explained significant variance in their social problems after controlling for their developmental status. In addition, emotion regulation partially mediated the relationship between children's developmental status and their social problems. These results suggest that emotion regulation plays a significant role in the social problems of boys with developmental delays. Furthermore, increasing the emotional competence of these children may facilitate their peer relationships and, ultimately, their school adjustment. This research was supported in part by grants from the Washington Association for Retarded Citizens and the University of Washington. Section...
COMMERCIAL DRIVER REST AND PARKING REQUIREMENTS: MAKING SPACE FOR SAFETY

The research described in this paper sought to address a perceived need for additional commercial vehicle parking space along U.S. Interstate highways by generating (a) a nationwide description of truck parking spaces at public rest areas, (b) detailed models of trucker demand for and utilization of public rest area parking spaces, and (c) an evaluation of the ability of privately owned truck stops throughout the country to accommodate parking needs. Most commercial drivers, motor carriers, and even some privately owned truck stop operators acknowledged that there are parking shortages at some locations at certain times. The research projected a current shortfall of 28,400 truck parking spaces in public rest areas nationwide. It also projected that about one-third of privately owned truck stop operators plan to expand their parking facilities over the next 3 years, increasing total projected capacity at truck stops by about 28,000 spaces. Although some of the shortfall at public rest areas might be satisfied by private expansion efforts, variations in survey methodologies precluded any conclusive determination of substitutability. In addition, the truck drivers surveyed did not appear to substitute privately owned truck stops for public rest areas. The two appear to serve different functions and meet different needs. Although just over half of the sampled drivers expressed a preference for public rest areas for short-term needs, two-thirds indicated a preference for privately owned truck stops for overnight or long-term rest needs. The apparent shortfall of truck parking spaces nationwide is a problem requiring creative resolution by both the public and private sectors to ensure that commercial drivers needing a safe place to stop and rest can find one.
Differentiation Matching in School Desegregation Workshops

The effectiveness of matching the conceptual structure of participants in educational training and psychotherapy experiences has been demonstrated in previous research. This paper describes an attempt to test the effectiveness of this model in a school desegregation workshop designed to promote a mandatory bussing proposal by a local school board. Differentiation matching had little effect on participants' global judgments of satisfaction with workshop goals but was significantly and inversely related to the decision to voluntarily bus a child, especially among blacks. Abstractness of topics discussed affected participant endorsement of workshop goals but did not affect bussing decision. The findings suggest that how such workshops are organized is dependent on whether the workshop success is to be evaluated on the basis of community public relations or actual decisions to bus children.
Transverse-momentum and angular distributions of hadroproduced muon pairs

We study the angular distribution of muons in the dimuon rest frame from pp ..-->.. ..mu mu..*;mX at high energy and large dimuon mass. Including smearing due to quark transverse momenta, we show that the Drell-Yan model predicts a polar angular distribution in the t-channel helicity frame of 1 + ..cap alpha.. cos/sup 2/theta with ..cap alpha.. > or approx. = 0.8. Experimental deviations from this prediction would case serious doubt on the Drell-Yan picture.
Technical Note-A Linear-Programming Approach to Air-Cleaner Design

This note deals with the application of linear programming to air-cleaner design, a mechanical engineering problem. It uses the simplex method to find an optimal solution under the restrictions of dust-collection efficiency, pressure loss, material shortage, minimum demand requirements, and scrap economics.
A Numerical Method for the Calculation of Transient Response in Mesoscopic Devices

The transient behavior in 1-D quantum devices such as the resonant tunneling diode are commonly modeled using numerical Wigner Function methods (Ravaioli et al, 1985; Frensley, 1987). However, modeling 2-D and 3-D mesoscopic devices, such as T-structure (Sols et al, 1989) and Aharonov-Bohm effect (Datta et al., 1985) transistors, presents a problem: for an n dimensional structure: Wigner function calculations are 2n dimensional and thus the computational time required quickly becomes prohibitive. As an alternative, direct solution of Schrodinger’s equation remains n dimensional, and while a summation over incident states is required, this summation often will be limited in momentum space. In this paper, we present preliminary results of numerical calculations based on the solution of the 2-D Schrodinger equation which include absorbing boundary conditions for the proper simulation of the device as an open system.
Estimating Numbers of Greater Prairie‐Chickens Using Mark‐Resight Techniques

Abstract Current monitoring efforts for greater prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus) populations indicate that populations are declining across their range. Monitoring the population status of greater prairie-chickens is based on traditional lek surveys (TLS) that provide an index without considering detectability. Estimators, such as immigration–emigration joint maximum-likelihood estimator from a hypergeometric distribution (IEJHE), can account for detectability and provide reliable population estimates based on resightings. We evaluated the use of mark–resight methods using radiotelemetry to estimate population size and density of greater prairie-chickens on 2 sites at a tallgrass prairie in the Flint Hills of Kansas, USA. We used average distances traveled from lek of capture to estimate density. Population estimates and confidence intervals at the 2 sites were 54 (CI 50–59) on 52.9 km2 and 87 (CI 82–94) on 73.6 km2. The TLS performed at the same sites resulted in population ranges of 7–34 an...
Vibrational Sum Frequency Spectroscopy and Molecular Dynamics Simulation of the Carbon Tetrachloride-Water and 1,2-Dichloroethane-Water Interfaces

Vibrational sum frequency (VSF) spectra calculated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are compared with VSF experimental spectra to gain a clearer picture of water structure and bonding at the carbon tetrachloride−water (CCl4−H2O) and the 1,2-dichloroethane−water (DCE−H2O) liquid−liquid interfaces. The VSF spectral response from interfacial water at the CCl4−H2O interface contains spectral features similar to the resonant VSF response of the vapor−water interface and alkane−water interfaces, while the VSF spectrum from the DCE−H2O interface has a low signal with no distinguishing OH stretch spectral features. These MD based spectral calculations show how different bonding interactions at the DCE−H2O interface lead to spectral broadening, frequency shifting, and spectral interferences that are responsible for the difference in the experimentally measured DCE−H2O and CCl4−H2O spectra. The computational results show that weak H2O−H2O interactions are perturbed by the presence of DCE, leading to increa...
Optimization of powertrain operating policy for feasibility assessment and calibration: stochastic dynamic programming approach

An approach based on stochastic dynamic programming is proposed to develop optimal operating policies for automotive powertrain systems. The goal is to minimize fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions. Unlike in the conventional approach, the minimization is performed not for a predetermined drive cycle, but in a stochastic "average" sense over a class of trajectories from an underlying Markov chain drive cycle generator. The objective of this paper is to introduce the approach and illustrate its applications. with several examples.
Validation of the orthogonal tilt reconstruction method with a biological test sample

Electron microscopy of frozen-hydrated samples (cryo-EM) can yield high resolution structures of macromolecular complexes by accurately determining the orientation of large numbers of experimental views of the sample relative to an existing 3D model. The "initial model problem", the challenge of obtaining these orientations ab initio, remains a major bottleneck in determining the structure of novel macromolecules, chiefly those lacking internal symmetry. We previously proposed a method for the generation of initial models--orthogonal tilt reconstruction (OTR)--that bypasses limitations inherent to the other two existing methods, random conical tilt (RCT) and angular reconstitution (AR). Here we present a validation of OTR with a biological test sample whose structure was previously solved by RCT: the complex between the yeast exosome and the subunit Rrp44. We show that, as originally demonstrated with synthetic data, OTR generates initial models that do not exhibit the "missing cone" artifacts associated with RCT and show an isotropic distribution of information when compared with the known structure. This eliminates the need for further user intervention to solve these artifacts and makes OTR ideal for automation and the analysis of heterogeneous samples. With the former in mind, we propose a set of simple quantitative criteria that can be used, in combination, to select from a large set of initial reconstructions a subset that can be used as reliable references for refinement to higher resolution.
Program Evaluation and Quality Management

The steady outcry for demonstrating quality outcomes for community psychiatry and public mental health programs is long standing and has been responded to in various ways—from a collective yawn in some quarters to outstanding efforts and advances in others. While most of the laborers in the mental health field are highly conscientious and diligent in providing proven, effective and high-quality services, the ability to demonstrate that this is the case can be quite challenging. The mechanics of program evaluation can be daunting when working at the level of an agency or mental health system. More practical efforts typically examine new or distinct programs of limited size and scope and employ methods usually seen in experimental studies of mental health interventions, or quasi-experimental approaches without a defined comparison or control group. Repeated measures approaches can lend themselves to program evaluation projects where baseline data is collected and follow-ups occur at subsequent intervals comparing the same individuals to themselves over time. In addition to these well-established approaches to program evaluation, other valuable and sometimes less demanding methods have been developed. These include program fidelity measurement, quality of life and treatment satisfaction surveys, organizational readiness and atmosphere surveys, evidence-based practice implementation, and reference-based benchmarking methodologies.
Meta-Analysis: A Primer for Legal Scholars

Empirical research relevant to legal issues is common in other disciplines, and is once again growing more common in the legal academy. Such research, however, varies widely in theoretical and methodological rigor, and at times yields widely different results. Such disparate findings may bring into question the usefulness of such empirical research, and may render it suspect in the eyes of practitioners, courts, and policy-makers. One approach to helping address such concerns is meta-analysis - the quantitative, rather than simply narrative review of empirical research. Meta-analysis synthesizes the relevant empirical literature, statistically summarizing the results of all empirical work in a particular area; and also identifies moderator variables, aspects of the various studies that might have influenced their findings. In this article I explain the importance of the meta-analytic approach, discussing what it is, why it is useful to members of the legal system, and the straightforward way of conducting a meta-analysis. This primer should be useful to legal academics, policy-makers, courts, and practitioners.
ATCC 7941 IS NOT MUCOR MUCEDO

ATCC 7941 has been listed in the ATCC records as Mucor mucedo since 1941. However, ATCC 7941 is M. circinelloides f. circinelloides (-). Twelve published reports involving ATCC 7941 as M. mucedo were located, and are discussed briefly.
Outpatient Robotic Radical Prostatectomy: Matched-Pair Comparison with Inpatient Surgery.

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate our initial experience with outpatient robotic radical prostatectomy (RRP) and to prospectively compare outcomes with an inpatient RRP group. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective study on 30 carefully selected, motivated patients consenting for outpatient RRP (2011–2013). Inclusion criteria comprised age <65 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists score <3, body mass index <35 kg/m2, localized prostate cancer, and primary treatment. Postoperatively, close monitoring was conducted by telephone for the first 24 hours, with routine follow-up subsequently. This outpatient group was prospectively matched 1:1 with a concurrent inpatient RRP group who satisfied inclusion criteria for, but did not undergo, outpatient RRP. Validated questionnaires were administered prospectively to determine patient satisfaction and functional outcomes. Results: All outpatient RRP procedures were performed effectively. Twenty-six patients (87%) were discharged the same day of surgery...
Aeroelastic Flutter at the Free Edges of Uni-Axially Tensioned Webs and Thin Films

Aero elastic flutter may play an important role in the breakage of thin membrane-like structures (a.k.a. webs) found in paper-handling, textile, sheet-metal and magnetic tapes industry. In this article, we examine the aero elastic stability of a web modeled as a uni-axially tensioned (along the machine direction) low aspect ratio Kirchhoff plate, which is subject to a fluid flow in the cross machine direction. Panel methods based on the distribution of singularity solutions (sources and doublets) on the surface of the web are used to numerically solve the problem of 3D unsteady potential flow surrounding the web. The equation of motion of the plate coupled to a fluid flow is discretized by using Galerkin’s method. The discretization is performed in the configuration space formulation of the gyroscopic eigenvalue problem. The linear stability of this reduced order system is investigated. The onset of flutter instability as a function of base fluid flow in the cross machine direction is studied. The effects of fluid coupling on the frequencies and modes of oscillations of the web are also studied.© 2005 ASME
Comparison of Snail Control Effect in Habitat Covered with or without Black Plastic Mulch

Objective To observe effect of snail control in snail habitat covered with or without the black plastic mulch after half a year.Method 12 sections were chosen as the pilot sites from a ditch,and 6 of them,were covered with black plastic mulch,after being sprayed with different concentrations of niclosamide: 0g/m2,2g/m2,4g/m2,6g/m2,8g/m2,10g/m2.And the another 6 sections were spayed with niclosamide of blank,2g/m2,4g/m2,6g/m2,8g/m2,10g/m2 only.Snail survey were made before and 10,30,90,180 days after experiment.Result In 6 sections covered with black plastic mulch,the mortality rate 180 days after experiment of each section was 79.07%,70.59%,70.37%,83.54%,78.79%,88.37%,and the decline rate of living snail density was 92.74%,94.86%,92.91%,95.89%,94.61%,99.12%.However in the 6 sections without black plastic mulch 180 days after experiment,the mortality rate of each group section was 1.20%,12.28%,2.23%,16.00%,37.93%,48.15%, and the decline rate of living snail density was-0.40%,39.02%,50.61%,64.99%,64.72%,79.41%.Conclusion Snail habitat covered with black plastic mulch could significantly increase snail mortality and decrease living snail density.
Investigation on Protection Status of X-ray Machine in Diqing

[Objective]To investigate the protection status of X-ray Machine in Diqing of Yunnan Province,and explore the measures for improving protective quality.[Methods]Field measurement and investigation were conducted based on national relevant standards and requirements.[Results]There were 23 X-ray machines in Diqing of Yunnan Province,the over standard rate of protective performance was 60.9%.No independent control room,protection of each part in machine room(operating position,the control room,outside the window,the work warning lights)did not meet the requirements,the over standard rates ranged from 40% to 72%.[Conclusion]Strengthening the status inspection,standardizing quality control and enhancing the security knowledge of operators were the important measures to improving quality radiological protection.
Fatty Acid Metabolism and Cancer

Within the last decade, fatty acid metabolism has become a focus of cancer biology and translational research. Fatty acid synthesis, a pathway found in liver and adipose tissue, which transforms excess dietary carbohydrate calories to fatty acids for energy storage, has been found to be expressed in many (if not most) human cancers. As cancers do not store appreciable amounts of triglycerides, the regulation and function of this pathway has been a focus of active research in cancer biology. As inhibition of type I mammalian fatty acid synthase is cytotoxic to human cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo , cancer cells rely on the function of this pathway for survival and it is thought to contribute to energy balance in the cancer cell. FASN has also been found to circulate in the blood of cancer patients, which has sparked interest in its diagnostic utility. Immunohistochemical detection of a branched fatty acid, racemase, has become a widely accepted marker to aid in the pathological diagnosis of prostate cancer on biopsies. This article summarizes the biochemistry and cell biology of fatty acid metabolism in cancer and highlights its application to cancer biology, diagnosis, and therapy.
Peripheral and central mechanisms of chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Dr Sluka is a professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science at the University of Iowa (IA, USA). She is also a member of the Pain Research Program and the Neuroscience Graduate Program. She received a physical therapy degree from Georgia State University (GA, USA) and practiced physical therapy pain management in Houston (TX, USA) before obtaining a PhD in Anatomy from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston (TX, USA). After a postdoctoral fellowship with Dr William D Willis, she joined the faculty at the University of Iowa. Dr Sluka’s research focuses on the neurobiology of musculoskeletal pain, as well as the mechanisms and effectiveness of nonpharmacological pain treatments commonly used by physical therapists. She has published over 140 peer-reviewed manuscripts, numerous book chapters and a textbook on Pain Mechanisms and Management for the Physical Therapist. She has received numerous awards including the Marian Williams Award for Research in Physical Therapy...
Apolipoprotein Genes: Organization, Linkage and Evolution

In the past three years all of the genes coding for the major human apolipoproteins have been cloned and sequenced. Using these cloned DNA sequences as probes for i) genomic blotting analysis of DNA from interspecies somatic cell hybrids, i i) in situ hybridization of metaphase chromosomes, i i i) chromosomal “walking” by isolation and characterization of overlapping genomic clones, iv) genetic cosegregation of polymorphic DNA markers in family studies, and v) genomic blotting analysis of chromosomal DNA resolved by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, it has been possible to determine the chromosomal localization and linkage relationships between all of these genes. Several conclusions have emerged. First, certain apolipoprotein genes are physically linked (i.e. clustered). For example, the apolipoprotein AI (apoAI), CIII (apoCIII) and AIV (apoAIV) genes are clustered within a 15 kilobase (kb) DNA fragment on the long arm of human chromosome 11 (1). Similarly, the apolipoprotein E (apoE), CI (apoCI) and CII (apoCII) genes are clustered within an approximately 50 kb DNA segment on the long arm of chromosome 19 (2). In contrast, the apolipoprotein AII (apoAII), B (apoB) and D (apoD) are dispersed on separate chromosomes, chromosomes 1, 2 and 3 respectively (reviewed in ref. 3).
Hyper-structured illumination(Conference Presentation)

Supporting propagating modes with the wavenumbers unlimited by the frequency, hyperbolic metamaterials can dramatically improve the imaging resolution of the structured illumination microscopy.
Product authentication using hash chains and printed QR codes

In this paper, we explore the usage of printed tags to authenticate products. Printed tags are a cheap alternative to RFID and other tag based systems and do not require specialized equipment. Due to the simplistic nature of such printed codes, many security issues like tag impersonation, server impersonation, reader impersonation, replay attacks and denial of service present in RFID based solutions need to be handled differently. We propose a cost-efficient scheme based on static tag based hash chains to address these security threats. We analyze the security characteristics of this scheme and compare it to other product authentication schemes that use RFID tags. Finally, we show that our proposed statically printed QR codes can be at least as secure as RFID tags.
Reinventing Flashcards to Increase Student Learning

Two studies examined the effectiveness of a flashcard-based study strategy, Flashcards-Plus, in an ecologically valid context. The strategy requires students to create flashcards designed to increa...
Electroencephalographic Spikes and Sharp Waves

Epileptiform spikes and sharp waves are the electroencephalographic signatures of epilepsy. When appropriately identified, the false positive rate is low, but this entails careful differentiation from artifacts, physiological transients, and a range of benign variants of sharply contoured morphology. Interictal epileptiform spikes, sharp waves, and spike and slow wave complexes can serve to confirm a diagnosis of epilepsy in the appropriate clinical context, differentiate between focal and generalized seizure disorders, and help to obtain precise classification of the epilepsy syndrome. Furthermore, the electroencephalogram can help in prognostication at several points in the course of the epileptic disorder.
The Carotid Cistern and Environs

The carotid cistern, the chiasmatic cistern, and the cistern of the lamina terminalis lie rostral to the arachnoid membrane of Liliequist (membrane of Key and Retzius). Surgical observations regarding the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) cisterns and their compartmental divisions are described elsewhere [3]. Figure 6.1 is a coronal computed tomography (CT) image (a cisternogram) that nicely illustrates the relationship of the internal carotid artery to the carotid cistern bounded laterally by the medial portion of the temporal lobe. Posteriorly the carotid cistern is separated from the interpeduncular cistern (see Chapter 8) by the arachnoid membrane of Liliequist; medially the carotid cistern joins the chiasmatic and lamina terminalis cisterns and superiorly it joins the sylvian cistern (fissure). In Fig. 6.1 note the bifurcation of the internal carotid artery into the middle cerebral artery (M-l segment) and the anterior cerebral artery (A-l segment).
Contrasting Photosynthetic Responses of Two Dominant Macrophyte Species to Seasonal Inundation in an Everglades Freshwater Prairie

The Everglades short-hydroperiod freshwater prairies exhibit strong reductions in CO2 uptake that coincide with inundation, but the underlying basis is not fully understood. To address one of the processes potentially underlying this decline, we measured photosynthetic capacity of the dominant species, sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) and muhly grass (Muhlenbergia filipes), during wet and dry seasons (2009–2012 and 2016–2017). The measurements in the seasonally inundated prairie were compared to those taken on a nearby rarely inundated levee situated 29 cm above the prairie with similar species composition. During the dry seasons, muhly grass exhibited a much higher photosynthetic capacity (28.5 μmol m−2 s−1) than sawgrass (14.2 μmol m−2 s−1), and no differences were found between the prairie and levee for either species. During the wet seasons when the prairie was inundated, photosynthetic capacity declined substantially (67%) in the prairie for muhly grass while it remained similar across seasons for sawgrass. Analyses of leaf reflectance, chlorophyll fluorescence and leaf nutrient indicated photosystem impairment was the main driver of photosynthetic capacity reduction for muhly grass when the ecosystem is inundated. Our study suggests that declines in photosynthesis of macrophytes, particularly muhly grass, contribute to low wet season productivity in Everglades short-hydroperiod freshwater prairies.
Predictors, utilization patterns, and overall survival of patients undergoing metastasectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the era of targeted therapy.

Abstract Introduction Metastasectomy (MSX) is considered a treatment option in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) at diagnosis, but its role in the targeted therapy era is unclear. We sought to describe the utilization trends of MSX and survival outcomes in a large US cohort. Materials and methods Using the National Cancer Database, we identified patients undergoing MSX for mRCC at diagnosis between 2006 and 2013. Linear regression methods estimated utilization trends, and hierarchical models identified independent predictors of MSX after adjusting for hospital clustering. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate overall survival according to treatment after propensity-score matching. Results Of 6994 mRCC patients, 1976 underwent MSX (28.3%). Those treated at academic facilities were more likely to undergo a MSX (OR: 1.57, 95% CI 1.20–2.06, p = 0.001). In contrast, older patients (OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98–1.00), black race (OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.51–0.82), higher pT stage (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.65–0.89), and who received targeted therapy (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.63–0.82, all p ≤ 0.008) were less likely to undergo MSX. Overall, MSX patients had an improved survival compared to non-MSX patients (HR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.77–0.90, p Conclusions Our findings indicate that MSX-treated patients may benefit from an improved overall survival compared to non-MSX treated patients. Good patient selection and a proper risk stratification strategy are still very important considerations.
Factor IX from prothrombin complex concentrate augments low dose tissue factor-triggered thrombin generation in vitro.

Abstract Background Prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) is increasingly used to correct acquired coagulopathy in trauma and surgery. Dosing of PCC is guided by the prothrombin time, which only reflects the onset of thrombin generation, but does not account for variations in intrinsic pathway coagulation factors, including factor IX (FIX). We hypothesised that FIX contained in PCC could strongly influence thrombin generation patterns. Methods Pooled normal, FIX-deficient, and warfarinised plasma were used to analyse the effects of FIX contained in PCC. PCC was evaluated at final concentrations of 0.2 and 0.4 IU ml−1 in FIX-deficient and normal plasma, and at 0.6 IU ml−1 in warfarinised plasma with elevated FVIII (1.5 IU ml−1), 40% dilution with saline, or both. The effects on thrombin generation were assessed by measuring both procoagulant and inhibitory segments. Results FIX-deficient plasma had lower peak thrombin generation [30.6 (20.5–35.8) nM vs 130.2 (107–168) nM] and endogenous thrombin potential [472 (391–532) nM vs 1096 (958–1190) nM] than normal plasma. PCC addition resulted in significant increases of peak thrombin generation [81.8 (37.3–98.3) nM] and endogenous thrombin potential [808 (472–842) nM] in FIX-deficient plasma. The combination of FVIII and PCC resulted in greater increases relative to each agent alone, restoring normal thrombin generation. After 40% dilution, adding PCC, FVIII, or both, to FIX-deficient plasma increased peak thrombin generation, and prolonged the inhibitory phase of the endogenous thrombin potential. Conclusions FIX derived from PCC strongly enhances tissue factor-triggered thrombin generation in the presence of elevated FVIII activity. Haemodilution further enhances procoagulant effects of FIX and FVIII by slowing down inhibition of procoagulant enzymes. Dosing of PCC per prothrombin time may underestimate PCC's procoagulant potential because it does not account for intrinsic tenase or antithrombin activity.
Validation of the USDA/ARS package rinse method for recovery of Listeria monocytogenes from naturally contaminated, commercially prepared frankfurters.

The utility of the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Service (USDA/ARS) package rinse method for recovering Listeria monocytogenes from the surface of contaminated foods was validated in comparison to the standard USDA/Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) product composite enrichment method and two other methods using frankfurters from a lot with a known package prevalence rate of approximately 16% for this pathogen. One hundred packages from this batch of naturally contaminated, commercially prepared frankfurters were examined as follows: (i) the package exudative fluid was removed and tested using the standard USDA/FSIS product composite enrichment method; (ii) approximately 5 to 7 portions of frankfurters were removed to obtain a 25-g composite of meat that was then processed using the standard USDA/FSIS product composite enrichment method: (iii) 50 ml of 0.1% peptone water was added to each package, and the USDA/ARS package rinse method was performed on the remaining contents; and (iv) after removing the rinse fluid, the solid contents remaining in each package were directly enriched using the USDA/FSIS product composite enrichment method. These four methods identified that 7, 6, 15, and 9 of the 100 packages tested positive for the pathogen, respectively. Although no single approach yielded a positive result for every package that tested positive for L. monocytogenes by any one of the four sampling strategies, the USDA/ARS package rinse method was appreciably (P < 0.05) better than either the package exudate enrichment method or the standard USDA/FSIS product composite enrichment method at recovering the bacterium. These findings validate the sensitivity and ease of use of the USDA/ARS package rinse method using naturally contaminated frankfurters and argue strongly for its adoption for routine screening of ready-to-eat products that are prone to surface contamination with undesirable microbes such as L. monocytogenes.
Micro- and Macrovascular Disease in Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetes is often defined a “vascular disease” because of the early and extensive involvement of the vascular-tree observed in patients with diabetes and even in those at risk of developing diabetes. Both the micro- and macrocirculation are affected. Changes in the micro- and macrocirculation, both anatomical and functional, contribute to the development of diabetic neuropathy. On the other hand, the development of diabetic neuropathy also affects the vasodilatory capacity of the microcirculation. Thus, the interaction between changes in the vasculature and peripheral nerves is bidirectional and results in changes in both blood flow and neuronal function. The possible links between diabetic micro- and macrovascular alterations and nerve damage will be the focus of this chapter.
Anatomy of Mishima's Most Successful Play Rokumeikan

i Dedication ii Acknowledgements iii Author’s Note v Introduction 1 Mishima and Drama 4 Production History of Rokumeikan 6 The Historical Rokumeikan Building 8 Rokumeikan Plot Summary 11 Characteristics of Rokumeikan 15 Performers’ insights and approaches to Rokumeikan: Sugimura Haruko, Mizutani Yaeko, and Nomura Reiko 21 Critical Approaches to Rokumeikan: Japanese 27 Critical Analysis Based on Western Literary Theory: Power, Truth and Sexuality in Michel Foucault 35 What Creates truth in Rokumeikan? Power or Love? 42 Conclusion 46 References 49 Appendix 55
Extensions of c0

If X is a closed subspace of a Banach space L which embeds into a Banach lattice not containing l∞n's uniformly and L/X contains l∞n's uniformly, then X cannot have local unconditional structure in the sense of Gordon-Lewis (GL-l.u.st.).
Mothers’ Selection of Future Primary Caregivers in Rural West Java, Indonesia

This study analyzes mothers' preference of a future primary caregiver by using within-family analysis approach in the context of Sundanese population in rural West Java, Indonesia. This is a cross-sectional study involving healthy mothers (60-69 years old) with a perfect score of Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL), and who had at least two living children. The within-family analysis of a selection of future caregivers was conducted based on the report from 177 mothers of their 904 children using multilevel modeling with binomial outcome. Being a daughter, older, emotionally the closest to the mother, having supported the mother in the past, being perceived as future bequest receiver, and being geographically closer to mother increased the chance of being selected as preferred future primary caregivers. There were also cross-level effects of socioeconomic status (SES) on the selection of future primary caregivers by mothers, where poor mothers tend to pick poor children as their future primary caregivers. The results were contrasted to the findings from a similar study conducted in the United States. In addition, the importance of knowledge about future care preference and its implications for intervention is discussed.
Interpreting the Eigenbasis of Principal Component Analysis to Identify Design Space Regions of Interest

Computational models are a valuable tool for predicting the behavior of complex systems in regimes that are difficult, or infeasible to test. Uncertainties in a model resulting from lack of knowledge regarding parameters needed to define system behavior raise concern in simulations predictions, particularly those in extreme operating regimes. In such cases, calibration and validation of numerical models across a large operational domain is beneficial, but creates a high dimensional domain in which the model must be tested. Statistical decomposition methods present an ability to reduce the dimensionality of a measured or simulated quantity while maintaining relevant correlations across the domain, therefore providing insight to important relationships between input parameters and system response throughout many loading scenarios. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is a commonly used statistical decomposition method used to produce a low order projection from a higher dimensional space. Herein, we evaluate a specific component of PCA, the eigenvectors providing statistical weighting to explanatory variables, to identify variable model sensitivity across high dimensional operational domains. The concept is demonstrated by simulation of an elasto-plastic material undergoing tensile testing at variable loading conditions. Results indicate that the eigenbasis reveals distinct relationships between a model’s behavior and uncertain parameters, even when the relationship is not readily apparent and without relying on any a priori knowledge of system or material behavior.
Potential interventions targeting adolescent nutrition in Indonesia: a literature review.

Objective The present study aimed to take stock of nutrition interventions that warrant consideration as a minimum package of interventions in Indonesia to improve four key nutrition indicators for adolescents: stunting, thinness, overweight and anaemia. Design We conducted a review of the peer-reviewed literature published between 1995 and 2017 on nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions that target adolescents in Indonesia. The search to identify studies was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar and EMBASE, using key search terms. We also explored programmatic and policy documents from the grey literature as they related to adolescents and/or Indonesia. Our search yielded thirty-five peer-reviewed articles and programmatic documents. Setting Indonesia. Subjects Adolescent girls and boys. Results There is very limited evidence on the impact of interventions specifically among adolescents in Indonesia. Nevertheless, findings from our review suggest the minimum package of interventions in Indonesia could include the following nutrition-specifc interventions: (i) iron-folic acid supplements, paired with antihelminths delivered at scale via school-based platforms and through health centres; and (ii) diet counselling and nutrition education provided through school-based platforms, adolescent youth centres/peer education and technology-based platforms. The minimum package could also include the following nutrition-sensitive interventions: (i) improving access to reproductive health services; and (ii) increasing the coverage of interventions designed to increase school attendance. Conclusions Programmes and policies targeting adolescent nutrition are relatively new and coverage is low. To improve the nutritional status of this vulnerable population, additional evaluations of adolescent programming and surveillance data on adolescents are needed.
Creating No-Textbook IT Courses - Yes It Can Work For You

One of the largest expenses for university students is the cost of textbooks. This is particularly true in the STEM areas. Data shows that course textbooks cost more and more every year. Textbook costs have risen 812% since 1978 and 73% since 2006 - which is four times the rate of inflation. The College Board recommends that students budget at least $1200 per year for textbook costs. Over 1/3 of students use their financial aid for textbook costs. The average computer science/IT textbook costs $180. In order to help alleviate some of these textbook costs, the State of Georgia has been offering to faculty Affordable Learning Grants across all majors. Several faculty in the Information Technology Department of Kennesaw State University were awarded an ALG grant during the Summer-Fall 2018 for redevelopment of four undergraduate IT courses using no textbook. In the past three years several IT faculty members have been awarded these ALG grants for redevelopment of information security courses, database courses, and an ethics course. The results of the redevelopment of the database courses and information security courses have been very positive for the students. The panel will discuss the current re-development of IT courses, and report on the positive results of prior re-development of no-textbook courses.
Ricoeur’s Kierkegaard

ABSTRACTKeeping an eye on Ricoeur’s philosophical anthropology in particular, this essay maps out Ricoeur’s explicit references to Kierkegaard in the corpus of his major works. Even though many of ...
Second-order sensitivity analysis of uncollided particle contributions to radiation detector responses using ray-tracing

Abstract The Second-Level Adjoint Sensitivity System (2nd-LASS) that yields the second-order sensitivities of a response of uncollided particles with respect to isotope densities, cross sections, and source emission rates has previously been derived and solved using the off-the-shelf discrete ordinates code PARTISN. In this paper, the 2nd-LASS equations are solved using ray-tracing for the case when the response is evaluated at a point on the boundary (the partial current density or scalar flux). The resulting second derivatives, including all mixed partial derivatives as well as derivatives involving material mass densities, are compared with analytic and PARTISN results for a homogeneous sphere and PARTISN results for a two-region sphere. Second derivatives computed using ray-tracing are within 0.003% of those computed using PARTISN and are over 100 times faster to compute for the spherical test problems.
Cervical spondylotic myelopathy mimicking transverse myelitis.

Abstract Objective To describe two cases of cervical spondylotic myelopathy initially misdiagnosed as transverse myelitis. Methods Case series. Results A 44- and 56-year-old man presented with chronic progressive myelopathy. Initial work up revealed cervical spondylosis and an enhancing intramedullary cervical cord lesion. The younger individual was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and the other as an unspecified autoimmune demyelinating disorder. They were both treated with immune therapies, but had progression in their symptoms and functional decline, prompting re-evaluation. Due to persistent enhancement of the intramedullary cervical cord lesion on repeat imaging, lack of new lesion formation over time, and lack of intrathecal antibody production, all of which are atypical for a primary demyelinating disorder, both men ultimately underwent cervical decompressive surgery. Interestingly, though symptoms and disability level improved or stabilized, persistent enhancement of the intramedullary cord lesion years after surgery was noted for both individuals. Conclusion Spondylotic myelopathy is an important consideration in the differential of inflammatory myelopathy, especially since misdiagnosis may result in serious consequences as was seen in the cases presented, including exposure to unnecessary costly treatments and irreversible neurological disability from delayed appropriate surgical intervention. Intramedullary spinal cord enhancement can occur with spondylotic myelopathies, albeit rare, and may persistently enhance for an extended period of time even after decompressive surgery.
Antibiotics and probiotics in inflammatory bowel disease: when to use them?

Antibiotics and probiotics are often used as adjunctive therapy in inflammatory bowel disease. However, data are limited and randomised controlled trials are too inconsistent to provide generalised recommendations for their use in all patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. Antibiotics are best used in the management of infectious complications and fistulas in Crohn’s disease and, perhaps, in reducing the intensity of inflammation in luminal disease. Ciprofloxacin, metronidazole and rifaximin have been most widely used and studied. On the other hand, there appears to be a limited role for antibiotics in ulcerative colitis (UC). Probiotics are most effective in pouchitis, and may have a role in the initial therapy and maintenance of remission in mild UC; the probiotic cocktail VSL#3 has been the most widely studied. There is scant evidence of efficacy for probiotics in Crohn’s disease.
Stochastic constitutive modeling of elastic-plastic materials with uncertain properties

Abstract A new deterministic constitutive model is developed that has a form that is efficient for use in a stochastic constitutive model in which the material properties and the stress and stiffness fields are considered uncertain and modeled as random variables. Simplifications are made to the deterministic model to allow for efficient propagation of uncertainty of model inputs using the Polynomial Chaos (PC) method to quantify the effect of uncertainty in the model parameters on the system response. With large uncertainties in the model parameters that are typical in soil models, the use of a simplified model is justified because the effect of the simplification will be masked by the uncertainties in the model parameters. Each component of the stress and stiffness tensor is expanded along the PC basis, and a small number of PC coefficients are updated along loading/unloading increments. The simplified deterministic model gives similar results to other traditional models, but the equations it involves are computationally much more efficient when extended to the stochastic model and solved with PC. The results are PC coefficients of each stress and stiffness component along the loading/unloading parts of the curve, from which probability distributions of the stress and stiffness can be reconstructed. Compared with traditional Monte-Carlo simulation, the PC method gives similar results while being several orders of magnitude faster computationally. The PC expansion method can also be extended to the non-linear stochastic finite element method.