cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative breast tumor imaging to identify the expression of type I IGF receptor (IGF1R) by anti-IGF1R antibody-conjugated small molecule fluorophore or quantum dotsin vivo.

Abstract #6001 The type I insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptor (IGF1R) is a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase involved in breast cancer proliferation, survival, and metastasis. Several antibodies against IGF1R, including some in clinical trials, downregulate the level of IGF1R both in cell line studies and in in vivo animal experiments. Thus, this downregulation is a biodynamic marker of antibody delivery to the tumor. To date, identification of IGF1R expression and its downregulation in vivo in a non-invasive way is still challenging. In this study, we sort to use two different fluorescent technologies, small molecule fluorophores, or quantum dots (QDs), to detect receptor expression and its downregulation by antibodies in vivo. Alexa 680 is a small molecule fluorophore that can be excited with a peak emission at 705 nm. QDs are nanocrystals that emit fluorescence upon excitation, and QDs with a peak emission at 705 nm was used in this study. Both Alexa 680 and QDs were conjugated with AVE-1642, a humanized anti-IGF1R antibody developed by sanofi-aventis. After conjugation, they both were able to detect the expression of IGF1R and its downregulation in in vitro cell line studies. We used mouse xenograft tumor models to examine their efficacies in vivo. AVE-1642 conjugated Alexa 680 or QDs (705 nm) was intravenously delivered to mice bearing mammary xenograft tumors that express IGF1R. After 24 hours of circulation, Alexa 680 fluorescence was shown to solely localize to the xenograft tumor, with little non-specific targeting to other tissue or organs in mice. In addition, Alexa 680 fluorescence was diminished in tumors that had downregulated IGF1R by antibody pretreatment. In contrast, conjugated QDs fluorescence was mainly localized to liver, spleen, bone marrow and lymph nodes, with very small amount of QDs in the xenograft tumors. The QDs fluorescence in xenograft tumors remained unchanged even when IGF1R was downregulated by antibody pretreatment. Furthermore, we identified that QDs were mainly localized to the hepatic sinusoids, and subsequently engulfed by Kupffer cells. Taken together, our data suggest that small molecule fluorophores, such as Alexa 680, are useful agents to detect the expression and downregulation of IGF1R in vivo. Our data provide valuable insight not only into the clinical development of anti-IGF1R antibodies, but also to other targeted therapy as well. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 6001.
An Expert System Approach to Workload Reduction

A research facility for the development of rule-based, expert systems was developed. Workload reduction was selected as an application area for demonstration. The specific crew function demonstrated was the employment of a high resolution radar in a navigation update task.
Estimation of Error Rates in Several-Population Discriminant Analysis:

Researchers seeking to estimate the classification accuracy of linear discriminant functions in a more than two-population setting have had little guidance as to the most appropriate technique. The...
Development of a light-driven thin-film piezoelectric microactuator

This paper presents the design, fabrication and experimental characterization of a self-contained light-driven microactuator that could find a potential application in a novel retinal prosthesis. The conceived actuator system comprises of a miniaturized solid-state solar cell connected in series with a thin-film piezoelectric microactuator, both fabricated and integrated on a single chip through conventional microfabrication processes. When irradiated with light, the solar cell generates voltage across the thin-film microactuator, which bends and produces mechanical actuation. The novelty of the actuator system lies in its unique integrated design to meet its unique application requirements of producing the output mechanical actuation for input light energy at low illumination levels in the range of 0.1–3 W/m2 . The work demonstrates the fabrication feasibility of the miniaturized solar cell and the PZT thin-film microactuator, and characterizes their performance separately. The solar cell is fabricated by creating a p-n junction over a small area on a single crystal p-type silicon substrate. The microactuator is fabricated as a 600 nm sol-gel derived 52/48 PZT thin-film on a silicon diaphragm. The voltage output characteristics of the solar cell, experimentally studied as a function of the incident irradiance, shows an open circuit voltage of 250–300 mV under 0.6–1.6 W/m2 irradiance. The PZT thin-film microactuator, actuated under low voltages of 0–700 mV, showed deflections in the range of 0–16 nm. Finally, the light-driven actuation is demonstrated by connecting the miniaturized solar cell with the PZT thin-film microactuator and measuring deflections of 5–7 nm under low illumination levels of 0.6–1.6 W/m2 .Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Higher-Order Approximations for Saturated Flow in Randomly Heterogeneous Media via Karhunen-Loéve Decomposition

In this study, we consider transient saturated flow in randomly heterogeneous porous media and try to obtain higher-order solutions of mean head and mean flux, as well as their associated uncertainties based on the combination of Karhunen-Loeve decomposition and perturbation methods. We first decompose the log hydraulic conductivity Y = lnKs as an infinite series on the basis of a set of orthogonal Gaussian standard random variables. The coefficients of the series are related to eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the covariance function of the log hydraulic conductivity. We then write head as an infinite series whose terms h (n) represent the hydraulic head of n th order in terms of σY, the standard deviation of Y, and derive a set of recursive equations for h (n) . We assume that h (n) can be expressed as infinite series in terms of products of n Gaussian random variables. The coefficients in these series are determined by substituting decompositions of Ya nd h (n) into those recursive equations. We solve the mean head (and mean flux) up to fourth order in σY and the head (and flux) variances up to third order in σY 2 . We conduct Monte Carlo simulations (MC) and compare MC results against approximations of various orders from our moment-equation approach on the basis of Karhunen-Loeve decomposition (KLME). We also compare our results with those from first-order conventional moment-equation approach (CME). It is evident that the KLME approach with higher-order corrections is superior to firstorder approximations and is computationally more efficient than Monte Carlo simulations and the conventional moment-equation approach.
Lysine Requirements of Starting and Growing Turkeys

Abstract The lysine requirement of large-type turkey poults was studied in three experiments. For male poults to 4 weeks of age, diets containing 22% or 24% protein, and less than 1.50% lysine, did not support growth equivalent to that obtained when 28% protein diets were fed, or when the low-protein diets were supplemented to give a concentration of 1.50% or greater of lysine. It is concluded that the minimum lysine requirement in this period was 1.50% of a 28% protein diet or 5.3% of the protein. As a function of energy, the lysine requirement was at least 0.52% per megacalorie of metabolizable energy (M.E.) per kg. of diet. For male poults 4 to 8 weeks of age, the lysine requirement was 1.40% of a 26% protein diet or 5.4% of the protein. As a function of energy, the lysine requirement for this period was 0.46% per megacalorie of M.E. per kg. of diet. For male poults 8 to 12 weeks of age, diets containing less than 22% protein did not support maximum growth. For this stage of growth, the requirement was 22% protein with more than 5.09% of the protein as lysine, or 0.40% lysine per megacalorie of M.E. per kg. of diet. The lysine requirement was not a constant percentage of the protein over a range of protein concentrations in the diet within an age period, but did remain a constant percentage of the protein from 1 day to 8 weeks of age. In the 8-12 week period, lysine requirements were less (as a percentage of the protein) than at earlier stages of growth.
Synthesis of C-2-β-D-Glucoside Quinoline Derivatives by Friedlnder Condensation Reaction

Knoevenagel condensation of pentane-2,4-dione with different unprotected glucose in alkaline aqueous media gave quantitatively in one step β-C-glycosidic ketones. Friedlnder condensation reaction of β-C-glycosidic ketones with substituted o-aminobenzaldehyde gave four novel C-2-β-D-Glucoside quinoline derivatives in high yield( up to 90%). The four β-C-glycosidic quinolines were identified by1H NMR,13C NMR spectra and elemental analysis.
Surveillance and analysis of hand-foot-mouth disease in Pudong New Area 2005-2007

[Objective] To find out the epidemiological characteristics and the important pathogens of hand-foot-mouth disease(HFMD). [Methods] Surveillance and report was done according to national disease supervision information management system of hand-foot-mouth disease.Some patients were diagnosed through RT-PCR. [Results] It was found that hand-foot-mouth disease was one of the infectious diseases with high incidence in Children.The incidence of children aged 2 to 5 exceeded 10/1000 and outbreaks used to occur at nurseries and kindergartens,with obvious peak season in summer.The incidence differed between male and female.The positive rate of EV71 was 39.53 %(17/43),The positive rate of CoxA16 was 9.30 %(4/43). [Conclusion] Incidence differs between sexes,seasons and ages.The important pathogen of HFMD is EV71. To study the epidemiological characteristics and etiology of hand-foot-mouth disease helps to suggest better control and prevention it in future.
A Fast Method for the Optimization of Polarimetric Contrast Enhancement in Partially Polarized Condition

A general signal to clutter plus noise ratio(SCNR) model containing the partially polarized condition is created. Based on this SCNR model, a fast method for the optimization of the polarimetric contrast enhancement(OPCE) problem with constrained transmitted and received polarization is proposed. The method proves the OPCE problem equivalent to the maximization of a linear cost function. The solving of the maximization of the function is simpler than that of the OPCE problem. Hence, the faster performance searching is achieved. The method is theoretically deduced. The numerical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of this method. Compared with the conventional global search method(GSM) based on three-step method, the proposed method costs less than 5% of the calculation time.
Give Us Something to React to and Make It Rich: Designers Reflecting-in-Action with External Representations.

Designers give themselves something to react to and they make it rich. During design, what they react to can take many forms: a homepage wireframe, an Excel spreadsheet, building drawings, and a Tweet prototype. Using a phenomenological research design using an interactive methodology and multiple data collection methods, the researchers looked at designers reflecting-in-action. A research question was: What is the impact of reflection-in-action on evaluation processes while a design is in progress and not yet complete? Focusing specifically on a theme that emerged from this research question, this manuscript explores eight designers, who while reflecting-in-action, took stock in and reacted to external representations, which were rich in context, information, and constraints. It delves into the experiences that these multidisciplinary designers had in their respective design spaces reacting to and evaluating external representations. The researchers looked at how rich external representations intertwined in context, information, and constraints helped designers move to partial solutions that moved the design forward. The researchers discuss implications for students and teachers, and share a design experience where inexperienced designers (as university students) can practice taking stock in and reacting to external representations.
Radial Profile of Plasma Flow Parameters Following Evolution of Electrothermal Polycarbonate Plasma into a Large Chamber Simulating Impurity Expansion in Fusion Reactor Vacuum Vessel

The 2-D evolution of the plasma as it expands outside the capillary source, which simulates ablation of plasma-facing materials due to high-heat flux deposition, is of importance to investigate the plasma flow scaling laws with inclusion of radial variations. The flow continues from the source exit through a converging–diverging transition region and expands into a large expansion volume that simulates the vacuum chamber of a tokamak fusion reactor. This 2-D modeling resolves the problem of the 1-D steady state analysis of the plasma bulk flow that assumes the flow parameters to vary only in the axial direction with a uniform radial distribution. As the plasma expands towards the sidewalls of the diverging section in the transition region, the bulk plasma has a finite chance to lose energy primarily in the form of heat loss, which might cause readjustment in the profile for plasma bulk temperature giving rise to a decreasing trend in the radial direction. This change in bulk plasma temperature triggers further changes in other bulk flow parameters along the radial directions, away from the axis of the flow. In this work, different mathematical models have been proposed for radial correction in the bulk flow parameter profiles within the system size as a simulation for expansion into the vacuum vessel of a magnetic fusion reactor. Symmetry of the radial profiles over a cross-sectional area has been assumed to facilitate ease of computation and analysis.
Factors contributing to the uptake and maintenance of regular exercise behaviour in emerging adults

Objective:To identify the influence of parental autonomy support, basic need satisfaction and motivation on emerging adults’ physical activity level and exercise behaviours.Design:Cross-sectional s...
Multidrug-Resistant Bacteroides fragilis Bacteremia in a US Resident: An Emerging Challenge

We describe a case of Bacteroides fragilis bacteremia associated with paraspinal and psoas abscesses in the United States. Resistance to b-lactam/b-lactamase inhibitors, carbapenems, and metronidazole was encountered despite having a recent travel history to India as the only possible risk factor for multidrug resistance. Microbiological cure was achieved with linezolid, moxifloxacin, and cefoxitin.
Minerals and Trace Elements

The term minerals is used to refer to those inorganic compounds that form salts and are water-soluble. It should be noted that some of these substances can be used only in certain complex forms. Elemental phosphorus, for instance, is highly toxic, and only the phosphate form (PO43−) is compatible with the human metabolism. As a practical matter, the term trace elements is used strictly based on the prevailing concentration in the body. Very low concentration does not make an element less or more important than high concentration. Humans need a steady supply of at least 14 minerals and trace elements to maintain health and optimal performance. The evidence supporting an absolute requirement for a few more elements is tenuous. A major reason for the difficulty to demonstrate the importance of trace elements is their ubiquitous presence. Such experiments would require feeding people only food that is devoid of the smallest traces of specific elements, such as arsenic or nickel, for many years until stored amounts are largely removed from the body and the presumed harm can be observed. Such experiments would be prohibitively expensive and ethically unacceptable. Some evidence for the importance of a few trace elements comes from studies with animal models. The absorption of these inorganic compounds and their distribution to target tissues uses a wide array of transporters, channels, and binding proteins, most of which have been identified by now. The inorganics can leave the body via bile, feces, and urine. Sweat, saliva, and sperm can also contribute to losses. Storage can be extensive, such as with calcium (more than 1 kg), magnesium, and phosphate in bone. A trace element like iodine is on the other end of the scale, with only about 15 mg stored in healthy people. The concentrations of most minerals and trace elements in specific tissues and cellular compartments are regulated, often by extremely complex mechanisms involving multiple hormonal, genomic, and metabolic events. The importance of maintaining concentrations within a tight range is obvious, considering that there are few reactions and events that do not involve inorganic compounds. In other instances, inorganic compounds facilitate transport by providing a counter-ion to neutralize a charge of the transferred nutrient or metabolite. The consequences of the wrong concentration can be fatal with some elements, such as the cessation of heartbeats with both low and high concentrations of potassium. An imbalance of other elements can be much more insidious, such as with anemia, fatigue, and diminished performance due to low iron concentration, and damage to the liver, heart, pancreas, and brain with excessively high iron concentration.
Attentional capture for tool images is driven by the head end of the tool, not the handle

Tools afford specialized actions that are tied closely to object identity. Although there is mounting evidence that functional objects, such as tools, capture visuospatial attention relative to non-tool competitors, this leaves open the question of which part of a tool drives attentional capture. We used a modified version of the Posner cueing task to determine whether attention is oriented towards the head versus the handle of realistic images of common elongated tools. We compared cueing effects for tools with control stimuli that consisted of images of fruit and vegetables of comparable elongation to the tools. Critically, our displays controlled for lower-level influences on attention that can arise from global shape asymmetries in the image cues. Observers were faster to detect low-contrast targets positioned near the head end versus the handle of tools. As expected, no lateralized performance bias was observed for the control stimuli. In a follow-up experiment, we confirmed that the bias towards tool heads was not due to inhibition of return as a result of early attentional orienting towards tool handles. Finally, we confirmed that real-world exemplars of the tools in the cueing studies were associated more strongly with specific grasping patterns than the elongated fruits and vegetables. Together, our results demonstrate that affordance effects on attentional capture are driven by the head end of a tool. Prioritizing the head end of a tool is adaptive because it ensures that the most relevant region of the object takes priority in selecting an effective motor plan.
Republication: Correlations between venous collapsibility and common hemodynamic and ventilatory parameters: A multivariable assessment

Introduction: Although the venous collapsibility index (VCI) and central venous pressure (CVP) have been shown to correlate reasonably well, little has been reported on the relationships between VCI and other commonly used hemodynamic variables (i.e., HR, blood pressure). This is a retrospective, post hoc analysis of data from a recently completed 3-year prospective study of VCI in critically ill and injured patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 267 previously recorded data pairs in a group of 82 adults (≥18 to Results: Male patients had significantly greater maximum IVC diameters (2.12 ± 0.89 cm) than female patients (1.81 ± 0.61 cm,P 50%) more accurately correlated to expected SBP and DBP behavior. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that DBP may correlate with volume status-based VCI behavior than either SBP or MAP and that VCI may be more accurate in patients experiencing intravascular volume depletion. While these findings are not entirely surprising, further studies are warranted to improve our understanding of the clinical implications and relevance of these findings. The following core competencies are addressed in this article: Medical knowledge, Patient care. Republished with permission from: Patil P, Kelly N, Papadimos TJ, Bahner DP, Stawicki SP. Correlations between venous collapsibility and common hemodynamic and ventilatory parameters: A multi-variable assessment. OPUS 12 Scientist 2014;8(1):1-5.
MPH-Induced Changes in Right Frontal Metabolism

The effects of methylphenidate (MPH), a drug that increases dopamine, on brain glucose metabolism in 20 cocaine abusers was studied using PET scans and measurements of D2 receptors at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and New York University, NY.
Witnessing in the Field Hospital of the Church

In this paper, I work to correlate three aspects of a specific event (a community gathered around a woman considering suicide) with the salvific promise of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ in order to elucidate the potential power of narrative in preaching to name and call forth a real and durable hope in our times. To do this, I base my method on David Tracy’s analogical imagination, and develop some of the contrasts and connecting points of contemporary trauma theory regarding memory and experience with Johann Baptist Metz’s notion of memory as it relates to the eruption of apocalyptic hope in our times. I also reflect on the implications of an often neglected Holy Saturday faith for preaching. My hope is that this work will be a resource and a caution to preachers as they work to articulate the vision of hope erupting into division and hopelessness in concrete parish, social, and global contexts today.
Acoustic vortex beam generation using a compact metamaterial aperture

We have previously demonstrated an acoustic vortex wave antenna (VWA) based on a metamaterial aperture. This system produced arbitrary angular mode number waveforms,1 but did not produce pure integer mode vortex waves. In this work we extend our previous result to a design which radiates pure integer vortex modes. By combining an acoustic leaky wave antenna with a ring resonator waveguide we produce integer mode acoustic vortex waves. Further, we computationally show that this spatial mode can be transferred between two opposing acoustic vortex wave antenna in a "pitch - catch" configuration.
Interim results of preoperative gemcitabine (gem) plus cisplatin followed by rapid fractionation chemoradiation for resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma

4037 Background: Over 80% of pts who undergo potentially curative pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic adenocarcinoma develop local or distant recurrence. Chemotherapy and external-beam radi...
Women in Managerial Positions

This study attempts to find out factors that may affect a female’s odds ofworking in a managerial position. To answer this question we use the 5 percent PublicUse Microdata Samples (PUMS) dataset. Regression results indicate that it is highlylikely that a woman working in a managerial position will have highereducation—especially a master’s degree. It is also highly likely that women who work inmanagerial positions will have rather inflexible schedule. Experience has a positiveimpact on these odds, but at a decreasing rate. Other factors affecting these odds are race,marital status, and the age of children. Our empirical findings are not sensitive to thedataset used. (J7, J3)
Splish Splash, Splish Splash: Concepts of Hygiene in Women's Prescriptive Literature Making of the Middle Class

As the author of the conduct guide, Hints to Young Ladies, Porter is significant for several reasons. First, Porter’s geographic situation and proximity to the Boston publishing market is important because this essay examines early nineteenth century urbanization and the expansion of the book industry in the Northeast and MidAtlantic. Changing demographic patterns as Americans moved to urban areas renewed debates over how one should fashion their appearance as a marker of socioeconomic status. Because this essay draws from prescriptive literature, it is also important to trace the growth of the book industry to understand where these works were published and distributed. In addition to locale, the content of Porter’s guide is equally important.
Lessons Learned in Disaster Debris Management of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

In the last 10 years, disasters like hurricanes Sandy and Katrina, earthquakes in Haiti and Japan and tornadoes in the Mid-Western US have caused communities to be overwhelmed with the amount of debris waste that is left behind. Debris management plans that address disasters like the aforementioned may vary by hazard type, geographical location and available infrastructure. However, with the common goal of effective recovery, there are lessons learned that may be gleamed from past events to better plan for future disasters. This paper presents a case study of debris management from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, considering reports and updated information up to 2016. Twenty-seven million tons of earthquake and tsunami debris was generated in the three affected prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima. The generated debris included construction/building rubble, vegetative debris, vehicles, vessels and tsunami deposits. Management of the debris proved difficult due to the variant types and large quantities, requiring the need for multiple debris operation sites for sorting and disposal. Discussed herein is the debris management of the Tohoku region including the waste disposal and processing plans developed by the affected prefectures. The long-term goal is to improve the debris management procedures, for future events (such as a potential Nankai Trough megathrust earthquake), by learning from those who have experience and knowledge in managing disasters. Several lessons learned and improvements for the Tohoku region include: the inclusion tsunami debris provisions into the earthquake management plan, preparedness literature and education tools for all ages, increased ground elevation and evacuation shelters and taller seawalls.
Truck Activity Monitoring System for Freight Transportation Analysis

Understanding truck activity is an essential component of strategic freight planning and programming. However, recent studies have revealed a significant void in the availability of detailed truck activity data. Although some existing detectors are capable of providing truck counts by axle configuration, higher-resolution data that indicate truck body configuration, industry served, and commodity carried cannot be obtained from existing sensors. This paper presents the newly developed Truck Activity Monitoring System, which leverages existing in-pavement traffic sensors to provide truck activity data in California. Existing inductive loop detector sites were updated with inductive signature technology and advanced truck classification models were implemented to provide detailed truck count data with more than 40 truck body configurations. The system has been deployed to more than 90 detector locations in California to provide coverage at state borders, regional cordons, and significant metropolitan truck ...
The Use of 131 Iodine in the Treatment of Graves’ Disease in Children

Graves' disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism in childhood. Current treatment options include antithyroid medications, surgery, and radioactive iodine. Medical therapy is generally associated with long-term remission rates of less than 25% and a small risk of serious adverse reactions that include hepatic failure and bone marrow suppression. When radioactive iodine is used in appropriate doses, there is a very high cure rate without increased risks of thyroid cancer or genetic damage. Definitive therapy in the form of surgery or radioactive iodine is necessary and unavoidable for the majority of pediatric patients with Graves' disease. Total thyroidectomy is an effective treatment of Graves' disease, with a low rate of disease recurrence. Long-term complications include recurrent laryngeal nerve paresis in 2% or more of individuals, permanent hypoparathyroidism in 1% or more, and hypertrophic and nonhypertrophic scars. Surgery is the preferred definitive treatment for a very large thyroid gland and when the individual is considered too young for 131 I. When used at doses that deliver 150 Gy or more, radioactive iodine is an effective cure for Graves' disease and is associated with few acute side effects. Potential long-term adverse side effects, including thyroid cancer and genetic damage, have yet to be observed in individuals treated as children or adolescents with 131 I.
Non-holographic content addressable memory based arithmetic processor

A new scheme for digital optical computing, utilizing a non-holographic opto-electronic content addressable memory (CAM), is discussed. To illustrate the performance of a CAM based arithmetic processor, an optical binary carry look-ahead adder (CLA), a binary and a residue multiplier were designed. Experimental results are also presented.
SHARED TEAM EXPERIENCES AND TEAM EFFECTIVENESS: UNPACKING THE CONTINGENT EFFECTS OF ENTRAINED RHYTHMS AND TASK CHARACTERISTICS

This study explores the conditions under which shared team task-specific (STTS) experiences in crew-based arrangements may negatively influence team effectiveness. We suggest that the entrained rhy...
Tropical African Contributions to Federal Finance

Few questions are more vexing in the development of an optimum tax structure than that of allocation of tax sources between federal and territorial governments in a federal system. The need for a substantial degree of uniformity in tax structures and burdens in the interest of optimum resource allocation, effective tax administration, and tax compliance conflicts directly with the need for fiscal autonomy on the part of the territorial governments. The result is inevitably a compromise, and in many countries, including Canada, an unstable one, with constant complaints leading to frequent review of the system. Attainment of an optimum solution is difficult at best, and in the older federations, such as Canada, the United States, and Switzerland, change is impeded by tradition, by the doctrine of states' rights, and by the reluctance of one level of government to surrender any of its control over taxation to another level. A review of the solutions to the problem adopted by three federal systems in British tropical Africa, all of relatively recent origin, is of interest both in terms of African problems and for the light which it may throw on the search for better solutions elsewhere.
Sildenafil and Retinopathy of Prematurity in Preterm Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

Objective To assess whether sildenafil is associated with worsening retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (≤1500 g) with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Study design This retrospective case-control study included VLBW infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2012. Each infant treated with sildenafil was assigned 3 unexposed controls matched for gestational age, birth weight, and BPD diagnosis. Severe ROP was defined as stage ≥3 ROP. Worsening ROP was defined as increased stage of ROP within 8 weeks + 4 days after initiation of sildenafil or matched postmenstrual age. Results Twenty-three exposed infants and 69 matched controls met the inclusion criteria for the study (mean birth weight, 715 ± 210 g; mean gestational age, 25 ± 1 weeks). The mean postmenstrual age at sildenafil treatment was 42 ± 8 weeks. Exposed infants had more days of respiratory support (mean, 208 ± 101 days vs 102 ± 33 days; P Conclusion Although sildenafil treatment was not statistically significantly associated with worsening of ROP, the raw difference in ROP rate is concerning. Larger studies are warranted to confirm this finding.
Benefits and Challenges of Large-Ensemble Instrumental Music Adjudicated Events: Insights From Experienced Music Teachers:

Adjudicated events, including music festivals, contests, and competitions, are performance opportunities for American instrumental music programs. The purpose of this study was to examine the benef...
SST asteroid search performance 2014–2017

From 2014 to 2017, the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) program performed wide-area asteroid search using the 3.5-m Space Surveillance Telescope (SST) located on Atom Peak at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. The SST was developed by MIT Lincoln Laboratory (MIT/LL) for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to advance the nation's capabilities in space situational awareness. LINEAR asteroid search using SST was funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). During three years of asteroid search operations, the SST had more than 14 million observations accepted by the Minor Planet Center (MPC) and contributed to the discovery of 142 previously unknown near-Earth objects (NEOs). This paper provides a summary of SST asteroid search performance during the three years of operation at Atom Peak, and describes performance improvements achieved through processing software upgrades, refinements in search strategy, and hardware upgrades such as the successful installation of Wide-Field Camera 2 (WFC-2) in summer 2016.
Abstract 1049: Orthotopic implantation of aggressive breast cancer achieves better engraftment and larger tumor in patient-derived xenograft models

Background: Breast cancer patient-derived xenograft (PDX) has come into the limelight to address the issue of intratumoral heterogeneity in preclinical studies; however, there are still some unsolved problems regarding its practical usage in translational research. There are no systematic studies that clarify the advantage of orthotopic implantation of the tumor as opposed to ectopic, or of the type of source tumor. Thus, we investigated the difference of tumor growth caused by these variables among breast cancer PDX model mice. Methods: We xenografted 10 patient breast cancer tumors into NSG mice. 2 tumors were derived from brain metastasis (B-met), whereas the others were from primary. 3 tumors were ER(+) HER2(-) and 7 tumors were triple negative (TN). Both of b-met tumors are ER(+) HER2(-). Using 2-3 mice per each patient sample, about 1mm3 tumor fragments were implanted surgically into four subcutaneous (SQ) sites ectopically and four sites (bilateral 2nd and 4th mammary fat pad) orthotopically (Orth). Tumors were passaged to another 2-4 mice as the next generation when the largest tumor grew to 1.5cm in diameter. Tumor “take” was defined as tumorigenesis of palpable tumor after implantation regardless of time it took. Results: PDX tumors were established in 7 out of 10 patient tumors. Histologic grade 3 tumors have significantly higher take rate than grade 2 tumors in 1st generation (3.4% [1/29 site] vs 51.9% [56/108 site], p
DEPRESSION AND LONELINESS IN MID- AND LATER LIFE

Existing studies have shown a close relationship between depression and loneliness among older adults, but it has been less clear about the causal direction of this relationship and how the levels of depression and loneliness change over a longer period in mid- and later life. This study investigated the causal influences between depression and loneliness across three time points (2008, 2012, and 2016) using cross-lagged panel (CLP) analysis and examined the trajectories of depression and loneliness in the same time period using latent growth curve (LGC) analysis. Respondents were 2695 adults (aged 51 to 91) from three waves of Health and Retirement Study. The results of CLP model indicated that there was a bidirectional relationship between depression and loneliness, but the effects of loneliness at earlier time points on later depression were larger than that of previous depression on later loneliness. The LGC models showed significant positive associations between the initial levels of depression and loneliness and between the rates of change of these two variables. Significant individual differences were also found in the initial levels and the rates of change for both depression and loneliness. The results further found that age negatively associated with the initial levels of both depression and loneliness but positively related to the rate of change of these two variables. The study highlighted the reciprocal relationship between depression and loneliness and showed the effect of age on the initial levels and rates of change of these two variables.
Maternal obesity and offspring cognition: the role of inflammation.

High pre-pregnancy body mass index (ppBMI) has been linked to neurodevelopmental impairments in childhood. However, very few studies have investigated mechanisms in human cohorts. Among 1361 mother–child pairs in Project Viva, we examined associations of ppBMI categories with the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test III [PPVT] and Wide Range Assessment of Visual Motor Abilities [WRAVMA] in early childhood (median 3.2y); and with the Kaufman Brief Intelligence test (KBIT) and WRAVMA in mid-childhood (7.7y). We further examined the role of maternal inflammation in these associations using the following measures from the 2nd trimester of pregnancy: plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), dietary inflammatory index (DII), and plasma omega-6 (n-6): n-3 fatty acid ratio. Children of mothers with prenatal obesity (ppBMI ≥30 kg/m2) had WRAVMA scores that were 2.1 points lower (95% CI: −3.9, −0.2) in early childhood than children of normal weight mothers (ppBMI 18.5–<25 kg/m2), in a covariate adjusted model. This association was attenuated when we additionally adjusted for maternal CRP (β −1.8 points; 95% CI: −3.8, 0.2) but not for other inflammatory markers. PpBMI was not associated with other cognitive outcomes. Maternal inflammation may modestly mediate the association between maternal obesity and offspring visual motor abilities.
A Ferritin Photochemical Synthesis of Monodispersed Silver Nanoparticles That Possess Antimicrobial Properties

We previously reported that ferritin acts as a photocatalyst to form monodispersed gold nanoparticles. Because silver possesses a favorable reduction potential (+0.80 V), we postulated that the ferritin photochemical method could be used to reduce Ag(I) to Ag(0). Additionally, we postulated that similar to gold, the reduced silver should nucleate and form silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the external surface of ferritin. This study reports that Ag(I) can function as an electron acceptor to form monodispersed AgNPs using the ferritin photocatalytic method. The formation and growth of the AgNPs were monitored by following the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 420 nm by spectrophotometry. The resulting monodispersed AgNPs were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Gel filtration chromatography demonstrated that the AgNPs comigrated with ferritin through the column suggesting a strong association with ferritin. AgNPs are known to possess antimicrobial properties. The antimicrobial properties of Ferritin-AgNPs were compared to commercially available AgNPs by testing the minimal growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus. Commercially available AgNPs inhibited bacterial growth at 5 ppm AgNPs, and Ferritin-AgNPs inhibited growth at 20 ppm Ferritin-AgNPs.
Postmortem evaluation of renal tubular vacuolization in critically ill dogs.

Objective To describe the frequency of renal tubular vacuolization (RTV) as a surrogate of osmotic nephrosis and assess hyperosmolar agents as predictors of RTV severity. Design Retrospective study (February 2004-October 2014). Setting Veterinary teaching hospital. Animals Fifty-three client-owned, critically ill dogs that had a postmortem examination. Interventions None. Measurements and main results The frequency, severity, and location of RTV were determined in small group of critically ill dogs postmortem. Logistic regression was performed to assess cumulative 6% HES (670/0.75) and mannitol dose as predictors for RTV severity with presenting serum creatinine concentration, cumulative furosemide dose, and duration of hospitalization as covariates. RTV was noted in 45 (85%) of 53 critically ill dogs and was most commonly located to the medullary rays (68%). Cumulative 6% HES (670/0.75) dose (P = 0.009) and presenting serum creatinine concentration (P = 0.027) were significant predictors of RTV severity. For every 1 mL/kg increase in 6% HES (670/0.75) dose that a dog received, there was 1.6% increased chance of having more severe RTV (OR 1.016; 95% CI 1.004-1.029). In addition, for every 88.4 μmol/L (1 mg/dL) increase in presenting serum creatinine, there was a 22.7% increased chance of having more severe RTV (OR 1.227; 95% CI 1.023-1.472). Cumulative mannitol (P = 0.548) and furosemide (P = 0.136) doses were not significant predictors of RTV severity. Conclusion In a small group of critically ill dogs, there was a high frequency of RTV identified on postmortem examination. Administration of 6% HES (670/0.75) and presenting serum creatinine concentration were significant predictors of RTV severity. Larger prospective studies are needed to determine the etiology and significance of RTV in dogs.
Multisensory Integration Is Modulated by Auditory Sound Frequency and Visual Spatial Frequency

Accurate integration of auditory and visual information is essential for our ability to communicate with others. Previous studies have shown that the temporal discrepancies over which audiovisual speech stimuli will be integrated into a coherent percept are much wider than those typically observed for simple stimuli like beeps and flashes of light. However, our sensitivity to the low-level features of simple stimuli is not constant. We hypothesized that part of the enhanced integration of audiovisual speech may be due to it consisting predominantly of the sound frequencies and visual spatial frequencies that humans are most sensitive to. Here, we examined integration behaviors for pure tones across the sound frequency spectrum and visual gratings across the spatial frequency spectrum to examine how these low-level features modulate integration. The temporal window of integration was modulated by both sound frequency and visual spatial frequency, with the widest integration window occurring when both stimuli fell within their respective peak sensitivity ranges. These results suggest that part of the increased tolerance for temporal asynchrony typically observed for audiovisual speech may be due to the differential integration of low-level stimulus features that are dominant within complex audiovisual speech.
Roads from Calabria: the Arrighian approach to agrarian political economy.

Author(s): Bair, J; Harris, K; Hough, PA | Abstract: Scholars of agrarian change have long debated the nature of capitalist transition in the countryside, including whether the deepened interlinking of local, national, and transnational economic activities make past trajectories of agrarian transformation unlikely to reoccur in the present. This essay makes the case that Giovanni Arrighi's work has much to add to our understanding of the agrarian question in global historical perspective. We focus in particular on Arrighi's research on trajectories of change in the Calabrian region of southern Italy, and his essay “Capitalist Development in Hostile Environments.” In this piece, Arrighi and co-author Fortunata Piselli develop two key insights. The first is that the pathways to capitalism are diverse, non-linear, and historically contingent such that within one country—or, in the case of Italy, a single subnational region—multiple trajectories can be found. The second is that the outcomes of capitalist transition vary based on a country's position in the international hierarchy of wealth, meaning that agrarian transformation is compatible with both economic development and underdevelopment. We describe the three methodological principles that enabled Arrighi to develop his analysis of capitalist transition and explain how the papers collected in this special issue reflect and extend the Arrighian approach to agrarian political economy.
Defects and boundary RG flows in ℂ / ℤ d $$ \mathbb{C}/{\mathbb{Z}}_d $$

We show that topological defects in the language of Landau-Ginzburg models carry information about the RG flow between the non-compact orbifolds $$ \mathbb{C}/{\mathbb{Z}}_d $$ . We show that such defects correctly implement the bulk-induced RG flow on the boundary.
Exploring Theme Park Visitors’ Experience on Satisfaction and Revisit Intention: A Utilization of Experience Economy Model

Although the success of a theme park depends heavily on visitors’ experience, few studies have sought to understand visitor behaviors. This research employs the experience economy model to investig...
Integrating Economic Evaluation and Implementation Science to Advance the Global HIV Response.

Background:Numerous cost-effectiveness analyses have indicated good value for money from a wide array of interventions for treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS. There is limited evidence, however, regarding how cost-effectiveness information contributes to better decision-making around investment an
An application of a modified theory of planned behavior model to investigate adolescents’ job safety knowledge, norms, attitude and intention to enact workplace safety and health skills

Abstract Introduction: For many reasons, including a lack of adequate safety training and education, U.S. adolescents experience a higher rate of job-related injury compared to adult workers. Widely used social-psychological theories in public health research and practice, such as the theory of planned behavior, may provide guidance for developing and evaluating school-based interventions to prepare adolescents for workplace hazards and risks. Method: Using a structural equation modeling approach, the current study explores whether a modified theory of planned behavior model provides insight on 1,748 eighth graders’ occupational safety and health (OSH) attitude, subjective norm, self-efficacy and behavioral intention, before and after receiving instruction on a free, national young worker safety and health curriculum. Reliability estimates for the measures were produced and direct and indirect associations between knowledge and other model constructs assessed. Results: Overall, the findings align with the theory of planned behavior. The structural equation model adequately fit the data; most path coefficients are statistically significant and knowledge has indirect effects on behavioral intention. Confirmatory factor analyses suggest that the knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and behavioral intention measures reflect a unique dimension (reliability estimates ≥0.86), while the subjective norm measure did not perform adequately. Conclusion: The findings presented provide support for using behavioral theory (specifically a modified theory of planned behavior) to investigate adolescents’ knowledge, perceptions, and behavioral intention to engage in safe and healthful activities at work, an understanding of which may contribute to reducing the downstream burden of injury on this vulnerable population—the future workforce. Practical application: Health behavior theories, commonly used in the social and behavioral sciences, have utility and provide guidance for developing and evaluating OSH interventions, including those aimed at preventing injuries and promoting the health and safety of adolescent workers in the U.S., who are injured at higher rates than are adults.
Constitutions, Politics and Economics: A Review Essay on Persson and Tabellini's

In this essay I review the new book by Torsten Persson and Guido Tabellini, The Economic Effects of Constitutions, which investigates the policy and economic consequences of different forms of government and electoral rules. I also take advantage of this opportunity to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a number of popular empirical strategies in the newly emerging field of comparative political economy.