cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fluoroscopy: Patient Radiation Exposure Issues

Fluoroscopic procedures (particularly prolonged interventional procedures) may involve high patient radiation doses. The radiation dose depends on the type of examination, the patient size, the equipment, the technique, and many other factors. The performance of the fluoroscopy system with respect to radiation dose is best characterized by the receptor entrance exposure and skin entrance exposure rates, which should be assessed at regular intervals. Management of patient exposure involves not only measurement of these rates but also clinical monitoring of patient doses. Direct monitoring of patient skin doses during procedures is highly desirable, but current methods still have serious limitations. Skin doses may be reduced by using intermittent exposures, grid removal, last image hold, dose spreading, beam filtration, pulsed fluoroscopy, and other dose reduction techniques. Proper training of fluoroscopic operators, understanding the factors that influence radiation dose, and use of various dose reduction techniques may allow effective management of patient dose.
Variable Density Compressed Image Sampling

Compressed sensing (CS) provides an efficient way to acquire and reconstruct natural images from a limited number of linear projection measurements leading to sub-Nyquist sampling rates. A key to the success of CS is the design of the measurement ensemble. This correspondence focuses on the design of a novel variable density sampling strategy, where the a priori information of the statistical distributions that natural images exhibit in the wavelet domain is exploited. The proposed variable density sampling has the following advantages: 1) the generation of the measurement ensemble is computationally efficient and requires less memory; 2) the necessary number of measurements for image reconstruction is reduced; 3) the proposed sampling method can be applied to several transform domains and leads to simple implementations. Extensive simulations show the effectiveness of the proposed sampling method.
Noggin heterozygous mice: an animal model for congenital conductive hearing loss in humans

the genetic background, some of the Nog 1/2 mice display mild hearing loss, that is, conductive in nature. Since Noggin is a single exon gene, this data strongly suggest that the autosomal dominant disorders associated with NOG mutations are due to haploinsufficiency of NOGGIN. The conductive hearing loss in Nog 1/2 mice is caused by an ectopic bone bridge located between the stapes and the posterior wall of the tympanum, which affects the normal mobility of the ossicle. Our analyses suggest that the ectopic bone formation is caused by a failure of the stapes and styloid process to separate completely during development. This failure of bone separation in the Nog 1/2 mice reveals another consequence of chondrocyte hyperplasia due to unopposed Bmp activities in these mutants such as Bmp4 and Bmp14 (Gdf5). More importantly, these results establish Nog 1/2 mice as the first animal model for the study of conductive rather than neurosensory hearing loss that has direct relevance to human genetic disorders.
Abnormalities in large scale functional networks in unmedicated patients with schizophrenia and effects of risperidone.

Abstract Objective To describe abnormalities in large scale functional networks in unmedicated patients with schizophrenia and to examine effects of risperidone on networks. Material and methods 34 unmedicated patients with schizophrenia and 34 matched healthy controls were enrolled in this longitudinal study. We collected resting state functional MRI data with a 3T scanner at baseline and six weeks after they were started on risperidone. In addition, a group of 19 healthy controls were scanned twice six weeks apart. Four large scale networks, the dorsal attention network, executive control network, salience network, and default mode network were identified with seed based functional connectivity analyses. Group differences in connectivity, as well as changes in connectivity over time, were assessed on the group's participant level functional connectivity maps. Results In unmedicated patients with schizophrenia we found resting state connectivity to be increased in the dorsal attention network, executive control network, and salience network relative to control participants, but not the default mode network. Dysconnectivity was attenuated after six weeks of treatment only in the dorsal attention network. Baseline connectivity in this network was also related to clinical response at six weeks of treatment with risperidone. Conclusions Our results demonstrate abnormalities in large scale functional networks in patients with schizophrenia that are modulated by risperidone only to a certain extent, underscoring the dire need for development of novel antipsychotic medications that have the ability to alleviate symptoms through attenuation of dysconnectivity.
ORGANIZATIONAL OPPORTUNITY AND SOCIAL MOVEMENT MOBILIZATION: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF FOUR RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS*

† When do nonactivist organizations become committed to social movement goals? Building on critiques of the "iron law of oligarchy," this article develops and tests the concept of organizational opportunity, analogous to political opportunity. It divides the concept along two dimensions, the attitudes and authority of organizational leaders. The article examines organizational opportunity in four religious organizations and the social movements that challenged their political quiescence: the civil rights movement in the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc.; Liberation Theology in the Latin American Roman Catholic Church; the Iranian revolutionary movement in the Shii Muslim ruhaniyat; and prodemocracy activism in the Burmese Buddhist sangha. Activist mobilization of these organizations since the 1950s and 1960s appears to be strongly related to variation in organizational opportunity. The importance of preexisting organizations for social movement mobilization has been one of the central premises of social movement theory for the past quarter century. Earlier, "breakdown" theories held that social organization was a conservative force, and that only individuals who have broken free or been cast loose from social bonds undertake protest activity. The newer, "solidarity" theories hold, by contrast, that social movement activism grows out of preexisting organization, which provides the setting, the solidarity, and the resources for sustained protest activity (Tilly, Tilly, and Tilly 1975: 4-8). I wish to examine how preexisting organizations become "cooptable" for social movement purposes (Freeman 1973: 794; McCarthy and Wolfson 1992). Social movement theory often explains the transformation of politically quiescent organizations into social movement resources by factors external to the organization, the most influential approach being the concept of "political opportunity" (McAdam 1982; Tarrow 1994). The concept of political opportunity focuses attention on the relationship between movement organizations and the state, and argues that changes in this relationship determine when organizations mobilize.
Abstract T P61: Patients With Acute Stroke Involving More Than One-Third Middle Cerebral Artery Territory Should Not be Excluded From Intravenous Thrombolysis

Background and aim: Involvement of more than one-third of middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory on initial brain CT is a relative contraindication for IV-tPA and often associated with increased bleeding risk. Involvement of more than 1/3 MCA territory on initial CT is associated with poor functional outcome at 3 months. We present the results of IV-thrombolysis among these patients at our tertiary care centre. Methods: Data from consecutive acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients treated with IV-tPA within 4.5 hours between January 2009 to August 2012 were included. The collected data included demographic characteristics, vascular risk factors, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, and blood pressure levels before IV-tPA bolus. The presence of early stroke signs involving more than 1/3 of the MCA on the initial CT scan was measured by Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (ASPECTS ≤7). Outcomes were assessed by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months. Results: A total of 97 AIS patients with more than one-third MCA involvement received IV-tPA during the study period. Median age was 70 yrs (range 38-89), 55% male, median NIHSS score 20 points (range 3-33) and median onset-to-treatment time 152 minutes (range 55-274). Forty-two (44%) patients achieved good functional outcomes at 3 months (mRS score 0-1). Factors associated with good outcome at 3 months on univariate analysis were younger age, hypertension, non-cardioembolic etiology and lower NIHSS score at presentation. After multivariate analysis, lower age (OR 0.965; 95%CI 0.941-0.989, p=0.005) and lower NIHSS scores at presentation were noted as independent predictor of good outcome at 3 months (OR 0.990; 95%CI 0.869-0,950 p= <0.001 ). The presence of more than1/3 MCA involvement on the ore-thrombolysis CT scan (ASPECTS <8) was not associated with a poor functional outcome at 3 months (OR 1.495 95% CI 0.881-2.540; p=0.136). Conclusions: Patients with acute stroke involving more than one-third of the MCA on initial brain CT scan, especially if associated with lower NIHSS score, should not be excluded from systemic thrombolysis.
Photoactive High Explosives: Substituents Effects on Tetrazine Photochemistry and Photophysics

High explosives that are photoactive, i.e., can be initiated with light, offer significant advantages in reduced potential for accidental electrical initiation. We examined a series of structurally related tetrazine based photoactive high explosive materials to detail their photochemical and photophysical properties. Using photobleaching infrared absorption, we determined quantum yields of photochemistry for nanosecond pulsed excitation at 355 and 532 nm. Changes in mass spectrometry during laser irradiation in vacuum measured the evolution of gaseous products. Fluorescence spectra, quantum yields, and lifetimes were measured to observe radiative channels of energy decay that compete with photochemistry. For the 6 materials studied, quantum yields of photochemistry ranged from <10–5 to 0.03 and quantum yield of fluorescence ranged from <10–3 to 0.33. In all cases, the photoexcitation nonradiatively relaxed primarily to heat, appropriate for supporting photothermal initiation processes. The photochemistry ...
A GENETIC ANALYSIS OF MELANOMA-POLYGENIC INHERITANCE AS A THRESHOLD TRAIT

A total of 214 melanoma patients and 193 age- and sex-matched controls, interviewed at the Roswell Park Memorial Institute during the years 1974--1978, provided information regarding 1134 and 1043 New York State first order relatives (parents, offspring and siblings). The vital information provided was checked against the records of the New York State Tumor Registry to find cases of melanoma among relatives. Five cases of melanoma were found among the 1027 New York State relatives of melanoma index cases alive during the period 1949--1978, inclusive. No cases of melanoma were found among New York State relatives of controls. The expected number of melanomas among a cohort of relatives of identical sex and age composition for the interval was 0.625 cases, giving a ratio of observed to expected of 8.0. A similar analysis, restricted to parent-offspring pairs, yielded a ratio of observed to expected of 12.7. A search for additional melanoma cases among second degree relatives of familial index cases yielded no further affected relatives. The incidence of melanoma among relatives of melanoma cases and in a comparable general population were used to estimate the heritability of liability to melanoma as a polygenic trait. A heritability estimate of 0.49 was obtained, using parent-offspring data, indicating that nearly half of the variability in liability to melanoma in this population may be attributed to the additive action of many genes, each with small effect. Pending the replication of these findings, the 12-fold increase in incidence of melanoma among parents and offspring of melanoma cases suggests the importance of counseling and surveillance of relatives of affected individuals by the clinician.
The effects of avatars on presence in virtual environments for persons with mobility impairments

The main question we ask is: How do avatars affect presence specifically for Persons with Mobility Impairments (PMIs)? For example, PMIs' deficits in the proprioceptive sense could affect their body perception in immersive virtual reality, which could impact presence. To investigate this we replicated the classic virtual pit experiment and included a responsive full body avatar (or lack thereof) as a 3D user interface. We recruited from two different populations: 11 PMIs and another 11 Persons without Mobility Impairments (PNMIs) as a control. Each PNMI was matched to a PMI based on age, weight, height, and prior VE exposure. Results of this study indicate that avatars elicit a higher sense of presence for PMIs than for PNMIs. In addition, results suggest that PMIs are easier to immerse in VEs than PNMIs, which may further motivate the future use of VE technology for PMIs.
Effects of starvation for 4–20 days on the neutral lipid and phospholipid content of Biomphalaria glabrata as determined by high performance thin layer chromatography-densitometry

ABSTRACTThe effects of 4, 7, 10, 14, and 20 days of starvation on the neutral and phospholipid levels of Biomphalaria glabrata were determined by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC)-densitometry. Snails were maintained in artificial spring water in jars at 25 ± 1°C. The digestive gland–gonad complex was extracted with chloroform–methanol (2:1), and Analtech laned preadsorbent silica gel HPTLC plates were used with petroleum ether–diethyl ether–glacial acetic acid (80:20:1) mobile phase, phosphomolybdic acid detection reagent, and scanning at 610 nm for neutral lipid analysis, and chloroform–methanol–water (65:25:4.5) mobile phase, cupric sulfate–phosphoric acid reagent, and scanning at 370 nm for phospholipids. Significant differences were observed in the triacylglycerol and steryl ester levels in the starved versus the control snails.
Photodetector Arrays in Laser-Recrystallized Silicon Integrated with an Optical Waveguide

Integrated detection of light propagating in an optical waveguide by a photodetector array fabricated directly on the waveguide surface is demonstrated. Laser recrystallization of LPCVD polysilicon patterned with periodically-spaced anti-reflection stripes is utilized. Lateral p-i-n photodiode elements formed by ion implantation are characterized by reverse leakage currents of −11 amp and a typical breakdown voltage of 50 volts. Optical response is found to be linear over a dynamic range of greater than 55 dB.
Enterovirus Control of Translation and RNA Granule Stress Responses

Enteroviruses such as poliovirus (PV) and coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) have evolved several parallel strategies to regulate cellular gene expression and stress responses to ensure efficient expression of the viral genome. Enteroviruses utilize their encoded proteinases to take over the cellular translation apparatus and direct ribosomes to viral mRNAs. In addition, viral proteinases are used to control and repress the two main types of cytoplasmic RNA granules, stress granules (SGs) and processing bodies (P-bodies, PBs), which are stress-responsive dynamic structures involved in repression of gene expression. This review discusses these processes and the current understanding of the underlying mechanisms with respect to enterovirus infections. In addition, the review discusses accumulating data suggesting linkage exists between RNA granule formation and innate immune sensing and activation.
Quality safety assessment of roasted seeds and nuts in Xiamen

Objective To investigate the contamination status of heavy metals and aflatoxin in roasted seeds and nuts in Xiamen,and to provide scientific evidence for the food safety risk assessment and intensified supervision of the government departments. Methods Ninety-four samples of roasted seeds and nuts in bags and in bulks were selected from supermarkets and farmer's markets. Heavy metals such as Pb,Cd,Hg and As in samples were tested by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry,while aflatoxins(B1,B2,G1,G2) were determined by liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer. Results The qualified rate for Pb was 96. 8% in the 94 samples,that of Cd was 87. 2%,and the qualified rates of Hg,As and aflatoxin B1 were all 100%. Aflatoxin B2,G1,G2 were not detected,and they were not evaluated because there was no national limits. The content of Cd in peanuts was relatively high. The average contents of Hg and As in tree nuts were higher than those of seeds,while Pb contents in samples of the two types of nuts were similar. Aflatoxin B1 was detected only in pistachios and peanuts with low content. Conclusion The contents of heavy metals and aflatoxins in roasted seeds and nuts were both at a safe level in Xiamen as a whole. However,the potential hazards of over-limited Pb and Cd in individual samples could not be ignored,especially sunflower seeds samples in bulk,requiring more attention and intensified supervision.
Wildcat wellness coaching feasibility trial: protocol for home-based health behavior mentoring in girls

Background Childhood obesity is a major public health problem, with one third of America’s children classified as either overweight or obese. Obesity prevention and health promotion programs using components such as wellness coaching and home-based interventions have shown promise, but there is a lack of published research evaluating the impact of a combined home-based and wellness coaching intervention for obesity prevention and health promotion in young girls. The main objective of this study is to test the feasibility of such an intervention on metrics related to recruitment, intervention delivery, and health-related outcome assessments. The secondary outcome is to evaluate the possibility of change in health-related psychosocial, behavioral, and biomedical outcomes in our sample of participants.
Multisensory Illusions and the Temporal Binding Window

The ability of our sensory systems to merge sensory information from distinct modalities is remarkable. One stimulus characteristic utilized in this operation is temporal coincidence. Auditory and visual information are integrated within a narrow range of temporal offsets, known as the temporal binding window (TBW), which varies between individuals, stimulus type, and task. In this series of experiments, we assessed the relationship within individuals between the width of their TBW and their ability to integrate audiovisual information. The TBW was measured through a perceived subjective simultaneity task. In conjunction with this, we measured each individual's ability to integrate auditory and visual information with two multisensory illusions, the McGurk effect and Flashbeep illusion. The results from these studies demonstrate that the TBW is highly correlated with the individual's ability to integrate. These relationships were seen in only the right TBW, in which visual presentations preceded auditory ...
Being a Jewish Writer Under the Romanian Fascist Regime: The Case of Mihail Sebastian

The rise of fascism in the late 1930s and 1940s in Romania had wide-ranging effects on the country’s Jewish minority. Among the affected categories, artists and writers had a special place as the presentation of their work was either restricted to solely within Jewish community or altogether forbidden. The case of the most representative Romanian Jewish writer of the time, Mihail Sebastian, and the way the anti-Semitic legislation in Romania the 1940s affected his work, is analyzed in the following article. Against the background of the evolution of the legal status of Jews in Romania from the 1930s until end World War II, Mihail Sebastian's biography will serve as an example of the odyssey Romanian artists and writers Jewish descent went through as their work became unacceptable to the fascist authorities. This article will mainly explore the situation of the Jewish artist in German-occupied Bucharest in 1944 by focusing on the process of writing and staging Sebastian's most popular play Steaua fara Nume (The Star without a Name).
TITANIUM ALLOY SLEEVES DO NOT PREVENT FRETTING CORROSION IN MODULAR THA

Introduction In THA, fretting corrosion at the head-stem taper junction has emerged as a clinical concern that may result in adverse local tissue reactions, even in patients with a metal-on-polyethylene bearing [1]. Taper junctions that employ a ceramic head have demonstrated reduced corrosion at the interface [2]. However, during revision surgery with a well-fixed stem, a titanium sleeve is used in conjunction with a ceramic head to ensure proper fit of the head onto the stem and better stress distribution. In vitro testing has suggested that corrosion is not a concern in sleeved ceramic heads [3]; however, little is known about the in vivo fretting corrosion of the sleeves. The purpose of this study was to investigate fretting corrosion in sleeved ceramic heads. Materials and Methods Between 2001 and 2014, 35 sleeved ceramic heads were collected during revision surgery as part of a multi-center retrieval program. The sleeves were all fabricated from titanium alloy and manufactured by 4 companies (CeramTec (n=14), Smith & Nephew (Richards, n=11), Stryker (n=5), and Zimmer (n=5)). The femoral heads were made from 3 ceramics (Alumina (n=7), Zirconia (n=11), and Zirconia-toughened Alumina (n=17)). Sleeve dimensions (length and thickness) were measured using calibrated calipers. Fretting corrosion of the sleeves and available associated stems was scored using a 4-point, semi-quantitative scoring system [4], with 1 being little-to-no damage, and 4 corresponded to severe fretting corrosion. Five sleeves could not be extracted; thus the external surface was not scored. Results Moderate-to-severe fretting corrosion scores (Score ≥ 2) were observed in 97% (34/35) of internal tapers (sleeve-femoral stem contact), 57% (17/30) of external tapers (sleeve-femoral head contact), and 65% (11/17) of the stems. The internal sleeve had higher fretting corrosion scores than the external taper (Mean Score Difference [MSD] = 1.1; p = 0.001) and stem (MSD = 0.7; p = 0.016). Fretting corrosion scores were correlated with implantation time at all surfaces (Rho ≥ 0.53; p ≤ 0.015). Scores were not correlated with sleeve dimensions (p > 0.05). Fretting corrosion scores of the external sleeve correlated directly with activity level (p = 0.005) and inversely with patient age (p = 0.03). Discussion The retrieval data shows that fretting corrosion can occur in these components, particularly on the internal surface of the sleeve. The corrosion scores were similar to levels observed in prior studies of tapers in CoCr heads [2]. Implantation time was the main predictor of increased fretting corrosion. The impact of ceramic material and sleeve design currently remain unclear as the analyses were confounded with implantation time. Thus, more detailed and quantitative analyses are required to fully determine the factors that influence fretting corrosion of sleeved ceramic heads in THA.
Comparison of pneumotachography and anemometery for flow measurement during mechanical ventilation with volatile anesthetics

Volatile anesthetics alter the physical properties of inhaled gases, such as density and viscosity. We hypothesized that the use of these agents during mechanical ventilation would yield systematic biases in estimates of flow ( $$\dot{V}$$ ) and tidal volume (V T) for two commonly used flowmeters: the pneumotachograph (PNT), which measures a differential pressure across a calibrated resistive element, and the hot-wire anemometer (HWA), which operates based on convective heat transfer from a current-carrying wire to a flowing gas. We measured $$\dot{V}$$ during ventilation of a spring-loaded mechanical test lung, using both the PNT and HWA placed in series at the airway opening. Delivered V T was estimated from the numerically-integrated $$\dot{V}$$ . Measurements were acquired under baseline conditions with room air, and during ventilation with increasing concentrations of isoflurane, sevoflurane, and desflurane. We also evaluated a simple compensation technique for HWA flow, which accounted for changes in gas mixture density. We found that discrepancies in estimated V T between the PNT and HWA occurred during ventilation with isoflurane (6.3 ± 3.0%), sevoflurane (10.0 ± 7.3%), and desflurane (25.8 ± 17.2%) compared to baseline conditions. The magnitude of these discrepancies increased with anesthetic concentration. A simple compensation factor based on density reduced observed differences between the flowmeters, regardless of the anesthetic or concentration. These data indicate that the choice and concentration of anesthetic agents are primary factors for differences in estimated V T between the PNT and HWA. Such discrepancies may be compensated by accounting for alterations in gas density.
Conflict Avoidance and Political Participation

Previous explanations of mass participation have often focused on sociodemographic characteristics to the neglect of social psychological factors. This study takes a new path in thinking about the role of psychological factors in participation. Specifically, we hypothesize that individual propensities regarding conflict will influence the likelihood of participating in political affairs. We develop more specific expectations for how the avenue of participation interacts with individual propensities toward conflict to influence participation. Using secondary analysis of the Citizen Participation Study (CPS), we show that conflict avoidance is significantly and inversely related to participation in some kinds of activities, consistent with our expectations. Thus, both individual propensities and the political context influence participation. This study provides a new understanding of which individuals participate in political affairs and which avenues they choose. This suggests a need to reconsider the role of psychological factors in models of participation.
Physiology: Bone-derived hormone suppresses appetite

Bone is considered to be a multifunction endocrine organ that secretes hormones to regulate kidney function and glucose homeostasis. Here, Stavroula Kousteni and colleagues identify lipocalin 2 (LCN2), a protein secreted by osteoblasts, which also maintains glucose homeostasis by inducing insulin secretion and improving glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Remarkably, LCN2 crosses the blood brain barrier, binds to the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) in neurons of the hypothalamus and activates the MC4R-dependent anorexigenic pathway, which suppresses appetite. The authors conclude that LCN2 is a bone-derived metabolic regulatory hormone that can inhibit food intake and suggest that appetite is partially controlled by bone.
Prescription patterns and costs of acne/rosacea medications in Medicare patients vary by prescriber specialty.

Background Prescription patterns for acne/rosacea medications have not been described in the Medicare population, and comparisons across specialties are lacking. Objective To describe the medications used for treating acne/rosacea in the Medicare population and evaluate differences in costs between specialties. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed of the 2008 and 2010 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Prescription Drug Profiles, which contains 100% of Medicare part D claims. Results Topical antibiotics accounted for 63% of all prescriptions. Patients ≥65 years utilized more oral tetracycline-class antibiotics and less topical retinoids. Specialists prescribed brand name drugs for the most common topical retinoids and most common topical antibiotics more frequently than family medicine/internal medicine (FM/IM) physicians by 6%-7%. Topical retinoids prescribed by specialists were, on average, $18-$20 more in total cost and $2-$3 more in patient cost than the same types of prescriptions from FM/IM physicians per 30-day supply. Specialists (60%) and IM physicians (56%) prescribed over twice the rate of branded doxycycline than FM doctors did (27%). The total and patient costs for tetracycline-class antibiotics were higher from specialists ($18 and $4 more, respectively) and IM physicians ($3 and $1 more, respectively) than they were from FM physicians. Limitations The data might contain rare prescriptions used for conditions other than acne/rosacea, and suppression algorithms might underestimate the number of specialist brand name prescriptions. Conclusion Costs of prescriptions for acne/rosacea from specialists are higher than those from primary care physicians and could be reduced by choosing generic and less expensive options.
Time and Angle Spreading from Rough Sediments

Employing the Fresnel and Kirchhoff approximations in the Helmholtz Integral equation and assuming a Gaussian correlation function, an equation can be derived that predicts the time and spatial distribution of the acoustic intensity from a pulse propagated over a rough bottom. Inputs to this equation include an “effective” slope of the acoustic basement obtained from echo half duration time estimates. [McCammon and Burns, JASA,90 No4, Pt2, 1991] Numerical evaluations of this expression have produced angle and time distributions whose statistical characteristics have been extracted. In this paper, the relationships between the statistical descriptors (variance, skew and kurtosis) of the time and angle distributions will be described. It will be shown that at low frequencies over rough thin sediment regions where significant reflection for the acoustic basement is encountered, there is a clear relationship between time and angle spreading.
With Great Age Comes Great Metastatic Ability: Ovarian Cancer and the Appeal of the Aging Peritoneal Microenvironment.

Age is one of the biggest risk factors for ovarian cancer. Older women have higher rates of diagnosis and death associated with the disease. In mouse models, it was shown that aged mice had greater tumor burden than their younger counterparts when intraperitoneally injected with ovarian tumor cells. While very few papers have been published looking at the direct link between ovarian cancer metastasis and age, there is a wealth of information on how age affects metastatic microenvironments. Mesothelial cells, the peritoneal extracellular matrix (ECM), fibroblasts, adipocytes and immune cells all exhibit distinct changes with age. The aged peritoneum hosts a higher number of senescent cells than its younger counterpart, in both the mesothelium and the stroma. These senescent cells promote an inflammatory profile and overexpress Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs), which remodel the ECM. The aged ECM is also modified by dysregulated collagen and laminin synthesis, increases in age-related crosslinking and increasing ovarian cancer invasion into the matrix. These changes contribute to a vastly different microenvironment in young and aged models for circulating ovarian cancer cells, creating a more welcoming “soil”.
A clonal microculture that supports IgA expression by murine B cells

Immunoglobulin (Ig) isotype switching and commitment, generation of memory cells, and the functional potential of B cell subsets have been analyzed in two different clonal microcultures. One is antigen (Ag)-dependent, haplotype-restricted, and requires linked recognition of hapten and carrier. The other is Ag-independent and relies on the stimulation of single I-Ab cells by alloreactive D10 helper T cells. Immunising mice increased the frequency of clonal precursors among hapten-gelatin enriched cells as well as the proportion of clones secreting non-IgM isotypes. IgA was produced when either purified dendritic cells (DC) or IL-5/IL-6 were added to the T-B cultures. sIgD+ cells could be induced to produce a wide range of isotypes including IgA whereas a majority of sIgA+ cells produced IgA exclusively. Germinal centre (GC) cells could be stimulated in both systems to divide and produce antibody and this subset appears to contain a radiation-resistant population that secretes mainly IgA upon allo -recognition by D10 cells in the presence of DC.
Electron Swarm Data Relevant to High-Voltage Insulation

The Atomic Collision Information Center of the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics has begun the task of identifying, assembling and evaluating swarm data with the latter two tasks placing particular emphasis on data needed for modeling problems related to gaseous dielectrics. The first phase of this has been a data index with a comprehensive bibliography. With this data index, it is possible to identify the publications containing specific data for specific gases if available.
Beware the Alar Base Optical Illusion in Assessment of Unilateral Cleft Lip Nasal Deformity.

Background After repair of unilateral cleft lip, lateral drift of the alar base is expected and may require revision. Although the alar base appears wider than on the noncleft side, by measurement it could be symmetric or narrow. Is this an optical illusion? Methods This is a retrospective photographic evaluation of children who underwent repair of unilateral complete cleft lip and palate. On submental standardized photographs, raters judged whether the alar base position was wider, equal to, or narrower than on the noncleft side. The true alar base position was measured by photogrammetry and the frequency of alar base misjudgment was assessed. On control photographs, the cleft side alar base was wider than the noncleft side. On test photographs, the cleft side alar base was narrower than the noncleft side. Possible association between misjudgment and nasal features was also evaluated. Data were analyzed using the Fisher's exact test. Results Three raters assessed 61 patients aged 6 to 9 years and treated between 1995 and 2015. In 77 percent of control photographs, raters correctly judged the cleft side alar base as wider. In 65 percent of test photographs, raters incorrectly judged the alar base position as wider on the cleft side. Asymmetry of nostril outline and a transverse nostril axis were associated with misjudged photographs (p Conclusions Alar base assessment can be altered by an optical illusion. Simple anthropometry counters this misperception. Measurement should be repeated after correction of the deviated anterocaudal septum and elevation of the lower lateral cartilage. Thereafter, a decision is made on altering the alar base position. Clinical question/level of evidence Diagnostic, II.
More than time and money: A mixed‐methods study of the barriers to safer cattle handling practices

BACKGROUND Cattle are responsible for more injuries and fatalities than any farm animal, and cattle-related nonfatal injuries are some of the costliest, requiring more time off work than other injuries. Though research has improved our understanding of cattle behavior, developed low-stress handling practices, and determined how facilities can be safer, injury rates remain high. This project identified the types of equipment commonly used on farms and assessed farmer perceptions of safety and barriers to implementing changes. METHODS A mixed-methods design was used for this study. The study was comprised of a survey (N = 66) and four site visits conducted at operations focusing on different types of beef production in Iowa, United States. Information collected included descriptive characteristics of the operator and operation, tasks carried out on the farm, handling facility components and design, and incidents of handling-related injuries. RESULTS Most farms indicated that they utilized equipment like alleyways, a manual headgate, a sorting/diverter gate, and a manual squeeze chute. Farmers cited the cost of equipment, lack of necessity (their setup worked well already), and lack of time as being the main reasons they have not implemented changes in their operations. However, qualitative responses provided additional details and nuance, illuminating farmers' anxieties related to farm transitions, knowledge, and trust of equipment sales personnel. CONCLUSION This study provides health and safety professionals with additional details about why beef cattle producers may choose not to invest in safer handling equipment, even when they recognize the safety benefits of doing so.
The MyShake Platform: A Global Vision for Earthquake Early Warning

The MyShake Platform is an operational framework to provide earthquake early warning (EEW) to people in earthquake-prone regions. It is unique among approaches to EEW as it is built on existing smartphone technology to both detect earthquakes and issue warnings. It therefore has the potential to provide EEW wherever there are smartphones, and there are now smartphones wherever there are people. The MyShake framework can also integrate other sources of alerts and deliver them to users, as well and delivering its alerts through other channels as needed. The MyShake Platform builds on experience from the first 3 years of MyShake operation. Over 300,000 people around the globe have downloaded the MyShake app and participated in this citizen science project to detect earthquakes and provide seismic waveforms for research. These operations have shown that earthquakes can be detected, located, and the magnitude estimated ~ 5 to 7 s after the origin time, and alerts can be delivered to smartphones in ~ 1 to 5 s. A human-centered design process produced key insights to the needs of users that have been incorporated into MyShake2.0 which is being release for Android and iOS devices in June 2019. MyShake2.0 will also deliver EEW alerts, initially in California and hopes to expand service to other regions.
Statistical Programing in SAS (2nd ed.)

This book is useful for people who want to learn SAS programing, and assumes the students have knowledge of multiple linear regression and one-way ANOVA models. A course in computer programing woul...
COVID-19; An Update on the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

An update of the evidence base for the emerging SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and guidance on resources for health professionals
The orchestrated cellular and molecular responses of the kidney to endotoxin define the sepsis timeline

Abstract Clinical sepsis is a highly dynamic state that progresses at variable rates and has life-threatening consequences. Staging patients along the sepsis timeline requires a thorough knowledge of the evolution of cellular and molecular events at the tissue level. Here, we investigated the kidney, an organ central to the pathophysiology of sepsis. Single cell RNA sequencing revealed the involvement of various cell populations in injury and repair to be temporally organized and highly orchestrated. We identified key changes in gene expression that altered cellular functions and can explain features of clinical sepsis. These changes converged towards a remarkable global cell-cell communication failure and organ shutdown at a well-defined point in the sepsis timeline. Importantly, this time point was also a transition towards the emergence of recovery pathways. This rigorous spatial and temporal definition of murine sepsis will uncover precise biomarkers and targets that can help stage and treat human sepsis.
Cytomorphologic Spectrum of SMARCB1-Deficient Soft Tissue Neoplasms.

Objectives The SWI/SNF complex core subunit SMARCB1 is inactivated in a variety of neoplasms that share characteristic "rhabdoid" cytomorphology. The aim of this study was to evaluate SMARCB1-deficient soft tissue neoplasms on cytology to identify diagnostic clues. Methods Eleven SMARCB1-deficient tumors, including six epithelioid sarcomas, three malignant rhabdoid tumors, one epithelioid malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), and one poorly differentiated chordoma with fine-needle aspiration (FNA), serous effusion, or touch prep (TP) from two institutions, were included. Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed in two cases. Results Evaluation of FNA (n = 4), effusion (n = 4), and TP (n = 3) in nine adult and two pediatric patients demonstrated cellular samples (n = 11), epithelioid cells with rhabdoid morphology (n = 9), eccentrically located nuclei with prominent nucleoli (n = 7), and cytoplasmic bodies (n = 4); two patients were diagnosed on FNA with cell block. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) demonstrated SMARCB1 loss in all cases and keratin and/or EMA expression in all but the epithelioid MPNST; NGS identified SMARCB1 inactivation in both cases. Conclusions SMARCB1-deficient soft tissue neoplasms comprise a variety of tumors with epithelioid morphology and frequent expression of keratin and/or EMA. Recognition of characteristic rhabdoid morphology on cytology can prompt IHC and/or NGS testing for SMARCB1 deficiency and help establish the diagnosis.
Trends in gender and race/ethnicity of PharmD students and faculty in US pharmacy schools.

INTRODUCTION This study described and compared trends in the distribution of gender and race/ethnicity for doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students and faculty in schools and colleges of pharmacy in the United States. METHODS Institution-level gender (male and female) and racial/ethnic (White, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino) data for full-time faculty were obtained from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy institutional database for 2009-2019. PharmD students' demographic data during the same study period were collected separately for applications, enrollments, and degrees conferred. Generalized linear regression models were applied to examine trends in proportion of PharmD students and faculty distribution in subgroups of different gender and race/ethnicity at P < .05. All analyses were conducted using SAS, version 9.4 (SAS Institute). RESULTS Significantly increasing trends in female full-time faculty, PharmD applications, and enrollments were observed; however, the trend in female PharmD degrees conferred remained stable from 2009 to 2019. While the trends in proportion of PharmD applications, enrollments, and degrees conferred for Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino students increased significantly, declines and stable trends in the proportion of Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino faculty, respectively, were identified during the same time. CONCLUSIONS Upward trends in proportions of Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino PharmD applications, enrollments, and degrees conferred were not mirrored by trends in proportions of underrepresented faculty. Implementation of effective faculty diversity and inclusion strategies is warranted to better meet the educational needs of PharmD students.
CAN A PERPETRATOR WRITE A TESTIMONIO? Moral Lessons from the Dark Side

By posing a heuristically provocative question, this essay compares and explores in some detail the testimonies of three infamous perpetrators from the Nazi period—Albert Speer, Rudolph Hoess, and Adolf Eichmann—for what they reveal about their motives, ideological thinking, and strategies of denial and self-deception, as well as influences from their social, political, and cultural context. The conclusion drawn is that many of the external and internal factors at work in them are recognizable to us as features of our own moral experience and, further, that this recognition is particularly important for motivating self-scrutiny in our own lives for any hints of impending complicity with moral evil.
Effects of Seed Treatments and a Soil-applied Nematicide on Corn Yields and Nematode Population Densities

Plant-parasitic nematodes are microscopic worms that feed on plants. Almost every nematode that feeds on corn is capable of feeding on many other plants. These nematode parasites are thought to be native to most Iowa soils and to have fed upon native plants before corn was grown as a cultivated crop. Population densities (numbers) of most species of plant-parasitic nematodes that feed on corn have to increase to damaging levels (called damage thresholds) before yield loss occurs.
Quantifying Sensible Weather Forecast Variability

Abstract : The long-term goal of this research is to examine the tactical-scale environmental predictability and provide a methodology by which it may be operationally assessed or monitored. Sensible weather occurs on small scales and the development and evolution of these small-scale features depends strongly on the larger scale environment. Synoptic-scale variability is represented by the individual members in a well-designed ensemble modeling system. The objective of this research is to quantify the local-scale variations in sensible weather elements, like fog, due to larger scale variability. The sensitivity of selected weather elements to synoptic-scale background variance will be quantified to identify when local-scale predictability may be high or low. The basic approach that is used to investigate the tactical-scale sensible weather forecast sensitivity is to conduct a variety of numerical model experiments. The time range of interest is the 0-48 hour forecast of sensible weather elements of operational interest. Sensible weather elements are generally not explicitly forecast by numerical models but will be derived algorithmically if needed by using appropriate combinations of explicitly forecast variables. These algorithms are applied across a set of ensemble forecasts to determine the ensemble-based probability of occurrence for a particular weather element. The NCEP GFS-based ensemble provides the basis for generating probabilistic forecasts of a variety of sensible weather elements in the 0-48 hour time period. Deterministic mesoscale forecasts for the region are available from a 3km resolution forecast from COAMPS and are used to derive mesoscale sensible weather forecasts that are tuned to this model. Additional COAMPS model runs are conducted using the NCEP ensemble members to initiate COAMPS forecasts to produce a mesoscale ensemble based on the predicted synoptic scale variance.
Titanium oxide absorption and spot sizes in II PEG, HR 1099, and UX ARI

Excess TiO absorption line strengths have been detected in II Peg, HR 1099, and UX Ari, directly indicating large cool regions in the photosphere. Spot sizes of 10%–20% of the stellar surface area and temperatures equivalent to an M6 spectral type were derived from a spectroscopic model.