cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TU-FF-A3-01: Periodic Autoregressive Moving Average Model for the Prediction of Intrafraction Respiratory Motion

Purpose: The prediction of intrafractional tumor motion is required for the development of real‐time motion managed radiation therapy. This work investigates the ability of a Periodic Autoregressive Moving Average (PARMA) algorithm to model and predict respiration motion. Methods and Materials: The PARMA algorithm models input signals as partially correlated time‐series superimposed onto periodic waveforms. This investigation assessed the limitations of the PARMA method for accurately predicting signals with varying levels of non‐periodic behaviour. A one‐dimensional respiratory motion phantom was developed, which generates waveforms to simulate breathing patterns with randomized non‐periodicity and noise. Multiple signals were analysed for each of 441 levels of non‐uniformity in cycle‐length and amplitude. These signals were approximately 200 seconds long with 50 inhale‐exhale cycles on average. Results: Prediction errors were found to be dependent on prediction lag and the level of variation in the signal. At 0.5 s ahead of the input signal, the PARMA prediction was accurate to within 4.8±0.4%of the total motion extent when the respiration signals had a 14% standard deviation in cycle‐length and 14% standard deviation in inhale‐exhale amplitude. These errors increased to 9.4±0.8% for predictions made at 1.0 second ahead of the input signal. As the inter‐cycle variation in the phantom signals increased to 34%, the prediction errors also increased to 11.6±1.4% at 0.5 second and 21.6±2.0% at 1.0 second. Conclusion: Our investigation showed the PARMA prediction algorithm can be used to predict respiration patterns within the lag‐time required to make the mechanical adjustments to steer the treatment beam in‐sync with the motion of the target. However, an assumption of a single harmonic component results in a strong dependence on the stability in cycle‐length, with less dependence on the cycle‐to‐cycle amplitude of motion. As such, the PARMA algorithm may be used to predict resting respiration and well coached breathing patterns.
VARIATIONS IN THE MINERALOGICAL COMPOSITION OF CESTODE CALCAREOUS CORPUSCLES.

Abstract 1. 1. The calcareous corpuscles of Cysticercus cellulosae , larval Spirometra mansonoides , Taenia saginata , and Diphyllobothrium latum contain various proportions of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and CO 2 as major components. 2. 2. The corpuscles of these worms, and those of the previously studied Taenia taeniaeformis , contain in addition several minor inorganic constituents. The corpuscles of the larval worms show a smaller variety of the minor components than those of the adult worms. 3. 3. The crystallization patterns induced by heat or KOH treatment vary, especially in respect to the phosphorus-containing compounds. Three of the latter have been identified: Hydroxyapatite, whitlockite, and calcium-magnesium-orthophosphate. The crystallization variations may be related to the ratios in which the major components occur in the corpuscles of the different species.
Leisure as an issue for the future

Man's attitude towards leisure is developing, and the time he has to enjoy it is expanding. The new attitudes, values, policies and even cultures that this suggests, present a challenge for interpretation and projection to the emerging discipline of futures.
The 0.5 MeV gamma ray flux and the energy loss spectrum in CsI(Tl) at 4 g/cm2

Energy loss spectrum in CsI at small atmospheric depths, discussing time variation of 0.5-mev gamma-ray flux
Use of a simulation model to examine effects of nutrient loading and grazing on Potamogeton perfoliatus L. communities in microcosms

Abstract We constructed a numerical simulation model of an enclosed, submersed macrophyte ecosystem to examine the effects of nutrient supply rates, grazer densities and initial conditions on macrophytes and epiphytic algae. The model included an internal, non-structural plant nutrient pool that controlled root and leaf nutrient uptake and was calibrated to literature values and mesocosm experiments. Simulations were run to examine how initial conditions, nutrient supply rates and the presence of grazers may affect macrophyte–algal competition experiments. Simulations revealed that the outcome of an experiment could be largely controlled by the initial conditions or by biomass changes during the experiment. For example, high initial macrophyte biomass reduced light and nutrients available for algae, which prevented the overgrowth of algae, even at high nutrient addition rates. Epiphytic algae biomass increased with water exchange rate regardless of inflow nutrient concentration. Submersed plants grew best at lower exchange rates that allowed nutrient concentrations to be drawn down, slowing algal growth. Simulations showed that the effect of grazers on epiphyte biomass was greatest at intermediate nutrient addition rates. When grazers were absent, macrophyte biomass could be highest with low or high inflow nutrient concentrations, depending on the exchange rate. Model analysis also revealed that it is essential to consider nutrient loading rate per unit macrophyte biomass, not just nutrient concentration, when quantifying the effects of eutrophication on submersed macrophytes in shallow water. These results show the utility of using a simulation model together with ecosystem experiments. They also show how water exchange rates, which can depend on bed size, could affect eutrophication responses of submersed macrophyte ecosystems.
The ‘duality’ of VET in Austria: institutional competition between school and apprenticeship

This article analyses the structure and development of Austrian apprenticeship in the context of the country’s wider vocational education and training (VET) system. In doing so, it draws on officia...
Identification of the Attainable Region for Batch Reactor Networks

In this work, we describe a method for automatically identifying the set of all points in concentration space that represent outlet compositions of some network of discretely fed batch reactors for a given reaction set with known kinetics. This so-called batch attainable region (BAR) is dependent on the batch network's feed and total operating time, and it is shown to be quantifiable using the Infinite DimEnsionAl State-space (IDEAS) framework. We first establish that a simple batch reactor model possesses the properties that allow application of the IDEAS framework. We then formulate the resulting IDEAS Infinite Linear Program (ILP) whose solution is guaranteed to identify the globally optimal network of batch reactors. We subsequently use a simple transformation of this IDEAS ILP that leads us to propose two algorithms that are related to the construction of the true BAR. The first is a “Shrink-Wrap”-like algorithm that is similar to that previously reported [Manousiouthakis et al. The Shrink-Wrap Algor...
Myocardial perfusion imaging after transient balloon occlusion during percutaneous coronary interventions

Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is highly sensitive in detecting rest ischemia when the radiotracer is injected during the episode of ischemia. The frequency of abnormal MPI results after resolution of ischemia is not well defined. The aim of this study was to determine how long MPI results remain abnormal after transient coronary artery occlusion. Patients undergoing single-vessel percutaneous coronary intervention were injected with technetium 99m sestamibi at 30 to 60 minutes (group 1) (n=20) or 90 to 120 minutes (group 2) (n=10) after the last balloon inflation and 24 hours later. There were 30 men aged 59±8 years. The culprit vessel was the left anterior descending artery in 14 patients and the right coronary artery in 13. The diameter stenosis was reduced from 76.1%±8.7% to 3.0%±6.4% (P<.001). The duration of balloon inflation was 40.3±12.5 seconds. Chest pain or ST shifts occurred in 66% of patients. A perfusion defect in the territory of the culprit artery was detected in 3 of 20 patients (15%) in group 1 and in 0 of 10 patients (0%) in group 2 (P=.3). One of those three patients had a perfusion defect on MPI done 24 hours later, along with a regional wall motion abnormality on the 2 sets of images. Abnormal perfusion is seen in a small percentage of patients at 30 to 60 minutes and in none at 90 to 120 minutes after a brief transient balloon occlusion. These results might have important implications in patient care.
Chronic inflammation drives glioma growth: cellular and molecular factors responsible for an immunosuppressive microenvironment

This review examines glioma disease initiation, promotion, and progression with a focus on the cell types present within the tumor mass and the molecules responsible for the immunosuppressive microenvironment that are present at each step of the disease. The cell types and molecules present also correlate with the grade of malignancy. An overall type 2 chronic inflammatory microenvironment develops that facilitates glioma promotion and contributes to the neo-vascularization characteristic of gliomas. An immunosuppressive microenvironment shields the tumor mass from clearance by the patient's own immune system. Here, we provide suggestions to deal with a chronically-inflamed tumor microenvironment and provide recommendations to help optimize adjuvant immune- and gene therapies currently offered to glioma patients.
From ePortfolios to iPortfolios: The find, refine, design, and bind model

During the past two decades, educational institutions around the world began formalizing the process of collecting student work as a means of showcasing student accomplishments and ultimately providing students a forum for reflecting on their accomplishments. In this article, the authors propose a redefinition of the electronic portfolio development process in a way that supports 21st century learning in which students FIND, REFINE, DESIGN, and BIND materials in the virtual "cloud”. The authors believe that by incorporating Web 2.0 tools educators will have the opportunity to technologically integrate the students’ school work into their general work flow, their entertainment flow, and ultimately into their web-based curricular work flow. Integration will hopefully reduce student resistance to portfolio development as an add-on activity and allow portfolios to become more personal, providing a richer connection between the students’ lives, their education, and their paths to knowledge. Resume : Au cours des deux dernieres decennies, les etablissements d’enseignement a travers le monde ont commence a formaliser le processus de collecte des travaux des eleves comme moyen de presenter leurs realisations et, a terme, de fournir aux eleves un forum leur permettant de reflechir sur leurs realisations. Dans cet article, les auteurs proposent de redefinir le processus d’elaboration du portfolio electronique de maniere a ce qu’il soutienne l’apprentissage du 21e siecle au sein duquel les eleves TROUVENT et AFFINENT les materiaux, CONCOIVENT une presentation et LIENT les elements ensemble dans le « nuage » virtuel. Les auteurs estiment qu’incorporer les outils Web 2.0 donnera aux educateurs l’occasion d’integrer technologiquement les travaux scolaires des eleves dans leur flux de travaux general, leur flux de divertissement et, enfin, dans leur flux de travaux scolaires en ligne. Cette integration, nous l’esperons, permettra de diminuer la reticence des etudiants a l’egard des portfolios en presentant leur elaboration comme une activite complementaire; les portfolios pourraient ainsi devenir plus personnels et constituer un lien plus riche entre la vie des eleves, leur education, et leurs chemins vers la connaissance.
Comparative acute toxicity of neonicotinoid and pyrethroid insecticides to non-target crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) associated with rice-crayfish crop rotations.

BACKGROUND: Most insecticides used to control rice water weevil (Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuscel) infestations are pyrethroids. However, pyrethroids are highly toxic to non-target crayfish associated with rice–crayfish crop rotations. One solution to the near-exclusive reliance on pyrethroids in a rice–crayfish pest management program is to incorporate neonicotinoid insecticides, which are insect specific and effective against weevils but not extremely toxic to crayfish. This study aimed to take the first step to assess neonicotinoids as alternatives to pyrethroids in rice–crayfish crop rotations by measuring the acute toxicities of three candidate neonicotinoid insecticides, clothianidin, dinotefuran and thiamethoxam, to juvenile Procambarus clarkii (Girard) crayfish and comparing them with the acute toxicities of two currently used pyrethroid insecticides, lambda-cyhalothrin and etofenprox. RESULTS: Neonicotinoid insecticides are at least 2–3 orders of magnitude less acutely toxic (96 h LC50) than pyrethroids to juvenile Procambarid crayfish: lambda-cyhalothrin (0.16 µg AI L−1) = etofenprox (0.29 µg AI L−1) ≫ clothianidin (59 µg AI L−1) > thiamethoxam (967 µg AI L−1) > dinotefuran (2032 µg AI L−1). CONCLUSION: Neonicotinoid insecticides appear to be much less hazardous alternatives to pyrethroids in rice–crayfish crop rotations. Further field-level neonicotinoid acute and chronic toxicity testing with crayfish is needed. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Elektrolysen in Acetonitril

Die in wasserfreier Essigsaure durchgefuhrten Elektrolyseversuche(1) zeigten, das fur die Darstellung reiner Metallhalogenide bzw. -pseudohalogenide auf elektrolytischem Wege solche Salze als Elektrolyte verwendet werden mussen, deren Metall edler ist als das des herzustellenden Halogenids, so das es auf Grund seiner Stellung in der Spannungsreihe zuerst abgeschieden wird. Da die Cu- und Ag-Salze in wasserfreier Essigsaure praktisch unloslich sind, war es erforderlich, zu einem anderen Losungsmittel uberzugehen. Als besonders aussichtsreich erwies sich Acetonitril. Die Elektrolyse von Cu-Halogeniden bot eine einfache Darstellungsmoglichkeit von wasserfreien Metallhalogeniden wie die des Co, Ni, Zn, Cd und Sn. Durch Elektrolyse von AgNO3-Losungen mit den entsprechenden Metallanoden konnten ferner Co(NO3)2 · 3 CH3CN, Ni(NO3)2 · 2 CH3CN, Zn(NO3)2 · 2 CH3CN und Cd(NO3)2 · CH3CN dargestellt werden. In gleicher Weise konnten verdunnte Losungen der normalen Nitrate des Sb, Bi und Mn hergestellt werden. Bei den Elektrolyseversuchen an AgClO4-Losungen in Acetonitril lies sich Sb(ClO4)3 und Bi(ClO4)3 in Losung herstellen, wahrend es im Falle des Sn(ClO4)2 gelang, in reiner Form die Verbindung Sn(ClO4)2 · 2 CH3CN zu erhalten.
The Mexican empire of Iturbide

"Anna tells the story of the rise and fall of Mexico's 'Liberator' from September 1821 to March 1823. He highlights Iturbide's contributions to Mexican independence, his crowning as emperor, his historic struggle with Congress, and the role that regionalism played in his downfall. The strong point of the book is Anna's debunking of William Spence Robertson's Iturbide of Mexico and other biographies." - R. Acuna, "Choice".
Endogenous Angiogenic Inhibitors in Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder of multiple etiologies characterized by chronic hyperglycemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion (type 1), insulin action (type 2), or both. Diabetes is a devastating disease as it causes long-term damage, dysfunction, and failure of various organs, such as the eye, kidney, brain, and peripheral nerves. Among these systemic complications, diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most troublesome problems as it is a major cause of blindness. Almost 100% of type 1 diabetic patients and more than 60% of type 2 diabetic patients develop DR during the first two decades of diabetes (1). Great efforts have been made in the past decades to prevent or delay the onset of DR, as well as to prevent vision loss in diabetic patients. Intensive glycemic and blood pressure control, as established by the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS), can decrease the incidence and delay the progression of DR (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). Timely laser photocoagulation therapy can prevent the vision loss in a large proportion of patients with severe DR (8, 9, 10, 11, 12). However, laser therapy is associated with common adverse effects and high costs. Currently, there is no effective drug treatment for DR and thus, DR remains a leading cause of blindness in the industrialized countries.
Interferons Regulate the Phenotype of Wild-type and Mutant Herpes Simplex Viruses In Vivo

Mechanisms responsible for neuroattenuation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) have been defined previously by studies of mutant viruses in cultured cells. The hypothesis that null mutations in host genes can override the attenuated phenotype of null mutations in certain viral genes was tested. Mutants such as those in infected cell protein (ICP) 0, thymidine kinase, ribonucleotide reductase, virion host shutoff, and ICP34.5 are reduced in their capacity to replicate in nondividing cells in culture and in vivo. The replication of these viruses was examined in eyes and trigeminal ganglia for 1–7 d after corneal inoculation in mice with null mutations (−/−) in interferon receptors (IFNR) for type I IFNs (IFN-α/βR), type II IFN (IFN-γR), and both type I and type II IFNs (IFN-α/β/γR). Viral titers in eyes and ganglia of IFN-γR−/− mice were not significantly different from congenic controls. However, in IFN-α/βR−/− or IFN-α/β/γR−/− mice, growth of all mutants, including those with significantly impaired growth in cell culture, was enhanced by up to 1,000-fold in eyes and trigeminal ganglia. Blepharitis and clinical signs of infection were evident in IFN-α/βR−/− and IFN-α/β/γR−/− but not control mice for all viruses. Also, IFNs were shown to significantly reduce productive infection of, and spread from intact, but not scarified, corneas. Particularly striking was restoration of near-normal trigeminal ganglion replication and neurovirulence of an ICP34.5 mutant in IFN-α/βR−/− mice. These data show that IFNs play a major role in limiting mutant and wild-type HSV replication in the cornea and in the nervous system. In addition, the in vivo target of ICP34.5 may be host IFN responses. These experiments demonstrate an unsuspected role for host factors in defining the phenotypes of some HSV mutants in vivo. The phenotypes of mutant viruses therefore cannot be interpreted based solely upon studies in cell culture but must be considered carefully in the context of host factors that may define the in vivo phenotype.
Evaluating Cities, Multidimensionality, and Diminishing Returns

In order to evaluate multiple alternatives such as cities across multiple criteria such as climate and housing, one needs to be sensitive to the importance of working with a common measurement unit...
Acute myeloid leukemia with complex karyotypes and abnormal chromosome 21: Amplification discloses overexpression of APP, ETS2, and ERG genes

Molecular mechanisms of leukemogenesis have been successfully unraveled by studying genes involved in simple rearrangements including balanced translocations and inversions. In contrast, little is known about genes altered in complex karyotypic abnormalities. We studied acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with complex karyotypes and abnormal chromosome 21. High-resolution bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) array-based comparative genomic hybridization disclosed amplification predominantly in the 25- to 30-megabase (MB) region that harbors the APP gene (26.3 MB) and at position 38.7-39.1 MB that harbors the transcription factors ERG and ETS2. Using oligonucleotide arrays, APP was by far the most overexpressed gene (mean fold change 19.74, P = 0.0003) compared to a control group of AML with normal cytogenetics; ERG and ETS2 also ranked among the most highly expressed chromosome 21 genes. Overexpression of APP and ETS2 correlated with genomic amplification, but high APP expression occurred even in a subset of AML patients with normal cytogenetics (10 of 64, 16%). APP encodes a glycoprotein of unknown function previously implicated in Alzheimer's disease, but not in AML. We hypothesize that APP and the transcription factors ERG and ETS2 are altered by yet unknown molecular mechanisms involved in leukemogenesis. Our results highlight the value of molecularly dissecting leukemic cells with complex karyotypes.
Third ventricular coinjection of subthreshold doses of NPY and AgRP stimulate food hoarding and intake and neural activation

We previously demonstrated that 3rd ventricular (3V) neuropeptide Y (NPY) or agouti-related protein (AgRP) injection potently stimulates food foraging/hoarding/intake in Siberian hamsters. Because ...
The effects of psychological stress on the esophagogastric junction pressure and swallow-induced relaxation

Abstract Background/Aims: Short-term psychological stress increases pressure in the upper esophageal sphincter and increases esophageal contraction amplitude. The effects of short-term psychological stress on the two sphincteric mechanisms at the esophagogastric junction (EGJ), the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and crural diaphragm, were studied. Methods: Studies were performed in 20 normal, healthy subjects. LES and crural diaphragm functions were measured simultaneously using an electrode sleeve sensor. Three psychological stress tasks, math, cold, and stress interview, were tested. The data were analyzed for tonic (end expiratory) and phasic (inspiratory increase) EGJ pressure and electromyographic changes during the stress period. Spontaneous swallow-induced EGJ relaxation was also assessed. Results: A significant decrease in tonic EGJ pressure occurred during the math and cold tasks. The tonic EGJ pressure was 19 ± 2 and 14 ± 2 during baseline and the math task, respectively. Stress caused no change in the phasic EGJ pressures. Tonic and phasic crural diaphragm electromyographic activity increased during all three stress periods. Spontaneous swallow-induced relaxation at the EGJ during the stress periods was reduced from 60% ± 2% in the baseline to 39% ± 5% during the stress periods. Conclusions: Short-term psychological stress lowers EGJ pressure through inhibition of the LES and increases tonic and phasic crural diaphragmatic contraction. Diminished swallow-induced relaxation at the EGJ during stress may lead to changes in esophageal contractions.
On The Road To Universal Coverage: Impacts Of Reform In Massachusetts At One Year

In April 2006, Massachusetts passed legislation intended to move the state to near-universal coverage within three years and, in conjunction with that expansion, to improve access to affordable, high-quality health care. In roughly the first year under reform, uninsurance among working-age adults was reduced by almost half among those surveyed, dropping from 13 percent in fall 2006 to 7 percent in fall 2007. At the same time, access to care improved, and the share of adults with high out-of-pocket costs and problems paying medical bills dropped. Despite higher-than-anticipated costs, most residents of the state continued to support reform.
Computational Analysis of Aileron Effectiveness Characteristics on An Advanced Wing

This paper examines the capability of current wing design CFD tools to simulate experimental results from a National Transonic Facility wind tunnel test conducted to investigate Reynolds number effects on aileron effectiveness characteristics. The objective of this study was to reach a better understanding of the flows developing around the aileron. The aileron effectiveness experiment was carried out on an advanced wing with an outboard aileron at two different Reynolds numbers. Experimental results indicate a reduction in aileron effectiveness at high Reynolds number that is not apparent at low Reynolds number. The cause of this reduction seems to be the trailing-edge separation that occurred at high aileron deflections. The flow solver OVERFLOW with the SpalartAllmaras turbulence model was utilized to simulate this flow field. Although CFD predicted pressure distributions correlate well with the test data the increment of rolling moment is under-predict ed. This leads to a delayed prediction of the loss of aileron effectiveness seen experimentally.
The Lived Experience of Feeling Very Tired: A Study Using the Parse Research Method

The purpose of this study was to answer the research question, What is the structure of the lived experience of feeling very tired? The Parse research method was used to discover the meaning of feeling very tired for 10 women volunteer participants. The major finding of the study is the structure: The lived experience of feeling very tired is devitalizing languor arising with engaging endeavors amid pulsating moments of repose-revive. The study finding contributes knowledge about feeling very tired and its connection to health and quality of life. The structure is discussed in light of the principles of human becoming, and suggestions are made for future research.
The Need for a Standard Terminology

One thing may be taken for granted: We can get only as much of international management as we can get an international standard terminology. The British Institute of Management has done a lot of research in this field. The results, however, are not very encouraging as yet. In a sectional meeting Mr. Winston Rodgers,1 head of the Department of Management, Acton Technical College, presented a paper on the subject which was widely discussed by the experts of the B.I.M. To illustrate the confusion which has arisen the author chose the words “management” and “administration.” He reported that some authorities refer to the former as a policy-forming activity and to the latter as the activity concerned with carrying out the policy. But the famous British expert Brech who was briefly referred to in the foregoing part states in “The Nature and Significance of Management” that management is the generic term for the total process of executive control. The Chairman of the meeting Lt.-Col. L. Urwick added that the Oxford Concise Dictionary offers an explanation of the term management in a verbal sense as an “especially trickery, deceitful contrivance.” Looking up the word “factory” we will find “Merchant company’s foreign trading station.”
Pulling out all the stops to make the distance: Effects of effort and optical information in distance perception responses made by rope pulling

Human observers perceive distance in remarkably stable and consistent manner across response methods and experimental paradigms. Most empirical work on the problem focused exclusively on geometrical variables, such as angle of declination below the horizon (Ooi, Wu, & He, 2001), with more recent considerations of nonvisual factors, such as effort (Proffitt, 2006). Hajnal, Bunch, and Kelty-Stephen (2014) showed that in addition to the object's physical angle of declination below the horizon, nonvisual variables related to effort were utilized when making distance estimates to objects placed on a sloped ramp. In that experiment, the horizontal ground surface was visible in the background when viewing objects placed on the sloped surface. To further investigate the joint utility of geometric and effort-based variables, we tested the effect of both classes of predictors on a natural hillside where a flat, horizontal surface was not visible in the background. This setup allowed us to evaluate whether observers rely on the same information to perceive distance on ramps versus real hills. The present research implicates the hypothesis that perceived effort and the geometry of space determine distance perception through interactions across multiple temporal scales of perceptual competence.
High-Speed Wideband Integrated Magneto-Optic Frequency Shifter and Modulator

Improvements on a novel optical frequency shifting and modulation scheme that utilizes a single noncollinear conlanar guided-wave magnetooptic (MO) Bragg diffraction from magnetostatic waves (MSW) in a yttrium-iron-garnet/gadolinium-gallium-garnet (YIG/GGG) waveguide is reported. The scheme ensures constancy in the output angle of the frequency-shifted light beam, irrespective of the amount of frequency shift, through synchronous tuning of the carrier frequency of the microwave drive signal and the bias magnetic field using an electronic synchronizer. A curved hybrid wavegude lens was incorporated in the same waveguide substrate to enhance integration. The device operating at the optical wavelength of 1.302.tm and the microwave carrier frequency at X-band has demonstrated desirable characteristics such as large frequency shift (6–12 GHz), large tunable bandwidth (2–4 GHz), good dynamic range (31 to 34 dB), and high tuning speed (≈ 10 μs).
A comparison of heterosexual and LGBTQ cancer survivors' outlooks on relationships, family building, possible infertility, and patient-doctor fertility risk communication.

Little research about cancer-related infertility has examined the experiences and needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) cancer survivors. This research seeks to understand how LGBTQ survivors are similar to or different from heterosexual survivors with respect to cancer treatments’ effects on relationships, plans for parenthood, and fertility preservation decision making. Semi-structured telephone interviews conducted with adolescent or young adult (AYA) cancer survivors (n = 56) were coded for themes. Interviews consisted of questions about pre- and post-diagnosis thoughts about relationships, parenthood, possible infertility, and how information about fertility risks was received. While LGBTQ (n = 22) and heterosexual (n = 34) survivors reported similar challenges when dating post-diagnosis, heterosexual survivors were more likely to report fertility concerns as affecting romantic relationships (p < .05). LGBTQ survivors seemed more open to raising non-biological children or not becoming a parent than heterosexual survivors. LGBTQ survivors generally reported being satisfied with or indifferent to the information that they were given regarding fertility loss, despite reporting receiving similar amounts of information as compared to heterosexual patients (p < .10). LGBTQ patients’ views on relationships, parenthood, and family building seemed to result in less distress when faced with infertility. However, interventions facilitating information exchange about dating, fertility risks, and family building options may be valuable to LGBTQ and heterosexual cancer survivors. LGBTQ cancer survivors may display more adaptive coping with respect to relationships and fertility loss. Oncology professionals may want to proactively introduce positive coping strategies to reduce distress among AYA cancer survivors at risk for infertility.
Rapamycin rescues vascular, metabolic and learning deficits in apolipoprotein E4 transgenic mice with pre-symptomatic Alzheimer's disease.

Apolipoprotein E ɛ4 allele is a common susceptibility gene for late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Brain vascular and metabolic deficits can occur in cognitively normal apolipoprotein E ɛ4 carriers decades before the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The goal of this study was to determine whether early intervention using rapamycin could restore neurovascular and neurometabolic functions, and thus impede pathological progression of Alzheimer's disease-like symptoms in pre-symptomatic Apolipoprotein E ɛ4 transgenic mice. Using in vivo, multimodal neuroimaging, we found that apolipoprotein E ɛ4 mice treated with rapamycin had restored cerebral blood flow, blood–brain barrier integrity and glucose metabolism, compared to age- and gender-matched wild-type controls. The preserved vasculature and metabolism were associated with amelioration of incipient learning deficits. We also found that rapamycin restored the levels of the proinflammatory cyclophilin A in vasculature, which may contribute to the preservation of cer...
Re-engineering the hospital: a house without rooms

Re-engineering of health care systems is defined, and the experience with re-engineering at a medical center is discussed. Re-engineering is a business concept that involves totally redesigning work processes to achieve much higher efficiencies and quality; it should not be confused with cost cutting, downsizing, and continuous improvement. Re-engineering seeks to combine multiple jobs into one, empower workers and make them more accountable, sequence the elements of work more naturally, create greater flexibility, and blur or remove organizational boundaries. Re-engineering at The Ohio State University Medical Center began with the formation of an operations improvement team consisting of department heads. Work processes were selected for re-engineering and prioritized, and teams were created to identify activities calling for radical change, such as activities that wasted time, could be done on an outpatient basis, or were duplicative. It was concluded that the redesign had to focus on the entire medical center, not the individual departments. A list of the characteristics of a better organization was prepared and distributed to the staff, along with other documents to help them understand the need for change. The operations improvement team specified expected outcomes of the re-engineering, and each re-engineering team developed measures of these outcomes. Many of the recommendations submitted have been implemented. One innovation has been the consolidation of the duties of utilization-review nurses, continuity-of-care nurses, social workers, and patient-education nurses into a single job category. When the medication-use re-engineering team meets, it will not be re-engineering the pharmacy department, it will be addressing the drug-use process. A medical center is re-engineering itself so that it will be able to continue to meet the health care needs of the community it serves.
Paediatric hearing aid management: a demonstration project for using virtual visits to enhance parent support

AbstractObjective: The purpose of this study was to explore the use of virtual visits to monitor hearing aid use with data logging measurements and provide parent support for hearing aid management. Design: A 6-month longitudinal case study design was used. Study sample: Four families and two providers participated. Results: Average hours of daily hearing aid use increased 3.5 h from the beginning to the end of the study period. Prior to receiving virtual visits, the parents and the clinicians generally indicated they were hopeful about the benefits of virtual visits including the frequency and convenience of the appointments but had some concerns about technical difficulties. These concerns diminished at the conclusion of the study. Conclusion: Virtual visits provided benefits to families including flexibility and timely access to support. The ability to collect data logging information more frequently was important for effective problem-solving to increase hearing aid use. Both parents and clinicians we...
Paleodietetics: A Review of the Role of Dietary Fiber in Preagricultural Human Diets

In a biochemical and physiological sense man is not a particularly “modern” animal. Rather, he shares many adaptive mechanisms which were already established several million years ago during the lower Pleistocene era in early homonids, most of which were predominantly herbivorous (26, 46, 52, 57), as is the case today. The manifold physiochemical functions of dietary fiber in human digestive and excretory processes certainly did not develop de novo in man, but were common to all higher primates and many other monogastric terrestrial vertebrates as well (6, 34). These processes and the basic architecture of the gastrointestinal tract quite probably evolved over several hundred thousand generations in response to the continuous, selective pressures of a broadly based but consistently phytic diet (17, 19, 39). It is now apparent that during the last 20,000 years, the human diet has undergone a series of far reaching “revolutions,” the overall trend of which has been away from a coarse, plant-based regime of foraged leafy greens, seeds, stalks, roots, flowers, and other tissues, to a more limited, often monotypic, diet based primarily on a few cereal grains, tubers, and legumes (Figure 1). The importance of the former diet, that of the hunter-gatherer, in shaping the structure and function of the human gastrointestinal tract can hardly be overestimated.
54 A7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonist Nicotine attenuates neuronal cell death through Akt activation in a mouse model of eclampsia

Introduction Brain injury especially neuronal cell death plays an important role in the pathological process of seizure. Eclampsia is defined as the development of grand mal seizures in patients with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. Objectives In this study we will evaluate neuronal apoptosis and the effects of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonist Nicotine on seizure and cell death following eclampsia; then we will investigate whether α7nAChR stimulation could inhibit caspase activity via PI3K-Akt signaling. Methods C57 pregnant mice was subjected to intraperitoneal injection of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) from gestation day (GD) 16 to GD 18 in the basis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration on GD 14. Eclampsia animals received either vehicle administration, or 1 mg/kg of α7nAChR agonist nicotine, or 1 μg/kg of α7nAChR antagonist α-bungarotoxin (α-BGT) combined with nicotine. Clinical symptoms of eclampsia were evaluated; behavioral assessment of seizure severity was recorded; neuronal cell death was quantified with nissl staining and TUNEL staining. Electron microscopy was used for observing the morphological changes of neuronal apoptosis; immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting were used for the quantification and localization of activated Akt (p-Akt), and cleaved caspase-3 (CC3). Results Nicotine effectively decreased systolic blood pressure and eclampsia-like seizure severity. Electron microscopy showed that typical cell apoptotic morphology was seen in the cortex following eclampsia, nicotine significantly reduced neuronal apoptosis in the cortex. Nicotine significantly decreased CC3 levels and increased p-Akt levels in the cortex. α-Bungarotoxin reversed effects of nicotine treatment. Conclusions α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonist Nicotine improved neurological outcomes and decreased neuronal cell death in a mouse model of eclampsia. Nicotine reduced the expression of cleaved caspase-3 via the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.
Abstract B03: Control of pancreatic cancer metabolism and histone acetylation by the tumor microenvironment

Though the significance of reciprocal interactions between genetically altered tumor cells and adjacent stroma is increasingly appreciated, this complex crosstalk remains poorly understood. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a particularly prominent stromal compartment, shown to exert both tumor-supportive and tumor-suppressive or homeostatic functions in the context of the wound-like tumor microenvironment. To investigate the paracrine effects of PDAC stromal elements on pancreatic cancer cells, we developed a “stromal” culture system, which incorporates structural and diffusible stroma-derived elements into homotypic PDAC cell cultures amenable to functional genomics and metabolomics. These analyses revealed that microenvironmental cues co-regulate cancer metabolism and gene expression. Stromal inputs broadly influenced histone acetylation in the PDAC epigenome, which coincided with induction of genes implicated in anabolic metabolism and inflammation. The gene expression and metabolic changes induced by stromal factors overlap with those previously identified following oncogenic Kras, suggesting functional complementarity between cell-autonomous and microenvironmental pathways characteristic of PDAC. As epigenome modification results in changes in gene expression through the functions of readers, such as the bromodomain-containing BET proteins, we tested JQ1, a small molecule inhibitor of BET family bromodomain-containing proteins, for the capacity to inhibit gene expression changes downstream of stromal factors. Paracrine induction of pro-growth and inflammatory genes was inhibited by JQ1, suggesting that the BET family serves as a key transducer of stromal inputs to drive alterations in gene expression. Inhibition of acetyl-lysine sensing by the BET family reduced pancreatic tumor growth and associated inflammation in vivo, with significant reduction in expression of genes implicated in macromolecule biosynthesis and tumor-permissive immune regulation. This work suggests paracrine epigenome regulation as a conduit through which stromal signals drive metabolic and immune adaptation to a challenging tumor microenvironment. Citation Format: Mara H. Sherman, Ronald M. Evans. Control of pancreatic cancer metabolism and histone acetylation by the tumor microenvironment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Function of Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer Progression; 2016 Jan 7–10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(15 Suppl):Abstract nr B03.
Prospective study of cognitive function (cog fcn) in women with early-stage breast cancer (ESBC): Predictors of cognitive decline.

104 Background: Cog complaints are common among women receiving adjuvant therapy (Rx) for ESBC. Longitudinal prospective data is needed to help identify predictors of cog decline. We conducted a prospective trial to evaluate the effects of chemo- (CTX) and hormone therapy (HRx) on brain and cog fcn in pts with ESBC using multiple objective and subjective tests as well as MRI/PET imaging. Here we report evaluation of clinical characteristics that predict decline in cog fcn. Methods: Eligibility included female patients (pts) planning to receive adjuvant Rx for ESBC. Pts were enrolled in 3 Rx groups (grps): CTX, CTX and HRx, and HRx, with a 4th no Rx age/education matched control grp. All pts underwent a battery of objective and subjective cog tests before start of Rx, 1 mo after CTX or 5 mo after start of HRx (FU1), then 9 mo (FU2) and 18 mo (FU3) after CTX. Brain MRI, PET and serum estradiol (E) were performed at baseline, FU1 and FU2. Results: 81 pts were enrolled as follows, 14 CTX, 33 CTX and HRx, 22 H...
Clinical and Immunologic Profiles in Incomplete Lupus Erythematosus and Improvement with Hydroxychloroquine Treatment

Objective. The study goals were to evaluate performance of SLE classification criteria, to define patients with incomplete lupus erythematosus (ILE), and to probe for features in these patients that might be useful as indicators of disease status and hydroxychloroquine response. Methods. Patients with ILE ( ) and SLE ( ) defined by the 1997 American College of Rheumatology criteria were reclassified using the 2012 Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics criteria. Disease activity, patient reported outcomes, and levels of Type I interferon- (IFN-) inducible genes, autoantibodies, and cytokines were measured. Subgroups treated with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) were compared to patients not on this drug. Results. The classification sets were correlated ( ). ILE patients were older ( ) with lower disease activity scores ( ) and greater dissatisfaction with health status ( ) than SLE patients. ILE was associated with lower levels of macrophage-derived cytokines and levels of expressed Type I IFN-inducible genes. Treatment of ILE with HCQ was associated with better self-reported health status scores and lower expression levels of Type I IFN-inducible genes than ILE patients not on HCQ. Conclusion. The 2012 SLICC SLE classification criteria will be useful to define ILE in trials. Patients with ILE have better health status and immune profiles when treated with HCQ.
Pit chains on Enceladus signal the recent tectonic dissection of the ancient cratered terrains

Abstract Enceladus is the first outer solar system body on which pit chains have been positively identified. We map the global distribution of pit chains and show that pit chains are among the youngest tectonic features on Enceladus's surface, concentrated in the cratered plains centered on Enceladus's Saturnian and anti-Saturnian hemispheres. Pit chains on Enceladus are interpreted as the surface expressions of subsurface dilational fractures underlying a cover of unconsolidated material, which we infer to be a geologically young cover of loose regolith that mantles the surface of Enceladus. A widespread layer of regolith may act to insulate the surface, which has implications for the thermal state of Enceladus's ice shell. The widespread distribution of pit chains across the cratered plains indicates that this ancient surface has recently been tectonically active.
Abstract relative Gabor transforms over canonical homogeneous spaces of semidirect product groups with Abelian normal factor

This paper introduces a unified approach to the abstract notion of relative Gabor transforms over canonical homogeneous spaces of semi-direct product groups with Abelian normal factor. Let H be a locally compact group, K be a locally compact Abelian (LCA) group, and &#x1d703; : H →Aut(K) be a continuous homomorphism. Let G&#x1d703; = H ⋉&#x1d703;K be the semi-direct product of H and K with respect to &#x1d703;, G&#x1d703;/H be the canonical homogeneous space of G&#x1d703;, and μ&#x1d703; be the canonical relatively invariant measure on G&#x1d703;/H. Then we present a unified harmonic analysis approach to the theoretical aspects of the notion of relative Gabor transform over the Hilbert function space L2(G &#x1d703;/H,μ&#x1d703;).
Anthropometric Field Methods: General

Anthropometric field methods refer to the use of selected body measurements in a field situation which can be used to describe the nutritional status of communities. Such techniques are especially valuable in developing countries, particularly in young children, and the present account deals largely with these circumstances.
Alternative MyPlate Menus: Effects of Ultra-Processed Foods on Saturated Fat, Sugar, and Sodium Content

Abstract Objective Compare saturated fat, sugar, and sodium in the US Department of Agriculture sample menu with a version in which menu items were replaced with comparable ultra-processed foods. Design and Setting The authors modified 7 days of a US Department of Agriculture sample menu providing approximately 2,000 kcal/d by replacing foods with comparable ultra-processed alternatives and then visited 2 chain supermarkets in San Luis Obispo, CA (August, 2016) to locate shopping list items for the 2 menu versions. Product-specific bar codes were entered into an application for recording dietary intake and analyzing nutrient content. Variables Measured/Analysis Paired t tests (with Bonferroni correction, α = .003) were performed to compare the menus' percent energy from saturated fat and sugar, and energy and sodium content. Results Mean energy was lower (1,618 vs 1,892 kcal/d; P = .002) whereas percent energy from sugar (24.9% vs 21.4%; P ≤ .001) and sodium content (2,784 vs 2,101 mg/d; P = .001) were higher in the ultra-processed vs original menu. In secondary analyses, mean cost of the ultra-processed version exceeded that of the original menu by $36.87. Conclusions and Implications In a sample menu developed to meet US Dietary Guidelines, substituting items with ultra-processed foods provided fewer calories but more sugar and sodium. Distinguishing ultra-processed from less processed foods may help consumers make healthier choices when using MyPlate tools, particularly in a food environment that presents a wide range of alternatives.