cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nongranulomatous chronic idiopathic enterocolitis: Clinicopathologic profile and response to corticosteroids

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nongranulomatous ulcerative enterocolitis has been reported in association with celiac sprue, lymphoma, and hypogammaglobulinemia. The objective of this study is to present evidence that this disorder exists as a primary entity. METHODS: The medical records and histological material of 9 patients (mean age, 45.7 +/- 5.9 years) who presented with severe chronic diarrhea without specific diagnosis after extensive investigations were reviewed. RESULTS: Endoscopically, the duodenum and proximal jejunum were inflamed in 6 of 7 patients, with superficial ulcerations in 5 patients. On histology, the lamina propria was infiltrated by polymorphonuclear and chronic inflammatory cells, with varying degrees of villous atrophy. There were no significant cellular abnormalities of the epithelial enterocytes. A similar inflammatory infiltrate was present in the colon in 4 or 5 patients. Eight of 9 patients responded to corticosteroids with clinical and variable histological improvement. Four patients developed bleeding from ulcerations in the small or large intestine. Three patients died: 1 patient who did not respond to treatment with corticosteroids and 2 patients with systemic infection. Four of the 6 surviving patients required maintenance low-dose corticosteroid therapy. No underlying disease was discovered during prolonged follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Idiopathic nongranulomatous enterocolitis may present as a primary, frequently fatal disease. Corticosteroid therapy provides immediate benefit and may be required indefinitely. (Gastroenterology 1996 Sep;111(3):629-37)
PD43-04 COMPARING THE 8-YEAR ONCOLOGIC OUTCOMES OF OPEN AND ROBOT-ASSISTED RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY FOR HIGH RISK PROSTATE CANCER

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: We compared oncologic outcomes between retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) and robotassisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in patient with high-risk PCa, and investigated predictive factors for favorable disease to aid patient selection in high-risk prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: Comparative analysis of high-risk patients who underwent radical prostatectomy was conducted. High-risk PCa was defined as cT3a, Gleason score (GS) 8-10, or PSA >20 ng/ml. Favorable disease was defined as pT2, pGS 7, and pN0. After controlling preoperative variables such as age, prostate volume, preoperative PSA, clinical stage, biopsy GS, percentage of positive cores on biopsy, and surgeon experience, the 5-year survival outcomes according to the surgical approach were evaluated. We pursued to find the predictor of favorable disease after radical prostatectomy in high-risk disease. RESULTS: Among the total of 356 high-risk patients, 106 (29.8%) underwent RRP and 250 (70.2%) underwent RARP. The unadjusted 5-year biochemical recurrence-free survival (BCRFS) rates were better in RARP compared to RRP (RRP vs. RARP; 54.9% vs. 66.4%, p1⁄40.015). After adjustment, 5-year BCRFS rates were slightly better in RARP than those in RRP (51.6% vs. 59.3%, p1⁄40.066). Favorable disease was observed in 26.7% of high-risk patients. They showed better 5-year BCRFS rates than other patients (87.8% vs. 51.7%, p<0.001). Preoperative PSA, clinical stage, and percentage of GS 8-10 core were predictors of favorable disease. CONCLUSIONS: Oncologic outcomes of RARP were equivalent to RRP in high-risk PCa. We constructed scoring system for predicting favorable disease with predictors including PSA, clinical stage, and percentage of GS 8-10 core. Using this scoring system, we can predict favorable disease with 78.1% of predictive accuracy.
Relationship of queen number and queen relatedness in multiple-queen colonies of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta

1. The relationship between the number of queens per nest and their relatedness was examined in the polygyne (multiple queens per nest) social form of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta. 2. No significant relationship between these two variables was found. Moreover, the overall average relatedness among nestmate queens was not significantly different from zero. 3. These findings indicate that polygyne nests of S. invicta do not represent closed societies. Furthermore, they are consistent with continual acceptance of non-nestmate queens throughout a colony’s lifetime. This strategy differs from the expectation of kin selection theory that only related queens should be accepted as new reproductives within polygyne colonies. 4. The postulated acceptance of non-nestmate queens is associated with a decrease in the number of parasites, predators and diseases and a concomitant increase in the density of nests in introduced populations, suggesting that the permissive environment experienced by introduced fire ants may have decreased the relative importance of kinship as a stabilizing factor in the evolution of polygyny.
Testing of metal gate PMOS digital integrated circuits

Many universities use the metal gate PMOS process for educational laboratory projects in the fabrication of integrated circuits. A semiconductor parameter analyzer is often used for testing the transistors, resistors and inverters on their test chips. The semiconductor parameter analyzer cannot be used for testing a digital circuit with a large number of inputs and outputs. A low cost digital circuit tester has been created using a personal computer and additional boards for output and input. Lab View software was used to create a graphical interface with the test system. The test system has been used to functionally test multiplexers, demultiplexers, full-adders and other digital integrated circuits. The test system generates a plot of input and output voltages versus time very similar to a digital circuit simulator output.
The use of learning style innovations to improve retention

Polytechnic University is an urban Science and Engineering school with substantial enrolments of non-majority students. Recent efforts at the Polytechnic have focused on increasing enrolment of minority women enrolled in two year college physical science and pre-engineering programs to transfer into four-year engineering B.S. Programs. A new core curriculum required for all entering freshmen in engineering disciplines, and encouraged for minority transfer students, emphasizes hands-on laboratory based learning, engineering and mathematics upfront on a need to know basis, cooperative learning, and the development of oral and written communication skills. Preliminary evaluation of the core for 144 entering students in fall, 1993, demonstrated that while most students prefer the new approach, women and/or black and Hispanic students are significantly more enthusiastic about cooperative learning, hands-on learning, and peer tutoring; and less enthusiastic about traditional lecture-based teaching and learning. These students also show differences in learning style preferences as assessed by the Myers-Briggs Inventory. This paper presents longitudinal follow-up data for the above sample of 144 students entering Polytechnic in fall, 1993, and an additional 196 students entering in fall, 1994. Data includes course performance and grades in the new core and in more "traditional" engineering and science courses, course evaluations and learning style preferences as assessed by the Myers-Briggs.
NEESit MacBook Accelerometer and Video Sensor Platform (iSeismograph) for education and research

Current Macintosh laptop computers are equipped with a 3-axis accelerometer that detects sudden shock and impact and enables the hard drive to ldquofreezerdquo and save its contents. In addition, the newer Intel-based MacBook and MacBookPro laptops have built-in iSight video cameras for use in video conferencing communications. The Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) Cyberinfrastructure Center (NEESit) has exploited these capabilities and has developed an educational and research platform for measurement and recording of vibrations and dynamic response. The system employs the NEESit real-time data Viewer (RDV) that enables the real-time streaming of acceleration data synchronized with video, and automatically saves data into a database repository (NEEScentral). Through NEEScentral, earthquake engineering students and research collaborators worldwide can access the recorded data online and engage in joint projects, potentially at a worldwide scale. The following paper provides an overview of the information technology framework for the NEESit MacBook accelerometer and video sensor platform (iSeismograph) and its capabilities, and provides an example of its potential for collaboration through a classroom application for undergraduate education in earthquake engineering.
Enterprise Risk Management Strategies for State Departments of Transportation

AbstractThe leaders of DOTs and other public agencies that build and operate capital facilities manage a multitude of human, technological, political, technical, and natural resources in an environment that is fraught with uncertainty. To ensure success, these agencies must be able to manage risks at multiple levels. Although there is a great deal of literature and research relating to project risk management for public projects, there has yet to be a study that evaluates enterprise risk management (ERM) for DOTs. The objectives of this study are to describe the state-of-practice with respect to risk management in state DOTs and to identify executive strategies that may be useful to DOT leadership for enterprise-wide risk management. This paper presents the results of a comprehensive survey with responses from 43 of the 52 United States DOTs that identify and describe the currently implemented ERM strategies. The findings from the literature and survey were validated through interviews with top DOT manage...
Fabrication of monolithic diffractive optical elements by the use of e-beam direct write on an analog resist and a single chemically assisted ion-beam-etching step

We present a method to fabricate high-quality and environmentally rugged monolithic diffractive optical elements (DOE's). Analog direct-write e-beam lithography was used to produce analog resist profiles that were transferred into their substrates by the use of chemically assisted ion-beam etching (CAIBE) in one single etching step. An iterative method was used to compensate for the proximity effect caused by electron scattering in the resist and from the substrate during the e-beam exposure. Slope-dependent differential etch rates that occur during the transfer process were characterized and compensated for. Finally, the DOE was divided into regions with different period ranges, and the exposure dosages were set to achieve even and accurate etch depths in the final element. The presented fabrication method will increase manufacturability and reduce processing time, which will result in a general cost reduction per element.
The Effect of Parent Participation in Strategies to Improve the Homework Performance of Students Who Are At Risk

The effect of teaching parents of at-risk students to facilitate a home-based self-management program to improve homework performance and academic achievement was Investigated. The parents of 26 sixth- and seventh-grade students from two middle school programs for at-risk youth received training and implemented home-based self-management and reinforcement strategies. Results indicated that overall levels of homework completion and homework quality increased significantly for those students whose parents consistently implemented the 10-week homework program. Significant increases in mathematics achievement also occurred. These results suggest that the practice of homework may be an important element of academic programming for students at risk and students with disabilities and that parents may play a primary role in the homework process.
Operationalizing Public Health Skills to Resource Poor Settings: Is This the Achilles Heel in the Ebola Epidemic Campaign?

Sustainable approaches to crises, especially non-trauma-related public health emergencies, are severely lacking. At present, the Ebola crisis is defining the operational public health skill sets for infectious disease epidemics that are not widely known or appreciated. Indigenous and foreign medical teams will need to adapt to build competency-based curriculum and standards of care for the future that concentrate on public health emergencies. Only by adjusting and adapting specific operational public health skill sets to resource poor environments will it be possible to provide sustainable prevention and preparedness initiatives that work well across cultures and borders.
A dynamic replica selection algorithm for tolerating timing faults

Server replication is commonly used to improve the fault tolerance and response time of distributed services. An important problem when executing time-critical applications in a replicated environment is that of preventing timing failures by dynamically selecting the replicas that can satisfy a client's timing requirement, even when the quality of service is degraded due to replica failures and excess load on the server. We describe the approach we have used to solve this problem in AQuA, a CORBA-based middleware that transparently replicates objects across a local area network. The approach we use estimates a replica's response time distribution based on performance measurements regularly broadcast by the replica. An online model uses these measurements to predict the probability with which a replica can prevent a timing failure for a client. A selection algorithm then uses this prediction to choose a subset of replicas that can together meet the client's timing constraints with at least the probability requested by the client. We conclude with experimental results based on our implementation.
Carbon-black thixotropic thermal pastes for improving thermal contacts

This paper addresses thermal interface materials for thermal conduction of excess heat for microelectronic applications. Carbon black (30 nm) thixotropic paste based on polyol ethers is comparable to carbon black fluidic paste based on polyethylene glycol (PEG) in its effectiveness as a thermal paste, and in its dependence on pressure history. Prior pressure (up to 0.69 MPa) application is helpful. The optimum carbon black content is 2.4 vol.% for the thixotropic paste. The thermal contact conductance across copper surfaces is 30 × 104 and 11 × 104 W/m2-°C for surface roughness of 0.05 µm and 15 µm, respectively. The volume electrical resistivity is 3 × 103 Ω-cm. Boron nitride (BN) (5–11 µm) and graphite (5 µm) thixotropic pastes are less effective than carbon black thixotropic paste by up to 70% and 25%, respectively, in thermal contact conductance, due to low conformability.
Effects of glucose infusion on dog myocardial metabolism.

Infusion of glucose to the whole animal results in increased myocardial content of phosphocreatine, glycogen and potassium. Metabolic alterations induced by coronary ligation were not modified by glucose infusion.
Image sequence filtering in quantum-limited noise with applications to low-dose fluoroscopy

Clinical angiography requires hundreds of X-ray images, putting the patients and particularly the medical staff at risk. Dosage reduction involves an inevitable sacrifice in image quality. In this work, the latter problem is addressed by first modeling the signal-dependent, Poisson-distributed noise that arises as a result of this dosage reduction. The commonly utilized noise model for single images is shown to be obtainable from the new model. Stochastic temporal filtering techniques are proposed to enhance clinical fluoroscopy sequences corrupted by quantum mottle. The temporal versions of these filters as developed here are more suitable for filtering image sequences, as correlations along the time axis can be utilized. For these dynamic sequences, the problem of displacement field estimation is treated in conjunction with the filtering stage to ensure that the temporal correlations are taken along the direction of motion to prevent object blur. >
High altitude Himalayan climate inferred from glacial ice flux

[1] Glaciological processes are modeled to investigate precipitation patterns and the resulting mass flux of snow and ice across Himalayan topography. Our model tracks the accumulation and ablation of snow and ice and the transport of snow and ice across the topography by glacier motion. We investigate high elevation precipitation on the Annapurna Massif by comparing the existing ice cover with model-simulated glaciers produced by a suite of different precipitation scenarios. Our results suggest that precipitation reaches a maximum level well below the elevation of the highest peaks. Further, essentially no snow accumulates on the topography above an elevation of 6200–6300 m. Hence, the upper 1000+ m of the massif is a high elevation desert with little flux of snow and ice. Active glaciers are limited to a band of intermediate elevations where a maximum of about 60% of the landscape is covered by moving ice. INDEX TERMS: 1863 Hydrology: Snow and ice (1827); 3354 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: Precipitation (1854); 1854 Hydrology: Precipitation (3354); 1625 Global Change: Geomorphology and weathering (1824, 1886). Citation: Harper, J. T., and N. F. Humphrey, High altitude Himalayan climate inferred from glacial ice flux, Geophys. Res. Lett., 30(14), 1764, doi:10.1029/2003GL017329, 2003.
A nucleation algorithm for the coupled conserved–nonconserved phase field model

Abstract This paper presents a refinement to the existing nucleation algorithm for a coupled conserved–nonconserved phase field model. In the new method, which offers greater ease of implementation as compared to the existing approach, only the nonconserved order parameter is modified to seed supercritical nuclei (thus termed order-parameter-only seeding). The order-parameter-only seeding method naturally satisfies the conservation law for the conserved order parameter. In addition, the implementation within a finite element framework is described. The evolution of a single nucleus is examined to ensure that the precipitate growth kinetics are not affected by the seeding method. We find that, after a brief initial transient period, order-parameter-only nucleation yields similar precipitate growth characteristics to that of the existing model. The kinetics of a phase transformation exhibiting concurrent nucleation and growth is analyzed in the form of the Avrami equation, and a statistical analysis is performed to determine if mesh and/or time adaptivity affects the simulation results. The statistical analysis indicates that the nucleation algorithm is amenable to adaptive meshing and adaptive time stepping.
An Optimistic Forecast

This book celebrates 50 years of personality psychology as a formal discipline, the birth of which was announced by the near-simultaneous publication in 1937 of Gordon Allport’s and Ross Stagner’s textbooks. Allport and Stagner thought they were witnessing (if not engendering) the beginning of a new scientific enterprise. Fifty years later, it might be useful to ask how well we are doing.
Internet effects on retail markets

Researchers from multiple disciplines, including economics, marketing, information systems, operations research, and computer science, have contributed to the academic literature on how the Internet has affected retail markets. In this chapter we build bridges across these various disciplines to provide a common understanding of how the Internet has affected retail markets and to identify important areas for future research.
International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer/American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society classification predicts occult lymph node metastasis in clinically mediastinal node-negative lung adenocarcinoma.

Objectives We investigated the role of the 2011 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, American Thoracic Society, and European Respiratory Society (IASLC/ATS/ERS) classification in predicting occult lymph node metastasis in clinically mediastinal node-negative lung adenocarcinoma. Methods We reviewed lung adenocarcinoma patients who had clinically N2-negative status, were evaluated by preoperative positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT) and had undergone lobectomy or pneumonectomy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (n = 297). Tumours were classified according to the 2011 IASLC/ATS/ERS classification. The associations between occult lymph node metastasis and clinicopathological variables were analysed using Fisher's exact test and logistic regression analysis. Results Thirty-two (11%) cN0-1 patients had occult mediastinal lymph node metastasis (pN2) whereas 25% of cN1 patients had pN2 disease. Increased micropapillary pattern was associated with increased risk of pN2 disease (P = 0.001). On univariate analysis, high maximum standard uptake value of the primary tumour on PET/CT (P = 0.019) and the presence of micropapillary (P = 0.014) and solid pattern (P = 0.014) were associated with occult pN2 disease. On multivariable analysis, micropapillary pattern was positively associated with risk of pN2 disease (odds ratio = 3.41; 95% confidence intervals = 1.42-8.19; P = 0.006). Conclusions The presence of micropapillary pattern is an independent predictor of occult mediastinal lymph node metastasis. Our observations have potential therapeutic implications for management of early-stage lung adenocarcinoma.
CYP96T1 of Narcissus sp. aff. pseudonarcissus Catalyzes Formation of the Para-Para' C-C Phenol Couple in the Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids

The Amaryllidaceae alkaloids are a family of amino acid derived alkaloids with many biological activities; examples include haemanthamine, haemanthidine, galanthamine, lycorine, and maritidine. Central to the biosynthesis of the majority of these alkaloids is a C-C phenol-coupling reaction that can have para-para’, para-ortho’, or ortho-para’ regiospecificity. Through comparative transcriptomics of Narcissus sp. aff. pseudonarcissus, Galanthus sp., and Galanthus elwesii we have identified a para-para’ C-C phenol coupling cytochrome P450, CYP96T1, capable of forming the products (10bR,4aS)-noroxomaritidine and (10bS,4aR)-noroxomaritidine from 4’-O-methylnorbelladine. CYP96T1 was also shown to catalyzed formation of the para-ortho’ phenol coupled product, N-demethylnarwedine, as less than 1 % of the total product. CYP96T1 co-expresses with the previously characterized norbelladine 4’-O-methyltransferase. The discovery of CYP96T1 is of special interest because it catalyzes the first major branch in Amaryllidaceae alkaloid biosynthesis. CYP96T1 is also the first phenol-coupling enzyme characterized from a monocot.
RCC1-dependent activation of Ran accelerates cell cycle and DNA repair, inhibiting DNA damage–induced cell senescence

The coordination of cell cycle progression with the repair of DNA damage supports the genomic integrity of dividing cells. The function of many factors involved in DNA damage response (DDR) and the cell cycle depends on their Ran GTPase-regulated nuclear-cytoplasmic transport (NCT). The loading of Ran with GTP, which is mediated by RCC1, the guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Ran, is critical for NCT activity. However, the role of RCC1 or Ran⋅GTP in promoting cell proliferation or DDR is not clear. We show that RCC1 overexpression in normal cells increased cellular Ran⋅GTP levels and accelerated the cell cycle and DNA damage repair. As a result, normal cells overexpressing RCC1 evaded DNA damage-induced cell cycle arrest and senescence, mimicking colorectal carcinoma cells with high endogenous RCC1 levels. The RCC1-induced inhibition of senescence required Ran and exportin 1 and involved the activation of importin β-dependent nuclear import of 53BP1, a large NCT cargo. Our results indicate that changes in the activity of the Ran⋅GTP-regulated NCT modulate the rate of the cell cycle and the efficiency of DNA repair. Through the essential role of RCC1 in regulation of cellular Ran⋅GTP levels and NCT, RCC1 expression enables the proliferation of cells that sustain DNA damage.
Sol-Gel Networks: Fundamental Investigations of the Chemistry of Sol-Gel Silicate Glasses and Poly(Siloxane) Toughened Silicates

The low-temperature sol-gel process opens a number of new materials possibilities for generation of glasses with predetermined properties by the incorporation of organic modifiers into the network. Polysiloxanes are potentially interesting organic modifiers for toughening and possibly surface-modifying the silicate networks. Some fundamental studies of the hydrolysis and condensation processes in a tetramethylorthosilicate (TMOS) system, in the absence of added catalyst, have been conducted using 1H and 29Si NMR. The effects of some of the reaction parameters and processing conditions for the subsequent conversion of the gel to monolithic dried gels by heat treatment have been investigated by techniques such as thermal analysis and mass spectroscopy. Procedures which employ mild pressures have been established that permit the generation of monolithic products which show greatly reduced cracking tendencies. Finally, methoxy functionalized poly(dimethylsiloxane) oligomers that can react into the sol-gel network have been prepared. The intermediates are commercially accessible and the process is scaleable. Utilization of a catalyst-free system eliminates the tendency of the siloxane modifier to undergo undesired rearrangements that are known to occur in the presence of strong acids or bases.
On the molecular structures ofcyclo-heptasulfur andcyclo-decasulfur

The observed conformations ofcyclo-S7 andcyclo-S10 may be successfully predicted by assuming idealized molecular symmetries ofm (C s ) and 222 (D 2), respectively, with bond angles all equal to the natural value of 106.4 °. These assumptions lead to widely different torsion angles, all of which are close to the observed values.
Diagnosis and management of trigemino-cavernous fistulas: case reports and review of the literature

Although usually asymptomatic, a persistent trigeminal artery (PTA) can rarely be associated with a direct fistula to the cavernous sinus (ie, trigemino-cavernous fistula). We present three patients with trigemino-cavernous fistulas; two were subsequently treated using modern endovascular techniques while the third initially declined therapy. We then review the literature of reported cases of this unusual entity. The aberrant anatomy associated with a PTA presents unique challenges to the management of these lesions, and must be well delineated prior to treatment. Finally, conservative management of trigemino-cavernous fistulas, either de novo or recurrent, may be considered if they demonstrate no evidence of cortical venous reflux and patient symptoms are tolerable.
Do physicians have an obligation to treat patients with AIDS

Are physicians obligated to treat patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)? This is clearly an important question for practicing physicians, but its scope extends beyond AIDS and...
Removing the Lead from Upstate New York

This paper reviews the data from the CDC on lead blood levels in children in New York State, with an emphasis on upstate New York.
A technique of signal processing based on the blind source separation

Unknown independent sources from a given set of observed mixtures are recovered using a blind source separation technique. Time and frequency analysis on the separated signals is then conducted using Matlab toolboxes for time and frequency domain processing to extract diagnostic information, through which the expected signal is recognized, and characteristics of interference signals extracted.
Graph-based semi-supervised learning for phone and segment classification.

This paper presents several novel contributions to the emerging framework of graph-based semi-supervised learning for speech processing. First, we apply graphbased learning to variable-length segments rather than to the fixed-length vector representations that have been used previously. As part of this work we compare various graph-based learners, and we utilize an efficient feature selection technique for high-dimensional feature spaces that alleviates computational costs and improves the performance of graph-based learners. Finally, we present a method to improve regularization during the learning process. Experimental evaluation on the TIMIT frame and segment classification tasks demonstrates that the graphbased classifiers outperform standard baseline classifiers; furthermore, we find that the best learning algorithms are those that can incorporate prior knowledge.
Abstract B79: CXCR4 inhibition facilitates anti-PD-1 immunotherapy by reprogramming the tumor microenvironment during sorafenib treatment in hepatocellular carcinoma

Although the tyrosine kinase inhibitor sorafenib is the standard of care for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), treatment response is often transient. Using orthotopic HCC models, we showed that resistance to sorafenib is linked to hypoxia and an associated increase in SDF1alpha and CXCR4 expression levels in tumors, which resulted in tumor desmoplasia and an increase in the infiltration of Gr1+ myeloid-derived suppressive cells, regulatory T cells and M2-type macrophages. Treatment with the CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100 in combination with sorafenib prevented these effects. Addition of the immune checkpoint blocking antibody anti-PD1 further synergized with sorafenib and AMD3100 in delaying tumor growth and reducing metastasis. Anti-PD1 treatment significantly increased intratumoral infiltration of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and their activity. Modulation and activation of immune responses by combining AMD3100 and anti-PD1 may be a novel approach to prevent tumor evasion from sorafenib treatment in HCC. Citation Format: Yunching Chen, Thomas Reiberger, Rakesh Ramjiawan, Mei Rosa Ng, Tai Hato, Elizabeth C. Unan, Tejaswini P. Reddy, Hiroki Ochiai, Peigen Huang, Andrew X. Zhu, Rakesh K. Jain, Dan G. Duda. CXCR4 inhibition facilitates anti-PD-1 immunotherapy by reprogramming the tumor microenvironment during sorafenib treatment in hepatocellular carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy: A New Chapter; December 1-4, 2014; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2015;3(10 Suppl):Abstract nr B79.
Minister as midwife.

Explores the notion of midwives and hospital chaplains being parallel professions, drawing on scripture, history, and personal experience to support the idea.
The impact of Bakri balloon tamponade on the rate of postpartum hysterectomy for uterine atony.

AbstractObjective: Our objective was to evaluate the impact of uterine tamponade with a Bakri balloon on the rate of postpartum hysterectomy due to uterine atony.Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all deliveries >20 weeks gestation from January 2002 to March 2013 at Baystate Medical Center. Charts were reviewed to determine incidence of postpartum hysterectomy, Bakri balloon placement, uterine artery embolization (UAE) and the B-Lynch procedure. Patients with evidence of placenta accreta were excluded. The primary outcome was the change in rates of postpartum hysterectomy for uterine atony before and after the introduction of Bakri balloon tamponade, using chi-square testing.Results: There were 48 767 deliveries during the study period, with 17 950 before and 30 817 after the introduction of the Bakri balloon. A total of 43 Bakri balloons were placed during the study period and 21 hysterectomies were performed for postpartum hemorrhage secondary to uterine atony, 14 before and 7 after t...
Abstract 25: SCAP links glucose to lipids for tumor growth

Increased glucose consumption and elevated lipogenesis are co-occurred in malignancies. But the molecular mechanism of the link between glucose and lipid metabolism remains elusive. Our previous studies have uncovered that sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP-1), an endoplasmic reticulum-bound transcription factor with a central role in lipid metabolism, is highly upregulated in glioblastoma (GBM), the most deadly brain tumor. In the current study, we found that SREBP-cleavage activating protein (SCAP), a key player regulating SREBP trafficking from ER to the Golgi and subsequent SREBP activation, links oncogenic signaling and glucose consumption to lipid metabolism. Our data showed that glucose is a critical activator for SREBP function via N-glycosylation of SCAP. N-glycosylation is a key signal to promote SCAP/SREBP complex move from ER to the Golgi and SREBP activation. Moreover, we found that EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling activates SREBP-1 via upregulation of SCAP N-glycosylation and its protein levels through enhancing glucose uptake. Genetically silencing SCAP or mutation of the N-glycosylation sites on SCAP downregulates SREBP-1 activity and impairs GBM tumor growth. Taken together, our study revealed that glucose is a critical activator for SREBP-1 function and lipid metabolism, and SCAP integrates oncogenic signaling and fuel availability to SREBP-1-mediated lipogenesis for tumor growth. Our study also demonstrated that targeting SCAP N-glycosylation represents a promising therapeutic strategy to treat malignancies. Citation Format: Chunming Cheng, Feng Geng, Jeffrey Yunhua Guo, Xiaoning Wu, Xiang Cheng, Arnab Chakravarti, Deliang Guo. SCAP links glucose to lipids for tumor growth. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 25.
Argumentation and credibility appeals in persuasion

This study tests the cognitive response model while investigating three means of persuasion—argumentation, expertise, and attractiveness—on an involving topic. Arguments perceived as strong by receivers generate more favorable cognitive responses (more supportive and less refutative thoughts) than weak message arguments, and they generate more attitude change. While perceived source expertise and attractiveness influenced cognitive responses, they did not do so in a coherent fashion nor did they mediate attitude change.
A cognitive model of musical sight-reading

The author, a professional flutist and psychologist, interviewed four pianists noted for their sight-reading abilities. The results of the interviews are considered from several points of view. Sight-reading is analyzed as a problem in pattern recognition: a movement from a sonata by Handel is used to illustrate the principle of scanning for familiar patterns. The close relationship between musical sight-reading and the reading of conventional texts is also suggested. Finally, drawing on the findings of other studies, a congnitive model of musical sight-reading is proposed. The schematic model of interlocking information-processing systems explains the differences between skilled and unskilled sight-readers: it also explains why some experienced, professional musicians are poor sight-readers. Verification of the model is provided in an additional section in which conversations with unskilled sight-readers are reported.
Comparison of Students' Achievement: Deaf, Learning Disabled, and Deaf With a Learning Disability

Abstract Approximately half of students who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) have a co-occurring disability. Although assessing as well as diagnosing learning disabilities (LDs) is particularly difficult in this population, it is important to properly identify students who may be eligible for academic interventions or accommodations. This study analyzed national samples of students who are (a) classified with an LD, (b) DHH, and (c) DHH and classified with an LD. The three samples were compared in terms of their performance on a standardized measure of academic achievement. The results of our exploratory analyses suggest that math calculation skills and classroom grades are useful in classifying students who are DHH with an LD. We discuss the implications of these findings, limitations to the dataset, and areas for further research.
Organ Donation in the United States: The Tale of the African-American Journey of Moving From the Bottom to the Top.

Abstract Objective The purpose was to review the increase of minority organ donation. Methods The methodology was based on the efforts of the DC Organ Donor Program and the Dow Take Initiative Program that focused on increasing donors among African Americans (AAs). From 1982 to 1988, AA donor card signings increased from 20/month to 750/month, and Black donations doubled. A review of the data, including face-to-face grassroots presentations combined with national media, was conducted. Gallup polls in 1985 and 1990 indicated a tripling of black awareness of transplantation and the number of blacks signing donor cards. Based on the applied successful methodologies, in 1991, the National Minority Organ Tissues Transplant Education Program was established targeting AA, Hispanic, Asian, and other ethnic groups. A review of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database from 1990 to 2010 was accomplished. Results Nationally, ethnic minority organ donors per million (ODM) increased from 8–10 ODM (1982) to 35 ODM (AA and Latino/Hispanics) in 2002. In 1995, ODMs were white 34.2, black 33.1, Hispanic 31.5, and Asian 17.9. In 2010, Black organ donors per million totaled 35.36 versus white 27.07, Hispanic 25.59, and Asian 14.70. Conclusions Based on the data retrieved from UNOS in 2010, blacks were ranked above whites and other ethnic minority populations as the number one ethnic group of organ donors per million in the US.
Dynamic responses of orthotropic plates under moving masses

The problem considered is that of heavy masses moving on lightweight rectangular plates of orthotropic materials, slated for use in space structures. The dynamic equation of motion for orthotropic plates which contains singularities in both space and time variables is first presented. The response is expressed as a summation of double series of eigenfunctions. The equation of motion is transformed into an integro-differential equation for modal amplitudes using the Green's function. The Green's function is chosen to satisfy the initial conditions, the boundary conditions, and the transient conditions due to the moving masses. The solution series exhibits a good convergence. The effect of orthotropicity on natural frequencies and dynamic responses is demonstrated.
Abstract 106: A Simple Screening Tool to Identify Stroke or TIA Patients With Moderate or Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea: The CHA2TS2 Score

Introduction: The frequency of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among stroke and TIA patients varies from 14% to 72% depending on apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) cut-off points and the study population. Va...
Development of University Geriatrics Programs

The provision of lucrative, procedure-based specialty care has influenced the care delivery model and business plan for medical care in the United States for many decades. Conversely there has been less emphasis on Geriatrics and Primary Care. Graduate Medical Education likewise has provided little support for the development of geriatrics training. Universities as well as the commercial sector have to respond to the financial realities accompanying a change to value-based purchasing in healthcare. Universities are reluctant to change old business models, however there is great opportunity to collaborate with colleagues in hospital medicine and administration in applying geriatric principles to advance the delivery of medical care as well as medical education. Graduate medical education will be held accountable for outcomes demand by the public. A revitalized team-based primary care could help reverse the trend towards specialization among medical graduates and increase the appeal of primary care practice to generations of physicians, adding to enhanced access and quality of care for patients.
Mobility Transition at Grain Boundaries in Two-Step Sintered 8 mol% Yttria Stabilized Zirconia

Stagnation of grain growth is often attributed to impurity segregation. Yttria-stabilized cubic zirconia does not evidence any segregation-induced slowdown, as its grain growth obeys the parabolic law when the grain size increases by more than one order of magnitude. However, lowering the temperature below 1300 oC triggers an abrupt slowdown, constraining the average grains to grow by less than 0.5 ${\mu}$m in 1000 h despite a relatively large driving force imparted in the fine grains of ~0.5 ${\mu}$m. Yet isolated pockets of abnormally large grains, along with pockets of abnormally small grains, emerge in the same latter sample. Such microstructure bifurcation has never been observed before, and can only be explained by an inhomogeneous distribution of immobile four-grain junctions. The implications of these findings for two-step sintering are discussed.
Imaging of the Tricuspid Valve: Transoesophageal Echocardiography

The presence of functional TR, either isolated or in combination with left heart disease is associated with unfavorable natural history. In addition, mortality for isolated tricuspid valve interventions remain higher than for any other single valve surgery. Finally, as more left sided valve disease is treated with transcatheter therapies the need for transcatheter solutions to functional tricuspid regurgitation. Transesophageal echocardiographic (TOE) imaging of the tricuspid valve has become an important intra-procedural tool for assessing the morphology of the valve apparatus and severity of disease, guiding transcatheter solutions and assessing the results of interventions. The following chapter reviews the tricuspid valve anatomy and essential TOE views to define this anatomy and valvular function.
Culturally Inclusive Dance: Working with Chinese English Language Learners in the Dance Technique Classroom.

Higher education is experiencing rapidly shifting demographics brought about by the expanding global economy. The influx of English Language Learners (ELLs) into U.S. dance classrooms is creating a...
A Randomized Clinical Trial Showing Persisting Reductions in Depressive Symptoms in HIV-Infected Rural Adults Following Brief Telephone-Administered Interpersonal Psychotherapy

Background Rural areas account for 5% to 7% of all HIV infections in the USA, and rural people living with HIV (PLHIV) are 1.3 times more likely to receive a depression diagnosis than their urban counterparts. A previous analysis from our randomized clinical trial found that nine weekly sessions of telephone-administered interpersonal psychotherapy (tele-IPT) reduced depressive symptoms and interpersonal problems in rural PLHIV from preintervention through postintervention significantly more than standard care but did not increase perceived social support compared to standard care. Purpose To assess tele-IPT's enduring effects at 4- and 8-month follow-up in this cohort. Methods Tele-IPT's long-term depression treatment efficacy was assessed through Beck Depression Inventory self-administrations at 4 and 8 months. Using intention-to-treat and completer-only approaches, mixed models repeated measures, and Cohen's d assessed maintenance of acute treatment gains. Results Intention-to-treat analyses found fewer depressive symptoms in tele-IPT patients than standard care controls at 4 (d = .41; p < .06) and 8-month follow-up (d =.47; p < .05). Completer-only analyses found similar patterns, with larger effect sizes. Tele-IPT patients used crisis hotlines less frequently than standard care controls at postintervention and 4-month follow-up (ps < .05). Conclusions Tele-IPT provides longer term depression relief in depressed rural PLHIV. This is also the first controlled trial to find that IPT administered over the telephone provides long-term depressive symptom relief to any clinical population. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02299453.
Antenatal Spontaneous Renal Forniceal Rupture Presenting as an Acute Abdomen.

Background. Renal forniceal rupture is a lesser-known cause of acute abdomen in pregnancy. The ureteral compression by the gravid uterus places pregnant women at a higher risk. Sequelae in pregnancy could include intractable pain, acute kidney injury, and preterm birth. Case. A 22-year-old primigravida with no prior medical history presented with an acute abdomen in her second trimester. The diagnosis of renal forniceal rupture was made by a radiologist using MRI. A percutaneous nephrostomy catheter was placed, and the patient’s pain was relieved. She subsequently delivered at term. Conclusion. Upon presentation of an acute abdomen in pregnancy, providers may not include renal forniceal rupture in their differential as readily as obstetric or gynecologic causes, resulting in delayed diagnosis, unnecessary invasive interventions, and potentially adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Increasing provider awareness could result in improved outcomes.
A random-surfer web-graph model

In this paper we provide theoretical and experimental results on a random-surfer model for construction of a random graph. In this model, a new node connects to the existing graph by choosing a start node uniformly at random and then performing a short random walk. We show that in certain formulations, this results in the same distribution as the preferential-attachment random-graph model, and in others we give a direct analysis of power-law distribution of degrees or "virtual degrees" of the resulting graphs. We also present experimental results for a number of settings of parameters that we are not able to analyze mathematically.
Accuracy of international classification of diseases, ninth revision, codes for postpartum hemorrhage among women undergoing cesarean delivery.

Background Determining the accuracy of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9) codes for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is vital for reaching valid conclusions about the epidemiology of PPH. Our primary objectives were to assess the performance characteristics of ICD-9 PPH codes against a reference standard using estimated blood loss (EBL) among a cohort undergoing Cesarean delivery. Study design and methods We analyzed maternal discharge and EBL data from women who underwent Cesarean delivery at Kaiser Permanente Northern California facilities between 2010 and 2013. We defined PPH as an EBL of at least 1000 mL. In a secondary analysis, ICD-9 performance characteristics were assessed using an EBL of at least 1500 mL to classify severe PPH. Results We identified 35,614 hospitalizations for Cesarean delivery. Using EBL of at least 1000 mL as the "gold standard," PPH codes had a sensitivity of 27.8%, specificity of 97%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 74.5%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 80.9%. The prevalence of a PPH code (9%) was lower than the prevalence using a blood loss of at least 1000 mL (24%). Using a reference standard of EBL of at least 1500 mL, PPH codes had a sensitivity of 61.7%, specificity of 93.8%, PPV of 34.2%, and NPV of 97.9%. Conclusion PPH ICD-9 codes have high specificity, moderately high PPVs and NPVs, and low sensitivity. An EBL of at least 1500 mL as a reference standard has higher sensitivity. Our findings suggest that, for women undergoing Cesarean delivery, quality improvement efforts are needed to enhance PPH ICD-9 coding accuracy in administrative data sets.