cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incidence of infectious disease in the preschool children in Zhongshan during 2008-2011

Objective To study the incidence of infectious disease in preschool children in Zhongshan and to provide the basic information for formulating of scientific and effective measures for the prevention and control..Method Descriptive epidemiological method was used in this study..Results There were 21 types of childhood infectious disease in the preschool children in Zhongshan during 2008-2011..Among the 13 750 cases of infection, the average incidence rate was 36.98‰ and no death case was found. The top four high incidence diseases were in the order of HFMD, varicella, mumps and other infectious diarrhea..The incidence of infection in the male preschool children was higher than the female children(P 0.01)..The incidence rate of infection was Xiaolan Town Sanxiang Town Guzhen Town Dongfeng Town. Conclusions HFMD,varicella,mumps and other infectious diarrhea are the major infectious diseases in the preschool children during 2008-2011 in Zhongshan.Prevention and control of infection in the preschool children is the primary objective in the future.
New options for treatment of Parkinson's disease

New medications recently developed for treating Parkinson's disease include two inhibitors of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), entacapone and tolcapone, which, by decreasing the elimination of levodopa, extend the duration of its effects. Increased 'on' time and less 'wearing-off' symptomatology can be expected with the use of these COMT inhibitors. Two non-ergot dopaminergic agonists (pramipexole and ropinirole) and a long-acting ergoline (cabergoline) are also being introduced. These dopaminergic agonists, like the ergot derivatives currently available (bromocriptine, lisuride, and pergolide), are useful as adjuncts to levodopa, and are also efficacious as monotherapies.
Ethnic Evaluations of Advertising: An Examination of the Interaction Effects of Strength of Ethnic Identification, Media Placement, and Degree of Racial Composition

Numerous advertising studies have examined the influence of human models on audience evaluations of advertisements. One particular area of focus has been on the attitudes among audiences towards ads of varying degrees of racial composition (i.e., ads containing all black models, all white models, or integrated ads featuring both races). The overwhelming majority of advertisements from the samples of past studies were drawn from media catering to mass, general audiences with little attention given to advertisements in racially-targeted media. There has been no general consensus as to how black or white audiences view advertisements featuring models of different racial backgrounds. However, most studies have focused on how members of the majority population view ads containing ethnic-minority models in general audience media. What has not been addressed in as much detail is how elhnic-minorities who are now being heavity targeted through media, view advertisements featuring majority models, particularly when these ads are placed in media which are racially- and culturally-specific. Advertisers spend approximately $865 million annually to reach African-American consumers, thus, there should be some understanding of how blacks respond to these advertising efforts. A major question left unanswered is, “ Is there any difference in how ethnic minorities view and ad featuring a model from the majority population (e.g., a white model) placed in general audience media (e.g., People Magazine) as opposed to racially- targeted media (e.g., Ebony Magazine)”? Given that ethnic minorities are being targeted, now more than ever before, through television programming as well as print publications, it is likely that the particular media in which ads are placed will have an impact on their evaluations of the ads.
Revisión de la literatura: relación e importancia de los canales de potasio en esclerosis múltiple

La esclerosis multiple (EM) es una enfermedad inflamatoria del sistema nervioso central (SNC), caracterizada por la desmielinizacion, con una preservacion relativa de los axones. En pacientes con EM se han atribuido muchos signos y sintomas neurologicos a la conduccion subyacente de deficits neurologicos de terminaciones neuronales. La idea de que la funcion neurologica podria mejorar si la conduccion pudiera ser restaurada en axones desmielinizados lleva a pensar en una prueba de mejoria bajo bloqueo de canales de potasio (K(+)) que pueda ser usada como un tratamiento sintomatico de la patologia. Hasta la fecha solo se han identificado dos posibles terapeuticas de amplio espectro del canal de K(+) de tipo bloqueadores: 4-aminopiridina (4-AP) y 3,4-diaminopiridina (3,4-DAP), probados con exito en pacientes con EM. Aunque ambos producen claros beneficios a nivel neurologico, su uso ha sido limitado por la toxicidad. En este articulo se revisa el estado actual de las investigaciones sobre el uso de los bloqueadores de canales de potasio y su importancia a futuro en la terapeutica de la esclerosis multiple y la ciencia basica aplicada a la investigacion clinica relacionada con la orientacion terapeutica de canales de voltaje- K(+) canales (K(v)). Con base en las ultimas publicaciones y en la experiencia de manejo en rehabilitacion, su objetivo es ofrecer una perspectiva sobre el conocimiento del manejo clinico de este subtipo de canal de K en patologias desmielinizantes, que ha demostrado una mejoria notable en la velocidad de marcha de pacientes que padecen esclerosis multiple por medio de la molecula bloqueadora de canales de potasio (K).
Temporal Changes in Microrna Expression in Blood Leukocytes from Patients with the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Background MicroRNA (miRNA) control gene transcription by binding to and repressing the translation of messenger RNA (mRNA). Their role in the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is undefined. Methods Blood leukocytes from 51 patients enrolled in a prior randomized trial of corticosteroids for ARDS were analyzed. After screening eight patients with microarrays for altered miRNA expression, 25 miRNAs were selected for further analysis using RT-PCR in all 51 patients. Results On day 0, the 51 patients had APACHE III score of 60.4 ± 17.7 and PaO2/FiO2 of 117 ± 49. 21 miRNA were expressed at increased levels in blood leukocytes at the onset of ARDS compared with healthy controls. These miRNA remained elevated at day 3 and increased further by day 7 (log2 fold change from 0.66 to 5.7 fold, P Conclusions Expression of miRNA is increased in blood leukocytes of patients with ARDS at day 0 and day 3 and rises further by day 7, when systemic inflammation is subsiding. These effects appear independent of the administration of steroids, suggesting different inflammatory modifying roles for each in the resolving phases of ARDS.
Abstract 456: Myxoma Viral Proteins, M-T7, Serp-1 and Serp-2, Alter Human Monocyte Gene Expression in Vitro

Introduction: Atherosclerosis is characterized by ongoing chronic inflammation, cell damage, apoptosis and scar formation all of which can initiate plaque growth and arterial occlusion. These prote...
Recurrence patterns of retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma and impact of salvage surgery.

Background Optimal treatment strategies for retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma (RPLMS), particularly recurrent disease, are unknown. Methods We searched the tumor registry at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) to identify patients with RPLMS treated between 1994 and 2013. Results We identified 172 patients with a diagnosis of a RPLMS. Among the 85 patients who underwent complete resection included in the survival analysis, the median overall survival (OS) was 8.3 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.7-12.3), 5-year local recurrence rate was 21%, and 5-year distant metastasis rate was 47%. Among 114 patients who experienced recurrence, patients who underwent salvage surgery for recurrent disease had longer OS after recurrence than patients who did not undergo salvage surgery (median survival after recurrence 5.6 vs 3.3 years, 3-year OS rates after recurrence 72.6% vs 58.1%, HR 0.402 [95%CI, 0.243-0.666]; P = 0.0004). Whether salvage surgery was performed for local or distant recurrence was not associated with OS. Patients who had a longer disease-free interval (≥12 months) had better progression-free survival after salvage surgery than those who had a shorter interval (HR, 0.437 [95%CI, 0.244-0.783]; P = 0.0055). Conclusions We recommend that salvage surgery be considered for selected patients with local or distant recurrence of RP LMS.
Spotfire: Managing a Multinational Start-Up

SUBJECT AREAS: International Entrepreneurial Finance, Venture Capital, Valuation, Deal Structuring, Entrepreneurship CASE SETTING: June, 1998, Swedish software company This case describes Spotfire, a two-year old software company specializing in the visualization of complex datasets. Spotfire was started in Sweden in April 1996 by a computer scientist turned entrepreneur. The lead investor in the company's latest round of funding was Atlas, a transatlantic venture capital firm. At the time of the case (June 1998) Spotfire is in the process of raising additional capital and the entrepreneur needs to assess the value of his company and the amount of capital that he should raise. In addition, Spotfire faces a number of important management challenges. First, the company needs to assess its marketing and sales strategy. Second, with the company's headquarters firmly installed in Boston after moving from Sweden, Spotfire needs to decide if and for how long to keep software development in Sweden. Both decisions will have an impact on the amount of capital that Spotfire needs to raise. A primary teaching purpose of the case is to assess funding needs and valuation of a young, fast-growing firm. Furthermore, the case can be used to teach about deal structures typically used by venture capitalists and about the reality of interaction between venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. Specifically, the case shows how venture capitalists add value beyond their invested capital but the case also shows how venture capitalists seek to protect their downside. An interesting feature of Spotfire is that it allows for a comparative discussion of the funding environment for start-ups in Sweden and the U.S. The case has been used in MBA and executive education programs at Harvard Business School, MIT and other leading business schools.
Tuning the pKa of Fluorescent Rhodamine pH Probes through Substituent Effects

Rhodamine spirolactams (RSLs) have recently emerged as popular fluorescent pH probes due to their fluorescence turn-on capability and ease of functionalization at the spirolactam nitrogen. Design of RSLs is often driven by biological targeting or compatibility concerns rather than the pH sensitivity of the probe, and the relationship between RSL structure and pKa is not well-understood. Here we present a series of 19 aniline-derived RSLs designed to elucidate the relationship between pKa values and the properties of substituents attached to the spirolactam nitrogen. RSLs derived from di-ortho-substituted anilines exhibit pKa tunability across the moderately acidic region (ca. pH 4 - 6). Evaluation of pKa data using the Fujita-Nishioka model for ortho substituent effects reveals that both steric and electronic substituent properties influence RSL pH responsiveness, with pKa values increasing as substituent size and electron withdrawing character increase. These trends are attributed to changes in the RSL structure induced by large substituents and to electronic influences on the protonated spirocyclic reaction intermediate. To demonstrate the practical applicability of these probes in completely aqueous environments, we present RSL-doped conjugated polymer nanoparticles, which exhibit a ratiometric fluorescence response to changing pH levels.
ewrapper: operationalizing engagement strategies in mHealth

The advancement of digital technologies particularly in the domain of mobile health (mHealth) holds great promise in the promotion of health behavior. However, keeping users engaged remains a central challenge. This paper proposes a novel approach to address this issue by supplementing existing and future mHealth applications with an engagement wrapper - a collection of engagement strategies integrated into a single, coherent model. The engagement wrapper is operationalized within the format of an ambient display on the lock screen of mobile devices.
Reliability of a feedback-controlled treadmill algorithm dependent on the user's behavior

The reliability of the treadmill belt speed using a feedback-controlled treadmill algorithm was analyzed in this study. Using biomechanical factors of the participant's walking behavior, an estimated walking speed was calculated and used to adjust the speed of the treadmill. Our proposed algorithm expands on the current hypotheses of feedback-controlled treadmill algorithms and is presented below. Nine healthy, young adults walked on a treadmill controlled by the algorithm for three trials over two days. Each participant walked on the feedback-controlled treadmill for one 16-minute and one five-minute trial during day one and one 16-minute trial during day two. Mean, standard deviation, interclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and standard error of measurement (SEM) were analyzed on the treadmill belt speed mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation. There were significantly high ICC for mean treadmill speed within- and between-days. Treadmill speed standard deviation and coefficient of variation were significantly reliable within-day. These results suggest the algorithm will reliably produce the same treadmill belt speed mean, but may only produce a similar treadmill belt speed standard deviation and coefficient of variation if the trials are performed in the same day. A feedback-controlled treadmill algorithm that accounts for the user's behavior provides a greater level of control and minimizes any possible constraints of walking on a conventional treadmill.
Dual-Energy CT in Hemorrhagic Progression of Cerebral Contusion: Overestimation of Hematoma Volumes on Standard 120-kV Images and Rectification with Virtual High-Energy Monochromatic Images after Contrast-Enhanced Whole-Body Imaging.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In patients with hemorrhagic contusions, hematoma volumes are overestimated on follow-up standard 120-kV images obtained after contrast-enhanced whole-body CT. We aimed to retrospectively determine hemorrhagic progression of contusion rates on 120-kV and 190-keV images derived from dual-energy CT and the magnitude of hematoma volume overestimation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed admission and follow-up CT studies in 40 patients with hemorrhagic contusions. After annotating the contusions, we measured volumes from admission and follow-up 120-kV and 190-keV images using semiautomated 3D segmentation. Bland-Altman analysis was used for hematoma volume comparison. RESULTS: On 120-kV images, hemorrhagic progression of contusions was detected in 24 of the 40 patients, while only 17 patients had hemorrhagic progression of contusions on 190-keV images ( P = .008). Hematoma volumes were systematically overestimated on follow-up 120-kV images (9.68 versus 8 mm 3 ; mean difference, 1.68 mm 3 ; standard error, 0.37; P CONCLUSIONS: The 120-kV images, which are comparable with single-energy CT images, significantly overestimated the hematoma volumes, hence the rate of hemorrhagic progression of contusions, after contrast-enhanced whole-body CT. Hence, follow-up of hemorrhagic contusions should be performed on dual-energy CT, and 190-keV images should be used for the assessment of hematoma volumes.
Assessment of contouring resource use and awareness of contouring guidelines among radiation oncologists

Clinical questions arise frequently at the point of care, and approximately half of these questions go unanswered, representing an opportunity to improve quality of care. Radiation oncologists perform the unique task of contour delineation, which has been linked to decreased survival and increased toxicity when performed inaccurately. Little is known about how radiation oncologists approach contouring-related questions in clinical practice. A survey was distributed to all attendees of an educational contouring symposium at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the American College of Radiation Oncology. Providers indicated their years of clinical experience and level of specialization and answered questions regarding resources used to answer contouring-related questions, awareness of consensus contouring guidelines, and barriers to guideline usage. Eighty-three out of 85 radiation oncologists attending the symposium returned the survey (97.6%). The majority of respondents were generalists (85%) and had over 10 years of clinical experience (73%). The most frequently used contouring resource was Radiation Therapy Oncology Group atlases (mean Likert score 4.1). Participants correctly identified the existence of consensus contouring guideline publications 42% of the time. The main barriers to guideline usage were a lack of awareness regarding publication (60%), poor ease of use (30%), lack of time (23%), and lack of comprehensiveness of available resources (21%). This study provides information to guide further development and implementation of contouring resources, with radiation oncologists preferring resources that are atlas-based and can be accessed quickly and easily. Both self-reported and objectively tested awareness of consensus contouring guidelines was low, reflecting a need for better guideline dissemination.
The Open Runtime Platform: a flexible high-performance managed runtime environment: Research Articles

The Open Runtime Platform (ORP) is a high-performance managed runtime environment (MRTE) that features exact generational garbage collection, fast thread synchronization, and multiple coexisting just-in-time compilers (JITs). ORP was designed for flexibility in order to support experiments in dynamic compilation, garbage collection, synchronization, and other technologies. It can be built to run either Java or Common Language Infrastructure (CLI) applications, to run under the Windows or Linux operating systems, and to run on the IA-32 or Itanium processor family (IPF) architectures. Achieving high performance in a MRTE presents many challenges, particularly when flexibility is a major goal. First, to enable the use of different garbage collectors and JITs, each component must be isolated from the rest of the environment through a well-defined software interface. Without careful attention, this isolation could easily harm performance. Second, MRTEs have correctness and safety requirements that traditional languages such as C++ lack. These requirements, including null pointer checks, array bounds checks, and type checks, impose additional runtime overhead. Finally, the dynamic nature of MRTEs makes some traditional compiler optimizations, such as devirtualization of method calls, more difficult to implement or more limited in applicability. To get full performance, JITs and the core virtual machine (VM) must cooperate to reduce or eliminate (where possible) these MRTE-specific overheads. In this paper, we describe the structure of ORP in detail, paying particular attention to how it supports flexibility while preserving high performance. We describe the interfaces between the garbage collector, the JIT, and the core VM; how these interfaces enable multiple garbage collectors and JITs without sacrificing performance; and how they allow the JIT and the core VM to reduce or eliminate MRTE-specific performance issues. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.An earlier version of this paper was published online [1].
Stem cell transplantation in sickle cell disease: therapeutic potential and challenges faced.

Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited hemoglobinopathy worldwide, and is a life-limiting disease with limited therapeutic options to reduce disease severity. Despite ...
Cdc14b: a new player in aging.

Cdc14 encodes a dual specificity protein phosphatase essential for mitotic exit. There are two Cdc14 isoforms (a and b) in vertebrates. Cdc14a localizes to the centrosome and Cdc14b localizes to the nucleolus [1]. The two mammalian Cdc14 isoforms have been speculated to exert essential mitotic functions, given the role of budding yeast ScCdc14 played in the cell cycle and the fact that both human CDC14A and CDC14B could rescue the mitotic exit defects of ScCdc14 mutants [2, 3]. However, it is apparent now that neither Cdc14a nor Cdc14b is required for mitotic exit, not even for the cell cycle [4-6]. Instead, both of them were shown to be involved in DNA damage response [4-7]. It is unclear how these two paralogous phosphatases are involved in DNA damage repair. It is imaginable that they are probably required to dephosphorylate some substrates that participate in the repair process. When Cdc14b-deficient mice were left to age, they develop cataracts and kyphosis at early ages [6], suggesting a role of Cdc14b in preventing the early onset of aging. Although this premature aging phenotype is consistent with the role of Cdc14b in DNA damage repair, we could not exclude the possibility that Cdc14b is involved in other cellular processes that are more important in preventing aging. Thus, we noticed a synergistic effect on aging when Cdc14b deficiency was combined with Cdh1 haploinsufficiency (Wei and Zhang, unpublished observation). Cdh1 is the adaptor protein for the E3 ubiquitin ligase APC (anaphase promoting complex). In budding yeasts Cdh1 is downstream from Cdc14 [8], which may also be true in mammals. However, there is no evidence suggesting a role of Cdh1 in DNA damage repair. Thus, it is possible that Cdc14b's function in aging is through Cdh1 in processes not related to damage repair. It will be interesting to see if Cdc14a also plays a role in aging.
Computational Aspects of Association for Bivariate Discrete Distributions

For bivariate discrete probability distributions, P, on the M x N lattice, various aspects for checking association (Esary, Proschan and Walkup (1967)) are considered. A new algorithm is given for verifying whether or not P is associated. The efficiency of this algorithm is obtained and compared to the efficiency of a simple algorithm based on the definition of association. When M = N = 5, for example, the new algorithm requires less than 3% of the computations required for the simple algorithm. In obtaining these results a new set function Q is constructed from P, on all upper sets in the lattice. In order to construct the algorithm to check association, we define a computationally important set of extreme points and consider related combinatorics.
The Impact of Multimedia Course Enhancements on Student Learning Outcomes

An online course was redesigned to use multimedia applications to improve student learning and promote meaningful engagement among classmates and course activities and materials. Consumer Health Informatics (CHI) is a masters-level course that examines Internet-based and telehealth models for delivering health information to consumers. When first offered in 2007, the delivery format was primarily textual. Following the course redesign in 2008, the course materials, including weekly topical discussion forums, projects, and course evaluations, were compared. Qualitative content analyses and statistical comparison of quantitative data demonstrated significant improvements in the level of students' engagement in course materials and with peers. Students' attitudes and perceptions recorded in course evaluations also showed significant changes.
Role of the π Initiation Protein and Direct Nucleotide Sequence Repeats in the Regulation of Plasmid R6K Replication

Bacterial plasmids vary considerably in size and copy number. A fundamental property shared by these elements, however, is their stable inheritance in a growing population of bacteria. This stable maintenance at a copy number characteristic of the element is determined by genetic regions on the plasmid that regulate the initiation of replication and subsequent partitioning of the plasmid. As in the case of bacterial and animal viruses that employ different mechanisms for their duplication in a particular host cell, plasmids have evolved different strategies to assure their maintenance at a specific copy number. In some cases both primary and secondary control circuits function to regulate the initiation of plasmid replication events and prevent loss of the element in an exponentially growing bacterial population. This paper will be concerned largely with the regulation of replication of the naturally occurring anti-biotic resistance plasmid R6K.
Gene therapy in hemophilia A: a cost-effectiveness analysis

Gene therapy provides a potential phenotypic cure for hemophilia, yet the cost of this novel treatment is high, tempering enthusiasm and raising questions regarding cost vs benefit. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of gene therapy treatment of severe hemophilia A compared with prophylaxis with factor VIII (FVIII), we developed a Markov state–transition model to estimate the costs and effectiveness of severe hemophilia A treatment strategies from a United States health care system perspective. Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were the effectiveness measure. In the base case, hypothetical cohorts of 30-year-old patients received gene therapy or FVIII prophylaxis. We obtained model probabilities and utilities from the literature and costs from Medicare reimbursement data. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of results. Over a 10-year time horizon, total per-person gene therapy strategy costs were $1.0M and resulted in 8.33 QALYs, whereas prophylaxis cost $1.7M and resulted in 6.62 QALYs. Thus, gene therapy dominated prophylaxis (costs less and was more effective). Gene therapy remained dominant unless initial costs exceeded $1.6M and were
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy after Double Lung Transplantation: Role of early Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support.

Abstract 63-year-old female with connective tissue disease and interstitial lung disease underwent bilateral lung transplant complicated by postoperative acute respiratory failure and development of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy necessitating veno arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support. Given the transient nature of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, supportive management until the resolution of the inciting emotional and physical stress usually result in symptoms resolution. Patients who go on to develop intractable hypoxia and refractory cardiogenic shock may benefit from early initiation of VA-ECMO, which can result in rapid and immediate improvement in hemodynamics and oxygenation.
Hvorfor ikke sammenligne

This article gives a critical overview over risks inherent in comparison, –risks of inequality between the two compared phenomena, the risk of using a normative standard, derived from one work or context for the evaluation of another work or another context, the risk of reducing the uniqueness of a work to generic or topical dimensions etc. However, the article moves on to make a strong argument for the necessity of comparison. It suggests the development of a more dynamic, dialectic and relational form of comparison. The article argues that any comparison is full of contradictory movements and therefore argues that a modern comparative method should focus on incommensurable juxtapositions, on contrapuntal opposition and reciprocity.
Diabetes and the link between neuroplasticity and glutamate in the aging human motor cortex.

Abstract Objectives In older adults, type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) impacts cognition and increases dementia risk. Prior studies suggest that impaired neuroplasticity may contribute to the cognitive decline in T2DM, but the underlying mechanisms of altered neuroplasticity are unclear. We investigated the relationship of the concentration of glutamatergic metabolites with measures of cortical plasticity in older adults across the spectrum of glucose intolerance/insulin resistance. Methods Forty adults (50–87 years: 17—T2DM, 14—pre-diabetes, 9—controls) underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopy to quantify glutamate and other key metabolites within a 2 cm3 region around the hand knob of the left primary motor cortex. Thirty-six also underwent a separate transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) assessment of cortical excitability and plasticity using single-pulse TMS and intermittent theta-burst stimulation targeting the same brain region. Results Group differences were observed in relative concentrations of glutamine (p = .028), glucose (p = .008), total cholines (p = .048), and the glutamine/glutamate ratio (p = .024). Cortical plasticity was reduced in both T2DM and pre-diabetes groups relative to controls (p-values Conclusions Neuroplastic mechanisms are already impaired in pre-diabetes. In T2DM, reduced cortico-motor plasticity is associated with lower cortical glutamate concentration. Significance Impaired plasticity in T2DM is associated with low glutamatergic metabolite levels. The glutamatergic neurotransmission system constitutes a potential therapeutic target for cognitive problems linked to plasticity-related deficiencies in T2DM.
Buffering Lipid Synthesis by Conditional Inhibition.

Lipid synthesis is a ubiquitous but costly branch of primary metabolism in plants. All cells must make fatty acids as precursors for cellular membranes and signaling molecules, and some cells make large quantities of fatty acid-derived products, such as oils (triacylglycerol) or cuticles (wax and
In vitro and in vivo roles of glucocorticoid and vitamin D receptors in the control of cardiomyocyte proliferative potential

Cardiomyocyte (CM) proliferative potential varies considerably across species. While lower vertebrates and neonatal mammals retain robust capacities for CM proliferation, adult mammalian CMs lose proliferative potential due to cell-cycle withdrawal and polyploidization, failing to mount a proliferative response to regenerate lost CMs after cardiac injury. The decline of murine cardiomyocyte proliferative potential occurs in the neonatal period when the endocrine system undergoes drastic changes for adaptation to extrauterine life. We recently demonstrated that thyroid hormone (TH) signaling functions as a primary factor driving CM proliferative potential loss in vertebrates. Whether other hormonal pathways govern this process remain largely unexplored. Here we showed that agonists of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) suppressed neonatal CM proliferation in vitro. We next examined CM nucleation and proliferation in mutant mice lacking GR or VDR specifically in cardiomyocytes, but we observed no difference between mutant and control littermates. Additionally, we generated compound mutant mice that lack GR or VDR and express dominant-negative TH receptor alpha in their CMs, and similarly observed no increase in CM proliferative potential compared to dominant-negative TH receptor alpha mice alone. Thus, although GR and VDR activation in cultured CMs is sufficient to inhibit CM proliferation, they seem to be dispensable for CM cell-cycle exit and binucleation in vivo. In addition, given the recent report that VDR activation in zebrafish promotes CM proliferation and tissue regeneration, our results suggest distinct roles of VDR in zebrafish and rodent CM cell-cycle regulation.
Failure Pressures of Dural Repairs in a Porcine Ex Vivo Model: Novel Use of Titanium Clips Versus Tissue Glue.

ObjectiveEndoscopic skull base surgery is advancing, and it is important to have reliable methods to repair the resulting defect. The objective of this study was to determine the failure pressures ...
Muscular architecture of the popliteus muscle and the basic science implications.

Abstract Background The function of the popliteus muscle is largely treated as a static stabilizer and has a lack of basic muscular architectural data to enable study of its dynamic function. A large volume of literature supports its static function and the essential need for reconstruction in the posterolateral knee when injured to restore knee stability. Hypothesis/purpose We hypothesize that the popliteus muscle is more significant as a dynamic presence in the knee. Methods A collection of popliteus architectural data was collected from 28 cadaver specimens (mean (SD) 76 years (11)). Physiological cross-sectional area of the popliteus and semimembranosus muscles were calculated from muscle volume and fiber length to power future muscle force prediction models. Posterior knee muscle trajectories were measured with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tibia. A 2-tailed T test was performed. Results Significant differences between males and females were found for both the popliteus (p = 1.1E − 05) and semimembranosus (p = 2.0E–05) muscle volumes. Significant differences between males and females were also found in PCSA for the popliteus (p = 0.005) and semimembranosus (p = 4.1E–05) muscles. There were no significant differences in fiber length, overall muscle length (with tendon removed), age, and orientation. Conclusion Further consideration should be given to include the popliteus muscle as a dynamic entity in the knee given its mechanical properties, trajectory, and prior biomechanical evidence showing when and how it is activated. The present study provides data that may shape future directions of research and treatment with regard to posterolateral corner injuries and ligamentous balancing of the knee.
Implications of relationship-induced self-concept change across partners: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model approach:

Investigations of relationship-induced self-concept change and relationship quality have generally been limited to intraindividual effects (i.e., actor effects). In the current study, we examined w...
Using Mobile Donation to Promote International Fundraising: A Situational Technology Acceptance Model

As donation through mobile devices becomes globally available, this study aims to promote its adoption and facilitate international fundraising, primarily by examining people’s motivations to make ...
Impact of provider characteristics on use of endovenous ablation procedures in Medicare beneficiaries.

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to assess the association between provider characteristics and intensity of endovenous therapy (EVT) utilization in the Medicare population. Methods The Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data Public Use Files (2012-2014) were queried to construct a database of providers performing EVT using laser or radiofrequency ablation techniques for treatment of lower extremity venous reflux. A utilization index (UI; EVT procedure per patient treated per year) was calculated for each provider, and median services per county were determined. Provider specialty, geographic region, and site of service (facility vs outpatient) were determined for each patient. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify provider characteristics associated with a UI above the 75th percentile. Results There were 6599 providers who performed EVT in 405,232 Medicare beneficiaries during the study period. Intensity of EVT use by providers was assessed by the calculated UI, the average number of EVT procedures performed in treated patients per year (range, 1-4). Vascular surgeons had the lowest UI among all provider specialties (1.32). By multivariate analysis, the likelihood of a provider's UI being >1.8 (top 25%) was associated with provider training in a field other than surgery, cardiology, or radiology (odds ratio [OR], 3.35; 2.74-4.09); services performed in an outpatient setting (OR, 2.62; 1.97-3.47); and providers who perform high annual volume of EVT (OR, 8.68; 7.59-9.91). A high annual volume provider was defined as one whose EVT volume was ≥75th percentile nationally. Conclusions There is great variation in intensity of vein ablation procedures performed on Medicare beneficiaries by geographic location and provider specialty. High-volume providers and those with a specialty not traditionally associated with the management of lower extremity chronic venous disease are more likely to perform more EVT procedures per patient.
Evaluation of the Host Genetic Effects of Tuberculosis-Associated Variants Among Patients With Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background Understanding the link between tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes is increasingly important as public health responds to the growing global burden of noncommunicable diseases. Genetic association studies have identified numerous host genetic variants linked to TB; however, potential host genetic mechanisms linking TB and diabetes remain unexplored. Methods We used genetic and phenotypic data from the UK Biobank to evaluate the association of 6 previously reported TB-related host genetic variants (genome-wide significant associations from published studies) with diabetes. The study included 409 692 adults of European ancestry including 2177 with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and 13 976 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), defined by ICD-10 diagnosis codes. Results Of the 6 TB-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 2 were associated with T1DM and 3 with T2DM, after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, alcohol use, and population structure. After correction for multiple testing, SNPs rs2894257 and rs3135359 (HLA-DRA-DQA1) were associated with T1DM (rs2894257: odds ratio [OR], 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-1.45; rs3135359: OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.57-1.88) and T2DM (rs2894257: OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.08-1.15; rs3135359: OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.025-1.096). The associations with T2DM weakened for rs2894257 and rs3135359 after further exclusion of probable T1DM cases defined by International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) codes. SNP rs4733781 on chromosome 8 (ASAP1 gene) was associated with T2DM after exclusion of T1DM cases. Conclusions Our findings suggest that common host genetic effects may play a role in the molecular mechanism linking TB and diabetes. Future large genetic studies of TB and diabetes should focus on developing countries with high burdens of infectious and chronic diseases.
Chapter 6 – Acid-Base Chemistry

Environmental acidity and basicity arise from numerous sources: wash-out of atmospheric gases in the troposphere and their subsequent wet deposition on the land surface, fertilizer use and biomass harvest in agriculture, dissimilatory nitrate and sulfate reduction and chemical weathering of minerals in soils and aquifers. The criteria for measuring acidity or basicity in the environment must account for the dissolution of carbon dioxide in water and the production of bicarbonate ions—the conjugate base of the weak acid aqueous carbon dioxide. Bicarbonate ions are the basis of water alkalinity; the reference level used by environmental chemists shifts below pH 7 as hydroxyl ions are converted into bicarbonate ions by aqueous carbon dioxide The accumulation of soil salinity and exchangeable sodium occurs in arid climates leading to a reduction in soil clay plasticity that degrade soil structure and reduces soil hydraulic conductivity. Sodification is a complex process that involves cation exchange, pH-dependent calcite solubility, and increases in alkalinity. At the other climatic extreme, soil acidification involves interactions between pH-dependent changes in aluminum hydrous oxide solubility and cation exchange, leading to the accumulation of exchangeable aluminum ions. Exchangeable aluminum ions behave as weak acids, and their accumulation amounts to a chemically active but insoluble form of acidity in humid region soils.
The International Conferences for Women in Physics

The International Conference for Women in Physics (ICWIP) meets every three years in locations around the globe. Under the auspices of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP), ICWIP draws female physicists (and a few males) from over two dozen countries to meet for three days and share stories and research, in order to promote a more equitable physics community. The first ICWIP was created to get a sense of the status of women in physics globally. This goal has been upheld with the following conferences. But the value of a meeting is not just for those who attend; sharing what is learned is in many cases even more valuable. In this paper, we share an overview of the ICWIP, focus on what will be useful for readers of The Physics Teacher, and highlight the fact that the proceedings of the ICWIP are all available for free through AIP Publishing, as part of the goal of sharing work that will help make physics a more diverse and equitable field.
A phase II study of lorlatinib in patients (pts) with ALK-positive (ALK+) lung cancer with brain-only progression.

9595Background: Lorlatinib is a 3rd-generation ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) developed to penetrate the central nervous system (CNS) and overcome resistance to 2nd-generation (2nd-gen) ALK TK...
Positioning the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Squarely on the Center of the Desk.

The scholarship of teaching and learning (SOTL) is one of four traditionally defined domains of research. Yet faculty members who pursue the SOTL may feel disadvantaged because of its relatively low perceived value by many institutions. Thus, interested faculty members may relegate the SOTL to a limited, secondary line of research and instead pursue other types of research that appear to be more highly valued by the institution. This commentary explores the benefits to the institution when the SOTL is expressly valued and purposefully supported. We advocate for a multifaceted approach by which pharmacy education leaders can examine how the SOTL is valued, encouraged, and supported through organizational structure and policy. Approaches to solidify and communicate the institutional value of the SOTL are discussed. Specific attention to ensure the SOTL is represented in rewards and incentive systems, such as the college or school’s promotion and tenure policies, may empower faculty members to pursue success in this area of research.
Maximum Torque per Ampere (MTPA) Control for Scalar v/f Controlled SPMSM Drives

This paper proposes a new maximum torque per Ampere (MTPA) control strategy for surface permanent magnet synchronous motors (SPMSMs) controlled by scalar control (v/f) method. In general, the scalar control method controls only the phase angle and the magnitude of the stator voltage vector. This approach can track the MTPA point without knowing the rotor position. The proposed method basically injects the high frequency voltage signal, and the input power calculated from the measured current and the command voltage is processed to generate the adjustment term of the voltage magnitude. Therefore, the phase angle of the current vector in the rotor reference frame can be changed. As a result, the MTPA for SPMSMs can be achieved in all speed-torque ranges and the system efficiency can be improved. In addition, this method is robust to the machine parameter errors such as the stator inductance. Simulation and experimental results are provided to verify the performance of this control strategy.
Teaching scared: pre-service teacher appraisals of racial stress, socialization and classroom management self-efficacy

The fears of pre-service teachers, particularly Teach for America (TFA) teachers. about working in urban classroom settings are framed as racial stress. Racial stress is the threat of well-being when one is unprepared to negotiate a race-related interpersonal encounter. Currently, there exist no measures on racial stress, socialization, and coping for teachers of African American and Latino students. Findings reveal that newly developed and reliable measures of teacher appraisal of racial/ethnic stressful interactions, socialization and coping are related to classroom management self-efficacy and school collegial racial conversations. These findings have implications for racial stress management as key to developing high quality teacher-student relationships.
Rudimentary Dexterity Corresponds With Reduced Ability to Move in Synergy After Stroke: Evidence of Competition Between Corticoreticulospinal and Corticospinal Tracts?:

ObjectiveWhen a stroke damages the corticospinal tract (CST), it has been hypothesized that the motor system switches to using the corticoreticulospinal tract (CRST) resulting in abnormal arm syner...
Ultrasonography Is Best Initial Imaging for Suspected Kidney Stones

Initial point-of-care or radiology department ultrasonography is a safe and accurate approach to the patient with clinically suspected kidney stones, which helps reduce radiation exposure. Although computed tomography (CT) remains the most accurate test overall, a strategy beginning with ultrasonography (including point-of-care ultrasonography performed by an emergency physician) can help many patients avoid CT and its associated radiation.
Fuel-burning thermoelectric generators for the future of electric vehicles

Abstract Ragone plot showing power density (kW/kg) and energy density (kWh/kg) is widely used for batteries, fuel cells and other energy conversion technologies. This is particularly useful for transportation and mobile applications where the weight is a key limiting factor. Here, we present for the first time, Ragone plot for scalable fuel-burning thermoelectric power generators. Optimizing thermoelectric leg geometry, the highest power and energy densities nearly scale with the square root of the material figure-of-merit (ZT). Internal heat recovery can improve fuel economy by 350% (reaching an efficiency >20% for a temperature independent ZTavg ~0.5), however, there is a trade-off due to the additional mass of heat exchanger hence the reduced power density. Prospects for electrification of particularly compact and unmanned vehicles are discussed. We foresee the potential of using fuel to drive fully-electric vehicles with high temperature thermoelectric generators. Development of the technologies for high heat transfer, reliable and robust contacts, and high ZT over a wide temperature range presents opportunities in the future energy landscape for mobile applications.
OUTPUT: Choreographed and Reconfigured Human and Industrial Robot Bodies Across Artistic Modalities.

Millions of industrial robots are used across manufacturing and research applications worldwide. Handfuls of these robots have been used in dance, installation, and theatrical art works as tools and performers. OUTPUT, a collaborative artwork presented here, employs an industrial robot as choreographic source material and dancing body in order to reframe these robots as performers and bring them into closer proximity with the general public. This OUTPUT work has existed as a performance, installation, and augmented reality application. All three formats of the work include improvisational components, where a human can dance with a representation of themselves alongside an industrial robot, and thus have an embodied and creative experience next to these sequestered machines.