cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cigarette smoke induces methylation of the tumor suppressor gene NISCH.

We have previously identified a putative tumor suppressor gene, NISCH, whose promoter is methylated in lung tumor tissue as well as in plasma obtained from lung cancer patients. NISCH was observed to be more frequently methylated in smoker lung cancer patients than in non-smoker lung cancer patients. Here, we investigated the effect of tobacco smoke exposure on methylation of the NISCH gene. We tested methylation of NISCH after oral keratinocytes were exposed to mainstream and side stream cigarette smoke extract in culture. Methylation of the promoter region of the NISCH gene was also evaluated in plasma obtained from lifetime non-smokers and light smokers (< 20 pack/year), with and without lung tumors, and heavy smokers (20+ pack/year) without disease. Promoter methylation of NISCH was tested by quantitative fluorogenic real-time PCR in all samples. Promoter methylation of NISCH occurred after exposure to mainstream tobacco smoke as well as to side stream tobacco smoke in normal oral keratinocyte cell lines. NISCH methylation was also detected in 68% of high-risk, heavy smokers without detectable tumors. Interestingly, in light smokers, NISCH methylation was present in 69% of patients with lung cancer and absent in those without disease. Our pilot study indicates that tobacco smoke induces methylation changes in the NISCH gene promoter before any detectable cancer. Methylation of the NISCH gene was also found in lung cancer patients’ plasma samples. After confirming these findings in longitudinally collected plasma samples from high-risk populations (such as heavy smokers), examining patients for hypermethylation of the NISCH gene may aid in identifying those who should undergo additional screening for lung cancer.
Influence of structural variations on high-resolution electron microscopy images of poly[1,6-di(N-carbazolyl)2,4-hexadiyne] nanocrystals

Abstract High-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) was used to obtain information about structural variations in poly[1,6-di(N-carbazolyl)-2,4-hexadiyne) (polyDCHD) nanocrystals. Several particles in different crystallographic zones were imaged with high spatial resolution of up to 0.19nm, resulting in image information on a subunit-cell level (a = 1.74nm, b = 1.29nm and c = 0.49nm; β = 108.3°, P21/a; Z = 2). The average nanocrystal had a nominally rectangular shape and a size of about 40 nm × 80 nm with the major growth direction along the polymer chains (001). Most of the HREM images correspond to the [100] or [120] zone. In a few cases, it was also possible to image crystals oriented in the [001] zone with the polymer chain axis normal to the carbon substrate. Image interpretation was done by comparison with multislice HREM image simulations based on an approximation for the crystal structure and imaging conditions. These simulations performed for polyDCHD indicate that the HREM image is sensitive to ...
Reduction in corneal haze and apoptosis by amniotic membrane matrix in excimer laser photoablation in rabbits.

Abstract Purpose To determine whether preserved human amniotic membrane can reduce corneal haze and keratocyte apoptosis induced by excimer laser photoablation in rabbit corneas. Methods Excimer photoablation was performed bilaterally in 30 rabbits with a 6.0 mm ablation zone and 120 μm depth using the VISX Star laser with the phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) mode. One eye was randomly covered by preserved human amniotic membrane secured with 4 interrupted 10-0 nylon sutures, and the other eye served as the control. The amniotic membranes were removed at 1 week, and corneal haze was graded with slitlamp biomicroscopy by 3 masked corneal specialists biweekly for the ensuing 12 weeks until the rabbits were killed. Another 18 rabbits were divided into 4 subgroups and received PTK alone, PTK with membrane, PTK with sham sutures, or PTK with tarsorrhaphy. All eyes were studied histologically, and 3 eyes in each group were studied by in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxy-UTP-nick end labeling assay at 1, 3, and 7 days and 12 weeks, respectively. Results A consistent grading of differences in corneal haze scoring between the control corneas and the amniotic-membrane-covered corneas was noted among the 3 masked observers. Organized reticular post-PTK corneal haze peaked at 7 weeks in both groups, and the corneal haze score in the amniotic-membrane-covered group was significantly less than in the control group from 7 to 12 weeks (all P P Conclusions Amniotic membrane matrix introduced at an early stage of the corneal wound healing process effectively reduced corneal haze induced by excimer laser photoablation in rabbits. Studies linking suppression of apoptosis in the acute wound-healing process with reduction of subsequent corneal scarring may have useful clinical applications.
Infants and toddlers with autism: The promise and the challenges

There has been a marked increase in interest in early identification of young children with and at risk for autism. This interest has reflected advances in research as well as an awareness of the potential for major changes in long-term outcome as a result of intervention. Several issues have complicated these efforts. There continue to be challenges to implementation of effective screening and diagnostic approaches in young children. Although the body of evidence-based research on treatment has increased, it remains limited. Despite these issues, important findings have emerged that may assist in fostering better approaches to screening, diagnosis, and documenting treatment impact.
Psychological Impact of Peyronie's Disease: A Review

ABSTRACT Introduction Peyronie's disease (PD) is characterized by an accumulation of scar tissue in the tunica albuginea of the penis that causes curvature and deformity. PD can result in psychological distress, depression, or anxiety, which often goes untreated. Aims To review the current literature on the psychological impact of PD, educate healthcare providers about the psychological components of the disease, and propose interventions that address the psychological and sexual challenges patients and their partners may encounter. Methods We performed a MEDLINE search, limited to English, using the terms “Peyronie's disease” AND “psychological” OR “psychosocial,” and select references were included for review. Main Outcome Measure Critical review of the currently available English language literature. Results PD and its associated deformity often impairs sexual relations and frequently leads to psychological and psychosocial sequelae for affected individuals. Many men experience depression, low self‐esteem, and emotional distress; these problems markedly diminish the quality of life for affected individuals. The literature suggests that as many as 81% of men report “emotional difficulties,” 48% report clinically meaningful depression (26% moderate; 21% severe), and 54% report relationship problems due to PD. The challenges imposed by PD include alterations in sexual relationships, restrictions on intimacy, social isolation, and stigmatization, all of which are linked and reinforce each other. Physicians may be unaware of the psychological sequelae suffered by patients and their partners. Conclusions Improved awareness and education about the psychological consequences and treatment options for PD are necessary among healthcare providers. To best help patients and optimize outcomes, a team‐based approach is needed that includes psychosocial assessment and appropriate resource referrals for the patient and his sexual partner. Nelson CJ and Mulhall JP. Psychological impact of Peyronie's disease: A review. J Sex Med 2013;10:653–660.
Disruption of a topoisomerase-DNA cleavage complex by a DNA helicase

Abstract The type II DNA topoisomerases are targets for a variety of chemotherapeutic agents, including the antibacterial quinolones and several families of antitumor drugs. These agents stabilize an enzyme-DNA cleavage complex that consists of the topoisomerase covalently linked to the 5' phosphates of a double-stranded DNA break. Although the drug-stabilized cleavage complex is readily reversible, it can result in cell death by a mechanism that remains uncertain. Here we demonstrate that the action of a DNA helicase can convert the cleavage complex into a nonreversible DNA break by displacing DNA strands from the complex. Formation of a nonreversible DNA break, induced by a DNA helicase, could explain the cytotoxicity of these topoisomerase poisons.
CT for asbestosis: value and limitations.

CT is more sensitive than clinical evaluation for the detection of asbestosis but is inevitably less sensitive and less specific than pathologic evaluation. For the asbestos-exposed individual, CT is useful for the evaluation of suspected lung masses, particularly rounded atelectasis [15], for identifying pleural plaques, and for confirming unequivocal asbestosis (grade 2 or grade 3 [8]). CT also will identify and quantify emphysema as a cause of physiologic impairment. Because clinicians commonly use CT to resolve clinical uncertainties, radiologists often feel pressured to categorize disease as unequivocally present or absent. Gamsu et al. [8] show that the borderline between normal and abnormal is not always sharply defined. In the absence of pathologic proof, the diagnosis of asbestosis must be based on a thoughtful evaluation of the likelihood of asbestosis by use of all available clinical, physiologic, and radiologic information. The scoring systems used by Gamsu et al. [8] offer a practical approac...
Family perspectives on end-of-life care at the last place of care.

ContextOver the past century, nursing homes and hospitals increasingly have become the site of death, yet no national studies have examined the adequacy or quality of end-of-life care in institutional settings compared with deaths at home.ObjectiveTo evaluate the US dying experience at home and in institutional settings.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsMortality follow-back survey of family members or other knowledgeable informants representing 1578 decedents, with a 2-stage probability sample used to estimate end-of-life care outcomes for 1.97 million deaths from chronic illness in the United States in 2000. Informants were asked via telephone about the patient's experience at the last place of care at which the patient spent more than 48 hours.Main Outcome MeasuresPatient- and family-centered end-of-life care outcomes, including whether health care workers (1) provided the desired physical comfort and emotional support to the dying person, (2) supported shared decision making, (3) treated the dying person with respect, (4) attended to the emotional needs of the family, and (5) provided coordinated care.ResultsFor 1059 of 1578 decedents (67.1%), the last place of care was an institution. Of 519 (32.9%) patients dying at home represented by this sample, 198 (38.2%) did not receive nursing services; 65 (12.5%) had home nursing services, and 256 (49.3%) had home hospice services. About one quarter of all patients with pain or dyspnea did not receive adequate treatment, and one quarter reported concerns with physician communication. More than one third of respondents cared for by a home health agency, nursing home, or hospital reported insufficient emotional support for the patient and/or 1 or more concerns with family emotional support, compared with about one fifth of those receiving home hospice services. Nursing home residents were less likely than those cared for in a hospital or by home hospice services to always have been treated with respect at the end of life (68.2% vs 79.6% and 96.2%, respectively). Family members of patients receiving hospice services were more satisfied with overall quality of care: 70.7% rated care as "excellent" compared with less than 50% of those dying in an institutional setting or with home health services (P<.001).ConclusionsMany people dying in institutions have unmet needs for symptom amelioration, physician communication, emotional support, and being treated with respect. Family members of decedents who received care at home with hospice services were more likely to report a favorable dying experience.
Viewpoint-Invariant and Illumination-Invariant Classification of Natural Surfaces Using General-Purpose Color and Texture Features with the ALISA dCRC Classifier

The paper reports the development of a classifier that can accurately and reliably discriminate among a large number of different natural surfaces in canonical and natural color images regardless of the viewpoint and illumination conditions. To achieve this objective, a set of general-purpose color and texture features were identified as the input to an ALISA statistical learning engine. These general-purpose color and texture features are those which exhibit the least sensitivity to illumination and viewpoint variation in a broad range of applications. To overcome the Bayesian confusion while a large number of test classes are involved, an ALISA deltaCRC classification method is developed. The classifier selects the trained class which has a known reclassification distribution histogram of a training image patch that is most closely matched with the unknown classification distribution of the test image patch. Preliminary results using the CUReT color texture dataset with test images not in the training set yields average classification accuracies well above 95% with no significant associated cost in computation time.
Alexithymia in Men: How and When Do Emotional Processing Deficiencies Occur?

The present study extended existing research on alexithymia in men, investigating whether the deficit in processing emotions occurs early in the process, as a result of dissociation or repression, or later, as a result of suppression. We also examined the assumption in Levant’s (2011) normative male alexithymia hypothesis that men with alexithymia would show the greatest deficits in identifying words for emotions discouraged by masculine norms that expressed vulnerability and attachment. Study 1, with 258 college men, showed that scores on measures of alexithymia and normative male alexithymia were more strongly and uniquely predicted by suppression than repression and dissociation, while controlling for positive and negative affect and depression. Study 2 used semantic priming with 85 college men, and revealed that men with alexithymia showed more errors in lexical decision performance using target emotion words discouraged by masculine norms as compared to men without alexithymia. In addition, men with and without alexithymia did not differ in their accuracy using target emotion words that are encouraged by masculine norms. We also found that the disruption in emotional processing among men with alexithymia occurred at 500 ms stimulus onset asynchrony, which is slow enough for conscious processing, supporting an explanation of suppression as the mechanism for the inhibition.
A zero-crossing-based optimal three-dimensional edge detector

Abstract Three-dimensional (3D) image processing and interpretation is very important in many medical and industrial applications. Detection of 3D boundaries is an essential step in most of the 3D image analysis tasks. In this paper a new computational approach to 3D edge detection is proposed. Optimality criteria such as signal-to-noise ratio, localization, and spurious response for zero-crossing-based, rotationally invariant 3D step edge detectors are derived. An optimal 3D step edge detector is obtained by optimizing a penalty function which combines all the three criteria. The closed form solution to the optimization problem yields the optimal detector. The detector is the Laplacian of a rotationally invariant function, which has a finite spatial support. The behavior of the proposed detector is theoretically analyzed and compared to that of the 3D Laplacian of Gaussian detector. Experimental results with some synthetic and real images are presented.
AccMon: Automatically Detecting Memory-Related Bugs via Program Counter-Based Invariants

This paper makes two contributions to architectural support for software debugging. First, it proposes a novel statistics-based, on-the-fly bug detection method called PC-based invariant detection. The idea is based on the observation that, in most programs, a given memory location is typically accessed by only a few instructions. Therefore, by capturing the invariant of the set of PCs that normally access a given variable, we can detect accesses by outlier instructions, which are often caused by memory corruption, buffer overflow, stack smashing or other memory-related bugs. Since this method is statistics-based, it can detect bugs that do not violate any programming rules and that, therefore, are likely to be missed by many existing tools. The second contribution is a novel architectural extension called the Check Look-aside Buffer (CLB). The CLB uses a Bloom filter to reduce monitoring overheads in the recently-proposed iWatcher architectural framework for software debugging. The CLB significantly reduces the overhead of PC-based invariant debugging. We demonstrate a PC-based invariant detection tool called AccMon that leverages architectural, run-time system and compiler support. Our experimental results with seven buggy applications and a total of ten bugs, show that AccMon can detect all ten bugs with few false alarms (0 for five applications and 2-8 for two applications) and with low overhead (0.24-2.88 times). Several existing tools evaluated, including Purify, CCured and value-based invariant detection tools, fail to detect some of the bugs. In addition, Purify's overhead is one order of magnitude higher than AccMon's. Finally, we show that the CLB is very effective at reducing overhead.
SPSSI's Living Past

Emphasizing that history is a dialogue with the past, in the present, having implications for the future, I comment on the articles in this issue and their role in providing historically informed perspectives on some of the perennial concerns pursued by individual SPSSI members and the organization itself.
Sociodemographic correlates of self-reported exposure to e-cigarette communications and its association with public support for smoke-free and vape-free policies: results from a national survey of US adults

Background Exposure to e-cigarette communications (eg, advertisements, news and entertainment media, and interpersonal discussion) may influence support for smoke-free or vape-free policies. This study examined the sociodemographic correlates of self-reported exposure to e-cigarette communications and their relationships with support for restricting vaping and smoking in public venues. Method Online survey data was collected from a representative sample of US adults (n=1449) between October and December 2013 (mean age=50 years, 51% female, 8% African-American, 10% Hispanic, 6% other races) and weighted to match the US adult population. We fitted multiple regression models, adjusting for demographic variables, to examine associations between support for policies to restrict vaping and smoking in public venues and self-reported frequency of exposure to e-cigarette communications in the preceding month. We fitted separate models to assess associations between policy support and frequency of exposures weighted by whether each category of e-cigarette communications was perceived as positive or negative. Results Higher self-reported exposure to advertising (B=−0.022, p=0.006), other media (B=−0.022, p=0.043) and interpersonal discussion (B=−0.071, p Conclusions Further research is needed to assess whether messages portraying e-cigarettes as a way to circumvent smoking restrictions from advertisements and other media are influencing public support for vape-free policies. These findings provide empirical evidence to inform the policy debate over regulating specific e-cigarette advertising claims.
Splice isoform estrogen receptors as integral transmembrane proteins.

In addition to enhancing or repressing transcription, steroid hormone receptors rapidly transduce kinase activation signals. On ligand engagement, an N-terminus–truncated splice isoform of estrogen receptor (ER) α, ER46, triggers membrane-initiated signals, resulting in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation and endothelial NO production. The orientation of ER46 at the plasma membrane is incompletely defined. With the use of ecliptic pHluorin-fused ER46, total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy in live human endothelial cells illustrates that ER46 can topologically conform to a type I transmembrane protein structure. Mutation of isoleucine-386 at the center of ER46's transmembrane hydrophobic core prevents membrane spanning, obscures the N-terminal ectodomain, and effects a marked reduction in membrane-impermeant estrogen binding with diminished rapid eNOS activation and NO production, despite maintained genomic induction of an estrogen response element–luciferase reporter. Thus there exist pools of transmembrane steroid hormone receptors that are efficient signaling molecules and potential novel therapeutic targets.
The MethDet: a technology for biomarker development

Early detection and diagnosis of a disease in its presymptomatic form has to rely on biomarkers, and multiple laboratories are involved in their development and validation. In this article, we describe our work on a platform technology for a genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation while still using a small amount of sample – a biopsy, a section from a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue or a small volume (0.4 ml) of plasma from blood. This technology (methylation detection or MethDet) allows genome-wide association studies similar to the analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Instead of mostly static genetic differences, the MethDet technology tests disease-dependent changes of epigenetic makeup, which is closely related to the gene expression pattern of a disease. The MethDet assay has the capacity to utilize highly fragmented DNA (e.g., cell-free circulating DNA from plasma) to identify disease-specific changes, effects of treatment or changes in the disease activity.
Platelet aggregation in humans is affected by replacement of dietary linoleic acid with oleic acid.

The effect of concentrations of linoleic acid (LA) on platelet aggregation was measured in seven healthy adult males. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups; these groups were fed natural food diets ofidentical composition except that one was high in LA (1 1.5% ofenergy) and low in oleic acid (OA) (7.4% ofenergy), the other was low in LA (4.5% of energy) and high in OA (15.7% ofenergy). The thresholds ofADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation were increased significantly by the high LA diet even though the intake of total fat and saturated fatty acids did not differ in these diets. Am J Clin Nutr I 99 1;54:359-62.
Conormal problem of higher-order parabolic systems with time irregular coefficients

The paper is a comprehensive study of Lp and Schauder estimates for higher-order divergence type parabolic systems with discontinuous coefficients on a half space and cylindrical domains with the conormal derivative boundary conditions. For the Lp estimates, we assume that the leading coefficients are only bounded and measurable in the t variable and have vanishing mean oscillations (VMOx) with respect to x. We also prove the Schauder estimates in two situations: the coefficients are Holder continuous only in the x variable; the coefficients are Holder continuous in the t variable as well on the lateral boundary.
Olfactory and psychomotor symptoms in HIV and aging: Potential precursors to cognitive loss

In the United States, more than 100,000 adults 50 years old and over are diagnosed with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The number of older adults living with HIV is increasing dramatically due primarily to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) which is transforming this disease into a chronic condition for many who are responding well to treatment. This population is also growing due to later-life infections and reflects the overall aging of the larger population in general. Yet, despite the novelty of such developing demographic trends, the negative consequences of aging with HIV are largely unknown. Therefore, it is necessary to synthesize the gerontological and HIV/AIDS literatures to hypothesize possible areas that may be of concern to people as they age with this disease. One area of particular concern focuses on tell-tale signs of cognitive problems and the development of dementia. Separately, older adults and adults with HIV are more susceptible of experiencing cognitive declines and dementia. Thus, as people age with HIV, they may be particularly susceptible of such cognitive problems and therefore detecting such problems in the early stages may be vital in preventing further problems. Based on the literature, adults infected with HIV experience impairments in olfaction and psychomotor ability. Similar symptoms are exhibited in older adults with Parkinson's disease and other dementias. Thus, for older adults with IIIV, declines in both olfaction and psychomotor skills may be early signs of a developing neurodegenerative disorder. Implications for those aging with IIIV are posited.
Comparative risk of cardiac catheterisations performed on low birth weight neonates

To determine whether cardiac catheterisation procedures for low birth weight neonates ≤2.5 kg carries a greater risk of complications compared with neonates >2.5 kg, we conducted a single-centre retrospective case–control study. From 01/03 to 01/09, 46 consecutive neonates 2.5 kg were randomly selected from our heart centre database during the same time period. Data included demographic characteristics, type of intervention, fluoroscopy time, contrast volume, pre- and post-blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio, physician performing procedure, procedural risk category, and all major and minor complications. The overall incidence of complications was higher in neonates ≤2.5 kg compared with neonates >2.5 kg (34.8% versus 17.6%, p = 0.023) because of a greater proportion of minor complications (34.8% versus 16.9%, p = 0.021). When specific minor complications were stratified, there was a greater incidence of hypotension requiring intravenous fluids in neonates ≤2.5 kg (6.5% versus 0%, p = 0.015). After controlling for physician performing procedure and risk category, neonates ≤2.5 kg remained at a higher risk for any complication (adjusted odds ratio = 3.2, 95% confidence interval 1.4–7.2, p = 0.005). The percentage of neonates having at least one major complication was not higher in the ≤2.5-kg group (2.2% versus 2.2%). No procedural deaths occurred in either group.
Comparative analysis of detecting monocytic cells and their aberrancy.

Background and study purpose Detection of monocytic cells (MCs) and their aberrancy is important in the diagnoses of monocytic leukemias [chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), acute MML (AMML), and acute monocytic/monoblastic leukemia (AMoL)]. MCs may be identified by cytomorphology (CM), enzyme cytochemical staining with nonspecific esterases, flow cytometric analysis (FCA), and immunohistochemical analysis (IHCA); their aberrancy, by FCA or IHCA. As aberrant antigen expression on MCs is not detected by CM or enzyme cytochemical staining and as there may be instances of "dry tap" or a fresh bone marrow aspirate is not available for further analysis, the primary and specific purpose of this study is to globally compare the detection of MCs and their aberrancy by the 2 methods of FCA and IHCA. Procedures Forty bone marrow (aspirate, clot, and biopsy) samples (7 CMMLs; 33 AMMLs and AMoLs) are evaluated by CM, FCA (complete immunophenotypic panel), and retrospective IHCA (CD2, CD3, CD14, CD33, CD56, CD68, CD123, and CD163). Results Forty-five percent showed a higher percentage of MCs by FCA than by CM. In addition, CD14, CD2, and CD56 detections on MCs showed greater sensitivity by FCA than by IHCA. By IHCA, CD14 showed the highest specificity for MCs (CD163, less specificity; CD68 and CD33, low specificity). CD123 did not correlate with CD14 or CD163, stained a subset of AMMLs/AMoLs, and stained no CMMLs. By comparing IHCA in clot versus biopsy sections, CD56 showed highest correlation (93%), followed by CD14 (85%) and CD33 (70%). CD68, CD163, and CD123 showed greater reactivities in clots (48%, 44%, and 35%, respectively), likely because of decalcification. Conclusions FCA is most sensitive in detecting MCs and their aberrancy. By IHCA, CD14 is most specific. CD123 inconsistently marks AMMLs/AMoLs. Further evaluation of CD123 may determine the usefulness of CD123 in AML subtyping and possible prognostic implications and targeted therapy.
Impact of telehealth on patient self-management of heart failure: a review of literature.

Purpose The objective of the study was to explore the impact of telehealth interventions on individuals' self-care of heart failure (HF). Background Heart failure is a chronic illness that requires a complex treatment regimen over a long period. Historically, effective self-care has been difficult for this population. There is a need for innovative and effective approaches to improve individual self-care. Telehealth can potentially help individuals with HF follow the plan of care resulting in improved health outcomes and a better quality of life. Review methods A comprehensive computer-assisted literature search using the terms "(telemedicine OR telehealth) AND (self-care OR self-management) AND (heart failure)" was conducted using electronic databases of ASP, CINAHL, Cochrane reviews, ERIC, PubMed, PsychINFO, Social Sciences Abstracts Index, and Web of Science for studies published between 2000 and 2010 to find research that met the inclusion criteria. Results Fourteen studies were included in the review. Telehealth resulted in significant improvement of HF self-care behaviors of daily weighing, medication management, exercise adherence, fluid and alcohol restriction, salt restriction, or stress reduction in the telehealth intervention group in 5 studies. Participants reported improved HF self-care behaviors in 3 other studies with pretest-posttest design. Five others found no difference between the intervention and control groups. Content analysis of the data in the qualitative study revealed themes suggesting that telehealth can be effective in promoting self-care for individuals with HF. However, small sample size and inadequate measurement methods limit the generalizability of the findings of the studies included in this review. Conclusion Although this review included several studies with flawed design issues, the available evidence supports the use of telehealth in enabling self-care of HF. Further exploration is needed to determine the effect of telehealth on HF self-care outcomes using studies with high-quality design and improved data collection procedures.
Expanding the Crystal Chemistry of Uranyl Peroxides: Four Hybrid Uranyl-Peroxide Structures Containing EDTA

The first four uranyl peroxide compounds containing ethylenediaminetetra-acetate (EDTA) were synthesized and characterized from aqueous uranyl peroxide nitrate solutions with a pH range of 5–7. Raman spectra demonstrated that reaction solutions that crystallized [NaK15[(UO2)8(O2)8(C10H12O10N2)2(C2O4)4]·(H2O)14] (1) and [Li4K6[(UO2)8(O2)6(C10H12O10N2)2(NO3)6]·(H2O)26] (2) contained excess peroxide, and their structures contained oxidized ethylenediaminetetraacetate, EDTAO24–. The solutions from which [K4[(UO2)4(O2)2(C10H13O8N2)2(IO3)2]·(H2O)16] (3) and LiK3[(UO2)4(O2)2(C10H12O8N2)2(H2O)2]·(H2O)18 (4) crystallized contained no free peroxide, and the structures incorporated intact EDTA4–. In contrast to the large family of uranyl peroxide cage clusters, coordination of uranyl peroxide units in 1–4 by EDTA4– or EDTAO24– results in isolated tetramers or dimers of uranyl ions that are bridged by bidentate peroxide groups. Two tetramers are bridged by EDTAO24– to form octamers in 1 and 2, and dimers of uranyl po...
Stabilizing the CH2 Domain of an Antibody by Engineering in an Enhanced Aromatic Sequon

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) exhibiting highly selective binding to a protein target constitute a large and growing proportion of the therapeutics market. Aggregation of mAbs results in the loss of their therapeutic efficacy and can result in deleterious immune responses. The CH2 domain comprising part of the Fc portion of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is typically the least stable domain in IgG-type antibodies and therefore influences their aggregation propensity. We stabilized the CH2 domain by engineering an enhanced aromatic sequon (EAS) into the N-glycosylated C′E loop and observed a 4.8 °C increase in the melting temperature of the purified IgG1 Fc fragment. This EAS-stabilized CH2 domain also conferred enhanced stability against thermal and low pH induced aggregation in the context of a full-length monoclonal IgG1 antibody. The crystal structure of the EAS-stabilized (Q295F/Y296A) IgG1 Fc fragment confirms the design principle, i.e., the importance of the GlcNAc1•F295 interaction, and surprisingly reveals...
Interface design: an embedded process for human computer interactivity

INTRODUCTION This chapter will address the issues of interface design and incorporation of human behavior factors into the design process. The traditional process engineering approach to software development embeds interface design as a task component. However, the interface design process has grown as a discipline and is beyond the single process within a larger scheme that may be lost on the priority list. The functionality and specifications for software developers tend to focus on the project and less on the product. In addition, bridging the gap of the design process to include global elements of the software is an issue for products that are internationally distributed. It is something that the computer industry must address and has been historically unsuccessful at doing. Incorporating human interactivity and screen design requires an understanding of the user and their behavior that is not part of the traditional tasks of most designers and programmers. This chapter presents the importance of human interactivity and interface design as an embedded process. There are major strides towards interface design in the software process. The many approaches and theories guide the practitioner down a path that is normally practiced by graphic designers, artists, writers, psychologists, or marketing personnel. In many cases, the traditional software developer wears many hats plunging into a world of creativity and human behavior. These disciplines are not a natural path for developers who may began their career being computer savvy joining the ranks of the computer experts. Their successes have moved them up the ranks of the industry to lead many projects deemed for global markets. Initially, many human factors did not play a major role in user interface design. Many of the interactive systems were products of manager decisions or it was implied for the product. Individuals involved in human behavior factors were brought into the projects in the middle or later in the project until they were no longer needed (Hix and Hartsen, 1993). Traditionally, designers have aimed at developing software products that meet the functional requirements of the application domain. We are moving into the direction of incorporating the behavioral domain of the user interaction developer that is responsible for class definitions, interaction design, and human factors engineering (Hix and Hartsen,
Insights into Therapeutic Mechanisms: Measuring Immature Platelet Fraction (IPF) Describes Response to Treatment in Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP).

ITP is characterized by accelerated platelet destruction and also decreased platelet production. The inability to reliably quantify both platelet antibodies and platelet turnover has made it difficult to assess mechanisms of therapeutic effect with certainty. Two widely used therapies, IVIG and IV anti-D, are believed to primarily increase platelets by blocking Fcγ mediated platelet destruction; a similar effect in the marrow may also alter platelet production. Treatments for ITP are expanding as two thrombopoeitic agents (AMG 531 and Eltrombopag) complete phase 3 trials and a specific FcγRIII blocking agent (GMA161) is in phase I. One measure of thrombopoiesis is to use RNA-binding fluorochromes to identify RNA present in newly made, ‘reticulated’ platelets using flow cytometers. The Sysmex XE-2100 enables rapid and fully automated quantification of the absolute immature platelet fraction (IPF), equivalent to enumerating reticulated platelets. This study uses the IPF to assess acute response to treatment in 16 patients with ITP, providing insight into mechanisms of effect (table 1). In 4/6 patients treated with IVIG (example fig. 1), 4/4 patients treated with anti-D, and 2/2 GMA-treated patients, the IPF did not change appreciably while the platelet counts dramatically increased, substantiating the Fc inhibition mechanism of effect. In 3 patients with large platelet increases (120–209K) in response to IVIG or IVIG plus anti-D, the IPF also substantially increased, demonstrating that IVIG +/− anti-D may increase platelet production in certain cases. All had low pre-treatment IPF and platelet counts, suggesting antibody-mediated inhibition of platelet production. The two patients on the Eltrombopag/placebo blind RCT (example fig. 2) had 2 of the 3 largest increases in IPF, 23.5 and 59 × 10^3/uL. Using IPF to estimate platelet production provides novel insight into pathophysiology and mechanisms of effect of treatments in ITP. The dramatic increase in the absolute IPF seen with the thrombopoietic agent helps validate the clinical utility of this tool and allows discrimination of ITP patient heterogeneity.
Rewriting Biraciality and War in Kien Nguyen's The Unwanted

Although biculturality has been well documented in Vietnamese American fiction, Kien Nguyen’s The Unwanted: A Memoir is the first autobiography to document the biracial experience of growing up Amerasian under communist rule in post-1975 Vietnam. Neither victim nor perpetrator in a war practically erased from the pages of The Unwanted , Kien depicts his biraciality as a struggle to separate the personal from the political. His status as a biracial individual remains tied to an intrapersonal war between the ambivalent figure of his south Vietnamese mother and her parasitic boyfriend. Although set in the aftermath of violent armed conflict between North Vietnam and the United States, Nguyen’s memoir casts the south Vietnamese as the deviant ones who perpetuate intrafamilial violence and xenophobia. Drawing upon the burgeoning field of trauma studies, this article argues how it is only by leaving Vietnam and narrating the trauma of his racialized body that Kien is able to end his struggle for self-determination and reclaim a sense of agency.
THE COLONIAL FOUNDATIONS OF MALAYSIA'S TERRORIST REHABILITATION PROGRAM

Malaysia's Terrorist Rehabilitation and Disengagement programs have shown positive results in detainee responses. Disengagement and de-radicalization are necessary elements in Malaysia's successful and comprehensive counter-terrorism strategies and policies. Malaysia's Terrorist Rehabilitation program employs academics, psychologists, policy makers, police, intelligence personnel, and religious leaders who have continually shaped this successful security program and anchored its' underlying disengagement security philosophy. The Malaysian Rehabilitation program's security philosophy and strategic framework have a unique history traced to the Malayan Emergency.
Factors That Distinguish High-Performing Accountable Care Organizations in the Medicare Shared Savings Program.

Objective To identify factors that promote the effective performance of accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the Medicare Shared Savings Program. Data Sources/Study Setting Data come from a convenience sample of 16 Medicare Shared Savings ACOs that were organized around large physician groups. We use claims data from the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services and data from 60 interviews at three high-performing and three low-performing ACOs. Study Design Explanatory sequential design, using qualitative data to account for patterns observed in quantitative assessment of ACO performance. Data Collection Methods A total of 16 ACOs were first rank-ordered on measures of cost and quality of care; we then selected three high and three low performers for site visits; interview data were content-analyzed. Principal Findings Results identify several factors that distinguish high- from low-performing ACOs: (1) collaboration with hospitals; (2) effective physician group practice prior to ACO engagement; (3) trusted, long-standing physician leaders focused on improving performance; (4) sophisticated use of information systems; (5) effective feedback to physicians; and (6) embedded care coordinators. Conclusions Shorter interventions can improve ACO performance—use of embedded care coordinators and local, regional health information systems; timely feedback of performance data. However, longer term interventions are needed to promote physician–hospital collaboration and skills of physician leaders. CMS and other stakeholders need realistic timelines for ACO performance.
Intentions to reenter venture creation: The effect of entrepreneurial experience and organizational climate:

We identify and examine an important but overlooked group of entrepreneurs – individuals who have started one or more business ventures in the past but are currently employed in established organiz...
A model to predict ripening capacity of ‘Bartlett’ pears (Pyrus communis L.) based on relative expression of genes associated with the ethylene pathway

Abstract Resistance to ripening in European pears depends on various preharvest and postharvest factors. Exposure to cold temperatures has been demonstrated to condition pears to produce endogenous ethylene and ripen. Mature green ‘Bartlett’ pears were exposed to 0, 5, or 10 °C for 2–14 d to induce different rates of ripening. At higher temperatures, expression of ethylene biosynthesis genes (ACS1a and ACO) and ethylene receptor genes (ETR2, ERS1a, and ETR1a) increased, while CTR1 expression decreased. Multiple linear regressions between relative expression of these genes after 0 d and fruit firmness after 6 d during ripening at 20 °C were conducted. Using K-fold cross validation and conventional validation, it appears that expression of ACO could be utilized as an early predictor of pear ripening capacity.
Analysis of Cell Death by Flow Cytometry

Apoptosis and necrosis denote two distinct modes of cell death. The distinction is based on differences in morphological, biochemical and molecular changes that occur within the dying cell (reviews, Arends et al 1990; Compton et al 1992, Wyllie, 1985, 1992, Wyllie et al 1980). Apoptosis, often called cell suicide or programmed cell death is a particular mode of death in which the affected cell, by activating a characteristic cascade of biochemical events which ultimately lead to its total physical disintegration, actively carries on the program of its demise. The early event of apoptosis is cell dehydration. Loss of intracellular water results in a change of cell shape and size: the originally round cells become elongated or convoluted in shape and diminished in size. Another characteristic change during apoptosis is chromatin condensation. The condensation starts at the nuclear periphery and is followed by nuclear fragmentation. A very distinct hyperchromicity and homogeneity characterizes the stainability of DNA in the condensed chromatin of apoptotic cells. At later stages of apoptosis, the nuclear fragments, together with the constituents of the cytoplasm (including intact organelles), are packaged into so called apoptotic bodies which detach from the dying cell. When apoptosis occurs in vivo the apoptotic bodies are phagocytized by neighboring cells (which may not necessarily be macrophages), without invoking an inflammatory response in the tissue.
Crystallization and Data Collection

In electron crystallography, preparation of suitably thin, oriented crystalline samples is vital to the success of an ab initio structure analysis. In certain cases, special measures must be taken to protect the crystals from the ultrahigh vacuum of the electron microscope column, else they will not remain ordered. It might also be desirable to carry out dynamic experiments (e.g., heating/cooling) on these samples while preserving their chemical integrity. These requirements dictate the type of preparative procedures that must be followed and, sometimes, call for special attachments to the electron microscope.
Feasible trajectories of linear dynamic systems with inequality constraints using higher-order representations

Abstract This paper proposes a method to determine trajectories of dynamic systems that steer between two end points while satisfying linear inequality constraints arising from limits on states and inputs. The method exploits the structure of the dynamic system to eliminate the state equations. The linear inequalities on inputs and states are replaced by a finite set of linear inequalities on the mode coefficients and changing the problem of trajectory generation to finding a convex polytope on the mode coefficients. The procedure is demonstrated in an example and verified experimentally.
Genotyping of the Valencia peanut core collection with a molecular marker associated with Sclerotinia blight resistance.

ABSTRACT Cultivated peanut, the second most economically important legume crop throughout the United States and the third most important oilseed in the world, is consistently threatened by various diseases and pests. Sclerotinia blight, (causal agents Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (S. sclerotiorum) and Sclerotinia minor Jagger (S. minor))is a major threat to peanut production in the Southwestern U.S., Virginia, and North Carolina and can reduce yield by up to 50% in severely infested fields. S. sclerotiorum has now been reported in areas of eastern New Mexico and west Texas where all U.S. grown Valencia peanuts are produced, commonly in organic cropping environments. Host plant resistance provides the most effective solution to managing Sclerotinia blight, especially in organic systems where pesticide use is not an option for disease control. To date, no Valencia cultivars with Sclerotinia blight resistance have been released. In this study, the Valencia peanut core germplasm collection was genotyped with a Si...