cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dementia Following Stroke

Strokes can be due to ischemic or hemorrhagic vascular disorders. Ischemic strokes outnumber hemorrhagic strokes approximately 4:1. Although the mode of presentation and pathophysiology are different in the two conditions, the outcome is really dependent on the extent and location of brain injury. A CT scan helps in this regard and reveals surgically correctable lesions such as a subdural hematoma or normal pressure hydrocephalus. Effective rehabilitation of the stroke patient is dependent on motivation and cognitive ability even more than on remaining motor or sensory function. A team approach to assessment provides the opportunity to make an accurate appraisal of a patient's current level of functioning and an estimate of premorbid capabilities. A thorough review of the history, complete neurologic examination, mental status testing, and laboratory and radiographic data should be obtained by the treating physician. Neuropsychologic testing, speech and language evaluation, ADL assessment, nursing observations, and psychiatric consultation round off the attempts to fully learn the limitations and strengths that characterize the patient. The value in assessing cognitive abilities after a stroke should be obvious. Not only is motivation necessary, but the patient must comprehend the purpose of the rehabilitation process. Goal-setting is a combined effort of the patient and the rehabilitation team. If a patient has limited understanding and faulty memory, the efforts may be wasted. The presence of acute confusion or delirium may delay rehabilitation efforts, but the etiology may be readily treatable. When there is strong suspicion of a degenerative dementia such as Alzheimer's disease, the expectations are lowered. Occasionally, the problem is a mixed dementia in which instance the prognosis is poor. When there is evidence for multi-infarct dementia, there is a possibility for cognitive improvement when medical problems such as hypertension and embolization are treated. Much can be done for one who has limited and focal cerebral damage provided there is adequate comprehension and ability to compensate for disability.
Using Student Performance to Assess CS Unplugged Activities in a Classroom Environment

Computer Science Unplugged activities have been shown to be successful in increasing student interest in computer science when used in outreach and after school events. There is less research available on adapting these extra-curricular activities for use in a classroom setting, where there are more students and the activities must support educational goals, not just changes in attitude. We describe our work in updating several existing CS Unplugged activities as well as introducing some new activities for use in an American middle school classroom. One challenge when using CS Unplugged activities is to determine what, if anything, students are learning. In this paper we detail one approach that links the updated activities to computational thinking skills, then incorporates worksheets where students illustrate their understanding.
Depth versus breadth in video rental kiosks

ABSTRACTWe examine data from video rental kiosks for clues about how changes in the video rental industry have altered competition. Traditional video stores competed in availability, with consumer search costs determining the optimal probability of stock-outs. We find evidence that Redbox, the only major renter of physical discs in today’s market, competes in either availability (depth) or variety (breadth) depending on the mix of moratorium versus day-and-date titles released each week. Moratorium titles are those for which Redbox has agreed to wait a month or more beyond the street release date before adding them to kiosks, whereas day-and-date titles can be added to kiosks as soon as they are released on DVD. When there are relatively more day-and-date titles, Redbox competes against on-demand services by focusing on providing depth of hit movies at a much lower cost. As the mix of releases turns towards more moratorium releases, Redbox can no longer win over customers willing to pay the higher cost of...
Heidegger's Realism

Let us therefore know our limit. We are something, and we are not everything. Pascal My reading of fundamental ontology is a Kantian reading inasmuch as it recognizes the analogy Heidegger clearly had in mind between the existential analytic of Dasein in Being and Time and the transcendental analytic of the understanding in the Critique of Pure Reason . But whereas Kant offers a subjectivist and intellectualist account of the conditions of conceptually articulated knowledge, Heidegger is concerned more broadly with the practical and mundane conditions of interpretation, or explicit practical understanding. Kant and Heidegger are both interested in the transcendental conditions of the intelligibility of entities to finite human understanding. Yet notwithstanding the formal analogy between their respective projects, Heidegger's fundamental ontology is not just a pragmatic reiteration of the Kantian critique of the mind and its cognitive faculties. For the kind of conceptual knowledge that Kant considered definitive of human understanding, whether overtly expressed in the form of assertions or silently cognized in the form of judgments, is just one instance of a more general phenomenon, namely, interpretation, that is, understanding or knowing how to cope with something explicitly as something. The analytic of Dasein can plausibly claim priority not just to epistemology, then, but to all philosophies of mind that forgo any phenomenological account of the ways in which intentionality or mental content itself becomes intelligible to us to begin with.
Notes on a Collection of Snakes from the Middle Juba Region, Somalia

The present work reports on a collection of snakes from near Mareri, Middle Juba Region, Somalia. Of the 39 species found, five are new to the Somali herpetofauna, these are: Typhlops lineolatus li...
A Case of Complete Abscopal Response in High-Grade Pleiomorphic Sarcoma Treated with Radiotherapy Alone.

BACKGROUND "Abscopal response" refers to the spontaneous involution of untreated metastatic disease following local primary tumor-directed therapy. We report a case of an abscopal response of untreated lung metastasis in a man with pleomorphic sarcoma of the head and neck treated with hypofractionated radiotherapy. METHODS An inoperable pleomorphic sarcoma of the postauricular soft tissue was treated with 40 Gy of radiation in eight fractions. Untreated disease in the lungs was followed with CT scans. RESULTS At the two-month post-treatment follow-up, clinical exam and restaging CT demonstrated complete primary tumor involution. Additionally, CT chest images showed a dramatic disease response in the untreated pulmonary disease, which progressed to complete and persistent clinical response at one-year post-treatment follow-up. CONCLUSIONS We report the first described case of a complete abscopal resolution of untreated lung metastases in a patient with a primary pleomorphic sarcoma of the head and neck treated with hypofractionated radiotherapy.
In silico Tissue-Based Expression Analysis of YY1 and Cancer Stem Cell (CSC) Transcription Factors in Hematological Malignancies: Unraveling New Therapeutic Targets

Introduction: Yin Yang 1 (YY1) is a transcription factor, (a 44 kDa protein), ubiquitously expressed in many tissues and cancers. YY1 exerts multiple functions, including transcriptional regulation of many genes involved in cell proliferation, chromatin remodeling, drug and immune resistance, and metastasis [1].Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of cancer cells that drive tumorigenesis and metastasis and are considered to be resistant to cytotoxic therapies; they are pluripotent and capable of self-renewal. Objective: To determine if YY1 is a transcription factor that regulates CSCs. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that YY1 may be overexpressed in CSCs, and its expression may be coordinated with the expression of CSC transcription factors. The overexpressions and activities of SOX2, OCT4 (POU5F1), BMI1 and NANOG are characteristics of the CSC phenotype in many cancers. Methods: The above hypothesis was tested by comparing the expression patterns of the four CSC markers and YY1 in hematological malignancies. The data were collected from the Human Protein Atlas proteomics database, and only high and medium expressions were considered positive. Results: From the data that were collected, the overall percentage of positively stained cells was determined. Our preliminary findings demonstrated that there was a strong correlation between the expression patterns of YY1 and BMI1, some correlation between YY1, OCT4 and SOX2, and no correlation between YY1 and NANOG, which was usually underexpressed. The interactomes of OCT4 and SOX2 are important parts of the regulatory network of hESCs. Further, multiple DNA binding proteins, including YY1, are enriched in both interactomes [2]. Conclusion: The findings suggest strongly that CSCs may overexpress YY1 in coordination with the overexpressions of SOX2, BMI1, and OCT4. They further suggest that YY1 may constitute a CSC biomarker, and they revealed potential therapeutic targets. [1] Critical Reviews™ in Oncogenesis Volume 16, 2011 [2] Gao F et al., Sci Report 3:1588,2013. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Genetic status of KRAS modulates the role of Neuropilin-1 in tumorigenesis

Neuropilin-1 (NRP1), a non-tyrosine kinase receptor, is overexpressed in many cancers including pancreatic and lung cancers. Inhibition of NRP1 expression, however, has differing pro-tumor vs. anti-tumor effects, depending on the cancer types. To understand the differential role of NRP1 in tumorigenesis process, we utilized cells from two different cancer types, pancreatic and lung, each containing either wild type KRAS (KRAS wt) or mutant KRAS (KRAS mt). Inhibition of NRP1 expression by shRNA in both pancreatic and lung cancer cells containing dominant active KRAS mt caused increased cell viability and tumor growth. On the contrary, inhibition of NRP1, in the tumor cells containing KRAS wt showed decreased tumor growth. Importantly, concurrent inhibition of KRAS mt and NRP1 in the tumor cells reverses the increased viability and leads to tumor inhibition. We found that NRP1 shRNA expressing KRAS mt tumor cells caused increased cell viability by decreasing SMAD2 phosphorylation. Our findings demonstrate that the effects of NRP1 knockdown in cancer cells are dependent on the genetic status of KRAS.
A Biodegradable Vascular Coupling Device for End-to-End Anastomosis

When performing microsurgeries, the procedure of vascular anastomosis is frequently performed. When executing this procedure, the most widely used method is hand suturing the vessels back together. This process, however, is extremely time consuming (depending on the size and location of the vessel and the experience of the surgeon) and is subject to human error. The vascular coupling device and its accompanying installation tools in this work have been designed and tested to reduce human error and significantly decrease the amount of time required to perform the anastomosis. Tests that were performed on a revised biodegradable vascular coupling device include the time required to complete the anastomosis, a pressure leak test (both open-end and sealed-end), and a tensile test. The coupler was also installed on the carotid arteries of 2 living and 2 cadaver swine. The coupling device was installed in an average of 7 min and 34 s (n = 3), had significantly less leakage than hand sutured anastomoses, and was able to withstand an average tensile force of 8.65 ± 2.55 N (n = 5) before failure.
Joy is a distinct positive emotion: Assessment of joy and relationship to gratitude and well-being

In three studies we investigated joy and its relationship to subjective well-being (SWB). We developed measures of joy based on recent conceptualizations of joy in the humanities and social science...
Particle Production and Collectivity in High Multiplicity pp and pPb at the LHC

Recent unexpected evidence for collectivity in high multiplicity pp and pPb collisions at LHC energies has challenged the notion that such small systems do not exhibit any of the properties that have been used to study the quark gluon plasma in heavy ion collisions. An overview of recent results concerning particle production and collectivity in such collisions using the CMS detector at the LHC is presented.
New Elements for Introducing Symmetry in the Middle East Peace Process

This issue contains an examination of Palestinian-Israeli negotiations with an effort to break through the deadlock strategically. It analyzes the past record of failure and addresses the basic problem of asymmetry. Despite the solutions that have been advanced for all the specific issues, it is the forward-looking matter of trust that is the impediment to productive negotiations. The declaration of a Palestinian state and its recognition by the international community are now the basic elements necessary to break the asymmetry of the parties. A second element – allegedly favored by the Trump administration – is to reduce a symmetry by enlarging the playing field to include surrounding states, as proposed in the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.
Arrhythmia Evaluation and Management in the Surgical ICU

Cardiac dysrhythmia is a frequent complication in critically ill surgical patients and presents intensive care clinicians with the dual challenges of rapid accurate diagnosis and rapid lifesaving intervention. This chapter will review the origins and risk factors for rhythm disturbances and provide the framework for rapid effective treatment.
Impact of Biochemical Failure After Salvage Radiation Therapy on Prostate Cancer–specific Mortality: Competition Between Age and Time to Biochemical Failure

Abstract Background Disease progression following salvage radiotherapy (SRT) for prostate cancer (PC) is common, and the time to biochemical recurrence (BCR) is heterogeneous. Objective To describe the temporal distribution and clinical impact of BCR following SRT and model outcomes using patient age and time to BCR from SRT. Design, setting, and participants A retrospective multi-institutional study included 547 consecutive men with lymph node–negative PC receiving SRT from 1985 to 2013. The median follow-up after SRT was 8.4 yr. Intervention All men received SRT with three-dimensional or intensity-modulated RT. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis BCR was defined as a rise in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ≥0.2 ng/ml above the PSA nadir followed by a sequentially equal or higher value. Additional outcomes included distant metastasis (DM), PC-specific mortality (PCSM), and overall mortality (OM). Cox proportional hazards models, a landmark analysis, and comparison of c-indices were used. Cumulative incidence curves were estimated from a Fine and Gray regression model. Results and limitations The estimated 10-yr cumulative incidence of BCR was 60%. Of the 274 men experiencing BCR, 149 (54%) had BCR within 18 mo of SRT. BCR ≤18 mo after SRT was associated with a higher risk of DM (hazard ratio [HR] 7.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.91–11.3; p Conclusions A strikingly large proportion of men experience early BCR following SRT and are at higher risk of DM and PCSM. Novel predictive biomarkers are needed to identify men harboring micrometastatic disease to avoid potentially futile local therapies or allow for intensification of systemic therapies. Patient summary Many men will develop biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer after salvage radiotherapy. Men with biochemical recurrence within 18 mo of salvage radiotherapy constitute a cohort at higher risk of distant metastasis and prostate cancer–specific mortality.
Exploitation of acid-tolerant microbial species for the utilization of low-cost whey in the production of acetic acid and propylene glycol.

Whey from cheese and yoghurt production operations contains useful constituents such as whey protein and lactose. However, the separation and extraction processes are difficult and costly, and hence, whey has limited end user demand and is typically disposed of as waste. Treatment and disposal of these high BOD wastes are both energy intensive and expensive. However, improper disposal of these wastes can pollute surface and ground water resources. The use of these low or negative cost substrates for the production of value-added products such as acetic acid and propylene glycol (PG) is of great significance in changing overhead costs to revenue streams. The present study focuses on bioproduction of acetic acid and PG from whey lactose and whey powder containing lactose and protein as an alternative to high cost nutritive medium. It was found that Lactobacillus buchneri, an acid-tolerant bacterium, is able to ferment lactose at pH ~ 4.2 to low molecular weight compounds such as acetic acid and PG each at 25–30 g L−1 concentration when using lactose as a major carbon substrate. The typical molar ratio of acetic acid to PG was close to 1:1 at the end of fermentation. The productivity of acetic acid and PG was improved using a high cell density fermentation with cotton cheesecloth as an immobilization matrix. The use of whey powder with immobilized fermentation system showed a similar performance to that of cultures fed with pure lactose at pH 4.2, resulting in a 57% conversion of lactose in whey to acetate and PG in total, against a stoichiometric maximum of 72%.
The development of circadian rhythms in a human infant.

The development of circadian rhythms in a human infant Study Objectives-This study examines the ontogeny and interaction of circadian rhythms of sleep, wake, temperature, melatonin, and feeding in the human newbom, and the influence of photic and non-photic factors on the initiation of entrainment. Design-An infant's sleep-wake state, temperature, and salivary melatonin were monitored from birth to 6 months. Temperature was obtained every hour, and the infant's sleep/eating onset/termination were observed continuously and recorded until day 182. Salivary melatonin was obtained weekly for a 24-hour period, starting at week 3. Setting-The infant slept in his parents' bedroom. All household members awakened, retired, and ate meals according to a fixed schedule during the study, while the infant ate, slept, and woke on demand. Participants-A healthy male infant was the subject. Biological parents gathered data continuously for six months. Interventions-The infant's schedule was on-demand; the household's was fixed. Illumination was restricted to sunlight. Measurements and Results-The circadian rhythm of temperature appeared first, soon after birth, and became statistically significant within one week. The wake circadian rhythm appeared second, attaining significance at day 45; approximately the same time that increased melatonin concentration began to occur at sunset. The sleep circadian rhythm appeared last, attaining significance after day 56. Ninety to 120 minute zones of sustained wakefulness first appeared in the second month of life subsequent to awakening and prior to sleep onset. The infant's noctumal sleep-onset was coupled to sunset before day 60 and subsequently to family bedtime, giving evidence of initial photic entrainment followed by social entrainment. Conclusions-Circadian rhythms appeared much more rapidly in this infant than previously reported; their rapid appearance was probably facilitated by maximal exposure to sunlight, and regular social cues. These lighting conditions replicate universal infant experience prior to the invention of artificial light.
THE METAL-NONMETAL TRANSITION AND PHASE SEPARATION†

Solutions of metals in liquid ammonia show great promise as model systems for investigation of the nonmetal-metal transition. In particular the hypothesis of a discontinuous disappearance of activation energy for electron transport would appear susceptible to experimental verification. Existing data on thermal, electric and acoustic properties of M-NH3 do indeed suggest such a transition but the data are not discrete enough to afford exact analysis. Theory suggests that, although a thermodynamic phase transition does not necessarily accompany the insulator metal change, conditions for such are highly favourable. Thus, the liquid-liquid phase separation observed for M-NH3 systems is a direct manifestation of electronic constitution change. Because of its possible fundamental significance, the precise shape of the phase coexistence curve has been carefully reinvestigated by DTA and electrical resistivity measurements. The confirmation of a parabolic dependence even within 0.1 deg. C of critical mixing suggests the existence of interaction micro clusters embracing at least 1000 centres. The difficult problem of incorporating micro cluster formation in the theory of specific properties remains to be solved.
Some Aspects of the Chemistry of Ionic Organo-Alkali Metal Halide Clusters Formed by Desorption Ionization

Although fast-atom bombardment (FAB) ionization has proven to be a versatile and sensitive ionization method for many biological compounds, the FAB-MS spectra are frequently complicated by the presence of impurities and/or adduct ions of the sample and liquid matrix. For these reasons several workers have proposed the use of tandem mass spectrometry (TMS) in combination with FAB ionization for structural characterization of large molecules [1,2]. During the development of mass spectrometry, several methods for enhancing specific dissociation reactions have been proposed [3,4,5]. In this paper a potentially useful and simple method is described for enhancing the structural information obtained by FAB-TMS. The method relies upon the comparison of the FAB-TMS spectra of [M+H]+ ions and organo-alkali metal ions of the form [M+A]+ or [M+xA(x−1)H]+, where A is the alkali metal and x = 1−3.
Participant Perspectives of Cognitive Rehabilitation for Type 2 Diabetes: Expectations and Impact.

Purpose. To describe the experiences of people with type 2 diabetes who have completed a comprehensive cognitive rehabilitation intervention. Method. Nineteen participants with type 2 diabetes enrolled in an 8-week intervention consisting of 4 educational classes to learn strategies to improve cognitive function and an online training program at home to practice cognitively stimulating activities. Two focus groups were conducted as part of a study designed to assess the feasibility of the comprehensive cognitive rehabilitation intervention. Results. Three main themes were identified in the qualitative data: (1) expectations of cognitive change; (2) use of cognitive strategies; and (3) effect on diabetes self-management. Participants shared valuable insight into how their experiences with the intervention changed and how they viewed diabetes. Conclusions. While the participants did not initially tie their cognitive complaints to diabetes, they were able to show how and why they might use cognitive strategies to improve diabetes self-management activities. By adapting those strategies for diabetes, quality of life can improve as well as potentially glycemic control.
Happiness and meaning in life: Unique, differential, and indirect associations with mental health

Researchers broadly recognize happiness and meaning in life as key indicators of hedonic and eudaimonic well-being respectively. Although happiness and meaning in life are life pursuits among many ...
Geometric determination of ionospheric total electron content from dual frequency radar sounding measurements

Abstract Orbital radar sounding measurements are used to characterize the ionosphere by correcting for signal dispersion effects (de-focusing and delay) experienced as the radar wave propagates through it. For Mars, this is typically achieved either by 1) autofocusing surface echoes to maximize their strength or sharpness, or 2) comparing relative time delays to the surface at either cross-over points or with simulated radargrams. Here, a novel and robust geometric approach is proposed that is primarily applicable to Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-surface (REASON) sounding measurements as, due to the design of the REASON and the nature of Europa’s ionosphere, typical Martian radiometric approaches may not be suitable. However, the methodology can be adapted to an arbitrary set of dual-frequency radar sounding measurements. The geometric approach leverages the dual-frequency nature of REASON and the time delay between the ionosphere-delayed 9 MHz High Frequency (HF) surface echoes and the simultaneously-recorded but differentially dispersed 60 MHz Very High Frequency (VHF) surface echoes. That time delay is then used to estimate the ionospheric total electron content (TEC). The robustness of the proposed methodology is demonstrated through testing with Martian sounding measurements. The geometric results reproduce the expected decrease in TEC in the Martian ionosphere as a function of increasing solar zenith angle (SZA), exhibit a consistent agreement between the two test regions, and quantitatively correlate with published radiometric TEC estimates. Testing provides key insights into the underlying assumptions and idiosyncrasies of the methodology and how it could best be applied with REASON datasets to characterize and search for anomalies (e.g. plumes) within the ionosphere of Europa.
Characteristics of Opioid Prescriptions by Mohs Surgeons in the Medicare Population.

Background Prescription opioid use often precedes opioid misuse, abuse, and addiction. Objective To characterize the national opioid prescription practices of Mohs surgeons, with general dermatologists serving as a comparison group. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study using Medicare prescription data to analyze opioid prescription characteristics. Results In 2014, 2,190 Mohs surgeons prescribed a total of 86,526 opioids, whereas 10,347 non-Mohs dermatologists prescribed 45,033 opioids. Among Mohs surgeons, 51.8% prescribed more than 10 opioids, whereas 93.3% of non-Mohs dermatologists prescribed 0 to 10. The estimated opioid prescription rates for Mohs surgeons and non-Mohs dermatologists were 5.9% and 0.7%, respectively. Among those prescribing at least 10 opioid claims, the mean number of opioids supplied and mean opioid prescription rate was 72.4 and 13.5, respectively, for Mohs surgeons versus 32.5 and 5.1 , respectively, for non-Mohs dermatologists. The mean days' supply of opioids was 3.9 for Mohs surgeons versus 7.9 for non-Mohs dermatologists. There was a minimal-to-moderate association between the number of procedures performed and the number of opioids prescribed. Men and Mohs surgeons located in southern states tend to prescribe a greater number of opioids. Conclusion Mohs surgeons prescribed short courses of opioids and less than both the national average and providers that care for patients in pain.
Training to reduce LGBTQ-related bias among medical, nursing, and dental students and providers: a systematic review

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals experience higher rates of health disparities. These disparities may be driven, in part, by biases of medical providers encountered in health care settings. Little is known about how medical, nursing, or dental students are trained to identify and reduce the effects of their own biases toward LGBTQ individuals. Therefore, a systematic review was conducted to determine the effectiveness of programs to reduce health care student or provider bias towards these LGBTQ patients. The authors performed searches of online databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, Ingenta, Science Direct, and Google Scholar) for original articles, published in English, between March 2005 and February 2017, describing intervention studies focused on reducing health care student or provider bias towards LGBTQ individuals. Data extracted included sample characteristics (i.e., medical, nursing, or dental students or providers), study design (i.e., pre-post intervention tests, qualitative), program format, program target (i.e., knowledge, comfort level, attitudes, implicit bias), and relevant outcomes. Study quality was assessed using a five-point scale. The search identified 639 abstracts addressing bias among medical, nursing, and dental students or providers; from these abstracts, 60 articles were identified as medical education programs to reduce bias; of these articles, 13 described programs to reduce bias towards LGBTQ patients. Bias-focused educational interventions were effective at increasing knowledge of LGBTQ health care issues. Experiential learning interventions were effective at increasing comfort levels working with LGBTQ patients. Intergroup contact was effective at promoting more tolerant attitudes toward LGBTQ patients. Despite promising support for bias education in increasing knowledge and comfort levels among medical, nursing, and dental students or providers towards LGBTQ persons, this systematic review did not identify any interventions that assessed changes in implicit bias among students or providers. Strategies for assessing and mitigating implicit bias towards LGBTQ patients are discussed and recommendations for medical, nursing, and dental school curricula are presented.
From Storehouse to Laboratory: Trends and Ideals in Academic Librarianship Reflected in C&RL, 1946–1968

Dee Garrison’s classic history of American public libraries, Apostles of Culture , vividly describes the idealism that drove and shaped the work of American public libraries through the turn of the 20th century. The book seems to lead naturally to questions of what ideals have shaped American libraries in more recent periods. Specifically, as an academic librarian, I have long wondered what happened to our profession’s ideals in the midst of the social and political transformations that followed World War II.
Development of a Quantitative Immunoassay for Tear Lacritin Proteoforms.

Purpose Lacritin is a tear glycoprotein with pro-tearing and pro-ocular surface homeostasis activities that is selectively deficient in most dry eye tears. Proteoforms include an active monomer, inactive polymers, and a splice variant termed lacritin-c. Quantitation of the different proteoforms of tear lacritin may provide a diagnostic tool for ocular diseases. Here, we report the development of an immunoassay for the quantification of multiple lacritin proteoforms in human tear samples. Methods Basal tears collected on Schirmer test strips with anesthesia were eluted by diffusion and centrifugation under optimized conditions. Tear protein concentrations were determined, and 2.56 µg of each sample was separated by SDS-PAGE followed by western blot analysis. Blots were challenged with anti-Pep Lac N-term antibodies. Detection was with fluorescent secondary antibodies visualized by the LI-COR Odyssey CLx imaging system and quantified with standard curves of recombinant lacritin. Results The percent total lacritin (ng lacritin/100 ng total protein) ranged from 1.8% to 14.8%. Monomer, lacritin-c, and polymer proteoform percent total protein ranged from 1.1% to 6.3%, 0.3% to 5.4%, and 0.7% to 5.7%, respectively. Monomer lacritin was detected at concentrations of 6 to 176 µM, with lacritin-c and polymer proteoforms at 2 to 46 µM and 1 to 23 µM, respectively. Conclusions This assay greatly exceeds the power and sensitivity of our prior lacritin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that was not capable of distinguishing monomer from polymers and lacritin-c proteoforms. Translational relevance A new method has been developed to quantitate multiple proteoforms of tear lacritin in preparation for analyses of samples from clinical trials.
Natural temporal difference learning

In this paper we investigate the application of natural gradient descent to Bellman error based reinforcement learning algorithms. This combination is interesting because natural gradient descent is invariant to the parameterization of the value function. This invariance property means that natural gradient descent adapts its update directions to correct for poorly conditioned representations. We present and analyze quadratic and linear time natural temporal difference learning algorithms, and prove that they are covariant. We conclude with experiments which suggest that the natural algorithms can match or outperform their non-natural counterparts using linear function approximation, and drastically improve upon their non-natural counterparts when using non-linear function approximation.
Acute exacerbation of hepatitis B with hepatic failure during the first trimester of pregnancy: Delivery of a healthy term baby after liver transplantation.

The severe form of acute exacerbation of hepatitis B during pregnancy is a rare but life-threatening condition for both the mother and the fetus. A 32-year-old pregnant woman at 10 weeks of gestation was diagnosed with acute decompensated liver failure due to acute exacerbation of hepatitis B. The Model for End-stage Liver Disease score was up to 37. The patient was managed carefully with antiviral treatment, fluid resuscitation, correction of coagulopathy, close monitoring of hepatic function, and regular assessment of the fetus. She was transplanted with a deceased liver at 14 weeks and 1 day of gestation. With careful post-transplant care and avoidance of medication with risk of miscarriage and teratogenicity, a healthy baby was delivered at 39 weeks and 1 day of gestation. Herein, we report this critical condition of pregnancy that was complicated with liver failure due to acute exacerbation of hepatitis B, but had favorable outcomes for both the mother and the baby after liver transplantation.
Effects of COVID-19 on an academic breast oncology center in New York City

51Background: The influx of patients to the healthcare system due to COVID-19 impacted healthcare practices including the care of breast cancer patients. Our aim is to describe the impact this pand...
The association between patient experience and healthcare outcomes using SEER-CAHPS patient experience and outcomes among cancer survivors.

Abstract Objective To understand the relationship between patient experience, as measured by scores on the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) survey, and clinical and financial outcomes among older cancer survivors. Materials and Methods We analyzed the records of all Fee-for-Service (FFS) Medicare beneficiaries 66 years and older who completed one CAHPS survey from 2001 to 2004 or 2007–2013 with one of the five following cancer types: breast, bladder, colorectal, lung, or prostate; and completed a CAHPS survey within 5 years of cancer diagnosis date. We conducted a multivariate analysis, controlling for clinical and demographic variables, to evaluate the association between excellent CAHPS scores and the following clinical and financial outcomes: mortality, emergency department visits, and total healthcare expenditures. Results A total of 7395 individuals were present in our cohort, with 57% being male and 85.7% non-Hispanic White. Breakdown of the cohort by cancer site is as follows: prostate (40.4%), breast (28.6%), colorectal (14.0%), lung (9.4%), and bladder (7.6%). When looking at the relationship between CAHPS scores and clinical outcomes, there was no significant difference between excellent and non-excellent CAHPS score respondents in all three of the clinical outcomes studied. Furthermore, there was no association between ED utilization and patient experience scores when stratifying by cancer site and race/ethnicity among this cohort. Conclusion In this cohort, a highly rated patient experience, as measured by responses on the CAHPS survey, is not associated with improved clinical outcomes among older cancer survivors.
Lost in translation: codon optimization inactivates SARS-CoV-2 RdRp

RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is a primary target for antivirals. We report that Nsp12, a catalytic subunit of SARS-CoV-2 RdRp, produces an inactive enzyme when codon-optimized for bacterial expression. We also show that accessory subunits, NTPs, and translation by slow ribosomes partially rescue Nsp12. Our findings have implications for functional studies and identification of novel inhibitors of RdRp and for rational design of other biotechnologically and medically important expression systems.
Fostering Pre-Service Teachers’ Critical Multilingual Language Awareness: Use of Multimodal Compositions to Confront Hegemonic Language Ideologies

Drawing upon tenets of Critical Multilingual Language Awareness (CMLA), we analyzed multimodal compositions created by preservice teachers (PSTs) from two institutions to investigate their meaning-...
Grain boundary structure-property model inference using polycrystals: The underdetermined case

Abstract Historically, attempts to correlate grain boundary (GB) structure and properties have relied on experimental measurements and computational calculations performed on bicrystals. While the resulting data can be precise, it is usually severely limited in quantity due to the cost and/or computational expense of sampling the full 5D GB character space. As a result, existing data is concentrated around highly-symmetric sub-regions. In contrast, polycrystals are ubiquitous, inexpensive, and contain a broad range of GB characters. However, extracting GB properties from the effective properties of polycrystals requires the solution of an inverse problem. In this work, we present a Bayesian framework, that we call GB property localization, to address both of these challenges by facilitating the inference of GB structure-property models from indirect polycrystal measurements and severely limited data (i.e. when the system is strongly underdetermined). The method naturally provides uncertainty quantification for the resulting inferences. We present the results of validation tests using 1DOF and 3DOF structure-property models for GB diffusivity in 2D (or columnar) microstructures, and we investigate the influence of the number of observations and the number of grains in a polycrystal on the inference quality. We identify a transition in the preferred type of data as a function of the number of observations: when data is abundant bicrystals lead to more accurate inferences; however when data is severely limited, polycrystals may provide more accurate results.
Modeling the effect of habitat availability and quality on endangered winter-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) production in the Sacramento Valley

Abstract Reconciliation between water uses and sustaining aquatic species populations requires an effort to identify and quantify essential habitat characteristics for ecosystem health and valuation methods to predict ecosystem response to restoration actions. This process is particularly challenging for anadromous fish species such as California's Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon, due to their limited geographic range and diverse life history habitat requirements. Tools, such as life-cycle models, are needed to manage population dynamics and quantify the composite effects of processes across space and time. Nevertheless, complex institutions can hinder result interpretation and communication, and limit model use in decision-making. This paper focuses on the federally endangered and endemic Sacramento River winter-run Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) by developing a Winter-Run Habitat-based Population Model (WRHAP). WRHAP is a conceptual, freshwater rearing stage model that includes alternative rearing habitats reported in the literature (e.g., floodplains, off-channel and tributaries), defines rules of habitat use based on instream conditions, and incorporates a juvenile growth module that combines bioenergetics modeling with empirical growth rates. Model outputs reasonably follow observed out-migration patterns and provide a realistic smolt size distribution arriving at the San Francisco Bay. This effort demonstrates the importance of currently “non-critical” habitats (as defined by the Endangered Species Act) for juvenile development, with floodplain habitat contributing to a quarter of out-migrating biomass (despite
Low LIM-domain only 2 (LMO2) expression in aggressive B cell lymphoma correlates with MYC and MYC/ BCL2 rearrangements, especially in germinal center cell-type tumors

LIM-domain only 2 (LMO2) is a highly conserved cysteine-rich protein that is a critical regulator of hematopoietic cell development, stem cell maintenance, and is implicated in angiogenesis [1,2]. ...
Computational Modeling of C-Terminal Tails to Predict the Calcium-Dependent Secretion of Endoplasmic Reticulum Resident Proteins

The lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has resident proteins that are critical to perform the various tasks of the ER such as protein maturation and lipid metabolism. These ER resident proteins typically have a carboxy-terminal ER retention/retrieval sequence (ERS). The canonical ERS that promotes ER retrieval is Lys-Asp-Glu-Leu (KDEL) and when an ER resident protein moves from the ER to the Golgi, KDEL receptors (KDELRs) in the Golgi recognize the ERS and return the protein to the ER lumen. Depletion of ER calcium leads to the mass departure of ER resident proteins in a process termed exodosis, which is regulated by KDELRs. Here, by combining computational prediction with machine learning-based models and experimental validation, we identify carboxy tail sequences of ER resident proteins divergent from the canonical “KDEL” ERS. Using molecular modeling and simulations, we demonstrated that two representative non-canonical ERS can stably bind to the KDELR. Collectively, we developed a method to predict whether a carboxy-terminal sequence acts as a putative ERS that would undergo secretion in response to ER calcium depletion and interacts with the KDELRs. The interaction between the ERS and the KDELR extends beyond the final four carboxy terminal residues of the ERS. Identification of proteins that undergo exodosis will further our understanding of changes in ER proteostasis under physiological and pathological conditions where ER calcium is depleted.
Microstructural analysis of Ti–6Al–4V powder for cold gas dynamic spray applications

Abstract The importance of powder feedstock microstructure has been of relatively little interest in literature up until this point due to the melting or near melting processing conditions in most modern powder metallurgical techniques. The microstructure and resultant properties of consolidated materials in solid state processes, such as cold spray, are critically dependent on the feedstock powder. The focus of this paper is the characterization of plasma atomized Ti–6Al–4V powder using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Results indicate that while most powders are martensitic due to high cooling rates, powders can also have an equiaxed cellular or featureless microstructure depending on particle size.
A Retrieval of Awe: Examining Disruption and Apprehension in Transformative Education

THE DECLINE OF WONDER IN ADULT ONTOLOGY Wonder is generally recognized as the fiefdom of the young. As children, it seemed as if we regularly found ourselves enrapt in a state of awe. Dumbstruck, overpowered, yet ultimately transfixed by some external phenomena, we would regularly exist simply marveling at things from our surroundings. This amazing character of experience, once a regular fixture of our way of experiencing the world, has gradually ebbed — receded to the point where we barely experience wonder at all. Yet, where did this formative experience go? Did it gradually vanish as we assumed greater knowledge and mastery of our surroundings? Did it abandon us as we became routinely familiar with an increasingly finite set of rote experiences offered by our environment? Or was it at odds with an instrumental perspective of the world: a mindset we were expected to adopt in order to become effective adults — one that sees all objects as tools and stepping stones to improve our efficacy?
Effect of Disorder on Photonic Band-Gap Fibers

We present the first study of structural disorder in air/silica photonic band-gap fibers (PBGFs). For a typical PBGF structure we find band-gap closure when the disorder in the air-hole radii and positions is plusmn4%
Growth Opportunities, Assets in Place, Stocks Migration and CAPM: A Rational Foundation for the Fama-French and Momentum Factors

Can the Fama-French (1993) factors and Carhart’s (1997) momentum factor be derived from CAPM? Surprisingly, the answer is YES, once a basic form of market friction is accounted for. Investors cannot trade growth opportunities (GOs) separately from net assets in place (NAIPs). Investors do not fulfill their potential demands for GOs and NAIPs “shares” when buying value and growth stocks. The migration of stocks across cap and style categories (Fama and French, 2007) plays a key role in the analysis. The momentum factor is related to the temporary mean-aversion of price-to-book ratios for stocks that transit through the neutral category.
InP photonic crystal membrane structures

Quasi-2-dimensional photonic band gap waveguides have been etched onto InGaAsP membranes. A variety of structures were formed, with differing lattice constants and fill factors. Transmission measurements through these structures allowed mapping out of the band gap and band edge of the photonic crystal structures. Comparisons between experimental measurements and theoretical simulations allowed us to determine the sensitivity of optical output to fabrication errors and variations.
Review and reinterpretation of Rio Grande silvery minnow reproductive ecology using egg biology, life history, hydrology, and geomorphology information

To inform management actions to recover the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus, RGSM), we (1) calculated the terminal settling velocities of newly expelled and water-hardened RGSM eggs for the observed range of suspended sediment concentrations and water temperatures in the Rio Grande, New Mexico, USA, and (2) reviewed RGSM reproductive ecology in the context of egg biology, the species' life history, and the historic and contemporary hydrology and geomorphology of the Rio Grande. Results show that in a naturally functioning riverine environment, the location and timing of spawning, the ontogenic stage of egg development, and habitat-specific differences in sediment and temperature that influence egg-settling rates interact to (1) prevent egg suffocation, (2) promote egg entrainment in clear, warm, productive floodplain habitats, and (3) limit downstream population displacement. Our research suggests that the RGSM is primarily a demersal, floodplain spawning species that evolved eggs that are secondarily buoyant in high-sediment environments rather than a main channel, pelagic broadcast-spawning species with an evolved long-distance, downstream drift phase, as previously reported. The current high magnitude of egg drift is hypothesized to be an artefact of contemporary river management and channelization, leading to reduced lateral connectivity, floodplain abandonment, and habitat degradation. Conservation actions implemented to restore historic channel form and reconnect low-velocity backwater and floodplain habitats are recommended. In the absence of a documented upstream migration of adult fish, removal of barriers to a presumed upstream movement is unlikely to provide immediate benefits to RGSM. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.