cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hormonal Responses to D-Amphetamine in Schizophrenia

The effects of D-amphetamine in man and particularly in schizophrenic patients have been studied because of the hypothesized disturbance in the dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) systems in the illness. In this chapter, we incorporated several of our studies of the effects of D-amphetamine on hormonal secretion. We studied PRL, which is under tonic inhibitory control of DA (MacLeod and Lamberts, 1979; Clemens and Shaar, 1980; Meites, 1973), growth hormone (GH), which can be released by both NE (Massara and Camanni, 1972) and DA (Malas et al., 1983; Meltzer et al., 1979), and Cortisol, which is under partial control of NE (Sachar et al., 1981). Furthermore, we examined immunoreactive (i.r.) β-endorphin levels assuming that the euphoria that is experienced may be mediated by endorphin release as well as the hypothesized β-endorphin disturbance in schizophrenia (Berger et al., 1980; Davis et al., 1980; Bloom et al., 1976).
Qualitative Methods for National Security Applications: Archival Research and Contemporary Sources

This paper aims to develop analytic approaches and practical lessons from primary and complementary sources — from historical archives to emergent online media — toward advancing policy-relevant scientific knowledge of conflicts as well as helping leaders overcome the fog of war and make better-informed decisions in complex environments. From Syria to Afghanistan and elsewhere, today’s international security hotspots have a long history as well as fast developing dynamics. Decisions and actions may further shape strategic dispositions for generations to come. How can we systematically learn from the available records and exploit the emergent content of unfolding complex conflicts to draw accurate and meaningful insights that are methodologically sound as well as actionable? This paper outlines a general approach toward addressing this question and shows its application using two example cases: Afghanistan and Syria. Specifically, the paper highlights lessons learned from an ongoing study “Mining Afghan Lessons from the Soviet Era” (MALSE) based on USSR's Politburo archives to inform the U.S. led Coalition (ISAF/NATO) activities in Afghanistan and examines potential applications to other cases, such as the situation in Syria. The goal is to develop rigorous approaches, analytic tools, and data sources for gaining deeper understanding of complex conflicts and applying the knowledge gained to help military and policy leaders improve their consequential decisions under uncertainty.
I-O at a Crossroad: The Value of an Intersectional Research Approach

The focal article written by Bergman and Jean ( 2016 ) draws attention to a critical void in the industrial and organizational (I-O) psychology domain: the study of low- and medium-skill workers. Although segmenting employees based on their job status may provide new conceptualizations of employee work experiences, this approach may not provide the nuanced view necessary to fully comprehend the many ways in which employees differentially experience the workplace. Within this category of workers, experiences may vary based on employees’ race, gender, socioeconomic status (SES), or other identity-defining characteristics, and these person-specific identities may interact with one another. An intersectional research approach provides a foundation on which researchers can more fully understand how individuals’ multiple social identities interact to affect their workplace experiences. In the commentary that follows, we provide an overview of intersectional research and describe how such a perspective would lead to meaningful developments within I-O psychology.
BI-33BEVACIZUMAB-INDUCED HYPERTENSION IS A PREDICTIVE MARKER FOR IMPROVED OUTCOMES IN RECURRENT GLIOBLASTOMA.

PURPOSE: Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) approved for treatment of recurrent glioblastoma (GBM). Previous studies have demonstrated differential outcomes for patients treated with this agent for other tumors based on whether hypertension developed as a side effect. We conducted a single-institutional retrospective study analyzing survival outcomes for patients with recurrent GBM treated with bevacizumab based on whether patients developed drug-induced hypertension. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All GBM patients treated within Emory Healthcare from 2007-2012 were reviewed. 82 patients were identified that received bevacizumab for recurrent GBM and were included on study. Patients were classified as normotensive or hypertensive depending on whether hypertension developed secondary to therapy. Progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were graphed by the Kaplan-Meier method and normotensive versus hypertensive groups were compared by log rank tests. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed using the Cox proportional hazard method assessing for potential patient, treatment and tumor factors that may predict outcome. RESULTS: Median followup time was 7 months. Of the 82 recurrent GBM patients treated with bevacizumab, 30 developed drug-induced hypertension. Median time to development of hypertension was 21 days. Median PFS for the normotensive and hypertensive groups was 2.5 months (95% CI: 1.6-3.0) and 6.7 months (95% CI: 4.6-10.0), respectively (p <0.001). Median OS for the normotensive and hypertensive groups was 4.9 (95% CI: 4.4-6.8) and 11.7 (95% CI: 9.0- 20.5), respectively (p <0.001). Drug-induced hypertension was the only factor found to be significant on univariate analysis when evaluated for both PFS (HR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.14-41) and OS (HR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.19-0.53) endpoints (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with recurrent GBM who developed bevacizumab-induced hypertension demonstrated significantly better PFS and OS. Bevicizumab-induced hypertension may be a physiologic marker of outcome in recurrent GBM patients.
Rare and Fulminant Presentation of Adult Moyamoya Disease: A Case Report (P4.356)

OBJECTIVE: To describe a rare presentation of Moyamoya disease. BACKGROUND: Moyamoya disease is a chronic progressive non-atherosclerotic, non-inflammatory, occlusive intracranial vasculopathy involving distal internal carotid artery (ICA) distributions. Adults usually present with recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage and hemispheric infarction. This case reveals a unique presentation involving the corpus callosum with a fatal outcome. DESIGN/METHODS: A case report RESULTS: A 51-year-old Vietnamese female with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease presented with aphasia, left hemiparesis, left arm apraxia and truncal ataxia. MRI brain revealed acute ischemia in anterior corpus callosum involving the pericallosal vascular territory as well as along the right anterior cerebral artery (ACA)- middle cerebral artery (MCA) watershed zone. Conventional angiography revealed severe stenoses and occlusion in bilateral supraclinoid ICA, MCA and ACA distributions with distal reconstitution from lenticulostriate, choroidal and pial-pial collaterals. This was consistent with Moyamoya disease Suzuki stage IV. Tests for secondary etiology including hematologic, neoplastic, inflammatory, infectious and vasculitic processes returned negative though we could not exclude the contribution of atherosclerosis. She was treated with aspirin and clopidogrel but was not considered a candidate for extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery due to lack of appropriate host vessels which would allow improved perfusion to the affected vascular territories on CT perfusion imaging. Eight days later, she became unresponsive. Imaging revealed large hemispheric infarcts involving bilateral MCA territories. The patient expired within two weeks. CONCLUSIONS: This is only the second case of Moyamoya disease reported in the literature that presented with anterior corpus callosum infarction. Both cases were characterized by a fulminant course with a fatal outcome. Corpus callosum infarction in Moyamoya disease may be a harbinger of a fulminant clinical course. The causality of this association should be investigated further. Disclosure: Dr. Shah has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kass has received personal compensation for activities as an expert witness in litigation. Dr. Kass has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for the American Academy of Neurology.
238 THE EFFECT OF INTUBATION ON TIME OF APPEARANCE OF POSITIVE RESPIRATORY CULTURES IN VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS BETWEEN 450 AND 1250 GRAMS

Background Previous studies have shown that assisted ventilation and respiratory infections lead to increased rates of chronic lung disease in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. However, little is known about when respiratory infections are most likely to begin in ventilated VLBW infants. Objective To evaluate when infectious organisms and what type appear in endotracheal tube aspirate cultures of ventilated infants weighing ≥450 grams and ≤1250 grams. Design and Methods Retrospective chart review of 30 infants born at LAC+USC Women9s and Children9s Hospital between January 2002 and June 2004, weighing ≥450 grams and ≤1250 grams, who were intubated at birth, placed on assisted ventilation, and eventually discharged home or lived at least until day of life 30, were evaluated for respiratory culture results. Endotracheal tube aspirates of the infants were collected at birth and 3 times weekly for the duration of the intubation. Results were evaluated to determine when positive cultures were obtained and what types of organisms were present. Results Fifty-five percent of the infants included in the review had positive respiratory cultures by day of life 10; all but 3 of these infants had negative respiratory cultures at birth. Those infants with positive respiratory cultures at birth had a period with negative cultures and then had positive cultures again by day of life 10. Sixty-five percent of the infants included in the review had positive respiratory cultures by day of life 11; of this group, 75% were delivered via cesarean section, 78% received a 7-day course of antibiotics, 85% received at least one dose of surfactant, and 64% had mothers who did not have prolonged rupture of membrane (PROM). No significant difference in rate of delivery type, PROM, or antibiotic course was found in infants with negative cultures by day 11 of life. Conclusions The majority of intubated VLBW infants ≤1250 grams on assisted ventilation develop positive respiratory cultures by at least 11 days of age.
Infrastructure and Environment

This chapter is concerned with what might broadly be subsumed under the heading of infrastructure. Infrastructure, physical and social, has many components of which we shall focus mainly on transport, energy, education and governance as the principal constraints to development in Bangladesh. Of these, we shall deal with the issues of governance in the concluding chapter.
The Deaths of Pan

Reimagining an ancient myth through a cross-temporal metaphor of a love story, this performance philosophical piece plays with language and theatrical conventions in a meditation on (dis)connection and memory in the times of the Internet and of capitalist modernity.
Saliency-driven image acuity modulation on a reconfigurable silicon array of spiking neurons

We have constructed a system that uses an array of 9,600 spiking silicon neurons, a fast microcontroller, and digital memory, to implement a reconfigurable network of integrate-and-fire neurons. The system is designed for rapid prototyping of spiking neural networks that require high-throughput communication with external address-event hardware. Arbitrary network topologies can be implemented by selectively routing address-events to specific internal or external targets according to a memory-based projective field mapping. The utility and versatility of the system is demonstrated by configuring it as a three-stage network that accepts input from an address-event imager, detects salient regions of the image, and performs spatial acuity modulation around a high-resolution fovea that is centered on the location of highest salience.
Abstract 5427: Small molecule inhibitors of Musashi family of RNA-binding proteins

Musashi family of RNA-binding proteins are key regulators of several stem cell populations and are also involved in tumor proliferation and maintenance. There are two Musashi proteins in humans, Msi1 and Msi2, both of which regulate target mRNAs translation. We aim to identify small molecule inhibitors of Msi activity thus blocking the growth of a broad range of cancer cells. Known mRNA targets of Msi1 include Numb, APC and p21WAF-1, key regulators of Notch, Wnt signaling and cell cycle progression, respectively. Numb is also an mRNA target of Msi2. We confirmed the binding between numb and Msi1/Msi2 by RNA-IP. Using a fluorescence polarization assay, we screened small molecules from several chemical libraries for those that disrupt the binding of Msi1 to its consensus RNA binding site. Hits were validated by surface plasmon resonance, amplified luminescent proximity homogeneous assays and nuclear magnetic resonance. Among the small molecules that we screened, we found several hit compounds that disrupt the Msi1-numb RNA binding potently. Our study supports the hypothesis that Msi1 inhibition is a viable and effective anti-cancer strategy and we identified (-)-gossypol as the first small molecule inhibitor of Msi1 that inhibits tumor xenograft growth in vivo. Citation Format: Lan Lan, Carl Appelman, Amber Smith, Jia Yu, Sarah Larsen, Rebecca Marquez, Xiaoqing Wu, Hao Liu, Anuradha Roy, Asokan Anbanandam, Ragul Gowthaman, John Karanicolas, Steven Rogers, Jeffrey Aube, Roberto De Guzman, Kristi Neufeld, Liang Xu. Small molecule inhibitors of Musashi family of RNA-binding proteins. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5427. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5427
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Progam benefits and emergency room visits for hypoglycaemia

Objective The present study examines the connection between the timing and size of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and the occurrence of emergency room (ER) visits for hypoglycaemia, a condition that is highly sensitive to short-term changes in nutritional intake. Design We used administrative data from Missouri SNAP and Medicaid to identify the timing of issuance and the benefit size of SNAP and the timing of ER claims for hypoglycaemia. We estimated the probability of submitting an ER claim for hypoglycaemia as a function of the calendar week, SNAP benefit week and the size of the SNAP benefit in models that controlled for individual demographic characteristics. Setting Missouri SNAP caseload from January 2010 to December 2013 linked to adult Medicaid claims data for the same time period. Subjects ER claims submitted to Medicaid ( n 6 508 061). Results The results indicated no evidence of a SNAP benefit cycle or monthly cycle to ER claims for hypoglycaemia. However, the analysis did find that ER claims for hypoglycaemia are related to the size of the SNAP benefit. Conclusions These results suggest that more generous SNAP benefits help households avoid nutritional fluctuations in the quality and quantity of food that might result in low blood sugar, thus necessitating fewer ER visits for hypoglycaemia.
Metallic Materials Resistant to Molten Zinc

Refractory boron compounds are shown to resist corrosion by molten zinc. Coatings were made from ferroboron and manganese boron by several methods: welding, hard facing, and pack diffusion; and techniques of coatings are very important. Mechanical failure of the diffusion coatings can be partially eliminated by applying them to type 416 chromium steels rather than carbon steels. Welded coatings made with a tungsten arc are better than those made by other welding methods. Sintered compacts of mixtures of iron and chromium borides developed strengths of about 30,000 psi. They resisted corrosion of zinc at 600°C and oxidation at higher temperatures.
Applying translabial ultrasound to detect synthetic slings-You can do it too! A comparison of urology trainees to an attending radiologist.

Aims Translabial ultrasound (TUS) is a useful tool for identifying and assessing synthetic slings. This study evaluates the ability of urology trainees to learn basic pelvic anatomy and sling assessment on TUS. Methods Eight urology trainees (six residents and two medical students) received a lecture reviewing basic anatomy and sling assessment on TUS followed by review of two training cases. Next, they underwent a 126-question examination assessing their ability to identify anatomic planes and structures in those planes, identify the presence of slings, and assess the location and intactness of a sling. The correct response rate was compared to that of an attending radiologist experienced in reading TUS. Non-parametric tests (Fisher's exact, chi-squared tests, and Yates correction) were used for statistical analysis, with P < 0.05 considered significant. Results 847/1008 (84.0%) of questions were answered correctly by eight trainees compared to 119/126 (94.4%) by the radiologist (P = 0.001). The trainees’ correct response rates and Fisher's exact test P values associated with the difference in correct answers between radiologist and trainee were as follows: identification of anatomic plane (94.4%; P = 0.599), identification of structure in sagittal view (80.6%; P = 0.201), identification of structure in transverse view (88.2%; P = 0.696), presence of synthetic sling (95.8%; P = 1.000), location of sling along the urethra in (71.5%; P = 0.403), intactness of sling (82.6%; P = 0.311), and laterality of sling disruption (75.0%; P = 0.076). Conclusions Urology trainees can quickly learn to identify anatomic landmarks and assess slings on TUS with reasonable proficiency compared to an experienced attending radiologist.
Predictors of Acute Renal Injury Study (PARIS) among HIV-positive individuals: design and methods

Acute kidney injury (AKI), which is common among HIV-positive individuals, may contribute to the excess burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in this patient population; however, conventional clinical methods to detect AKI do not capture kidney injury sufficiently early to prevent irreversible damage. Further, large observational and interventional studies of AKI generally exclude HIV-positive persons in spite of their disproportionate risk. The Predictors of Acute Renal Injury Study (PARIS) is a prospective observational cohort study among HIV-positive individuals established to determine the ability of candidate kidney injury biomarkers to predict future hospitalized clinical AKI, to characterize hospitalized subclinical AKI, and to discern the risk of progressive kidney disease following subclinical and clinical AKI. Among the candidate kidney injury markers, we will select the most promising to translate into a clinically viable, multiplex panel of urinary biomarkers which we will integrate with clinical factors to develop a model prognostic of risks for AKI and subsequent kidney function decline. This study has a targeted enrollment of 2000 participants. The overall follow-up of participants consists of two phases: 1) a 5-year active follow-up phase which involves serial evaluations at enrollment, annual clinic visits, and among participants who are hospitalized during this period, an evaluation at index hospitalization and 3 and 12 months post-hospitalization; and 2) a subsequent passive follow-up phase for the duration that the participant receives medical care at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. This study will serve as an important resource for future studies of AKI by establishing a repository with both ambulatory and inpatient biospecimens, a resource that is currently lacking in existing HIV clinical cohorts and studies of AKI. Upon completion of this study, the resulting prognostic model which will incorporate results from the multiplex HIV-AKI Risk Pane could serve as a pharmacodynamic endpoint for early phase therapeutic candidates for AKI.
Depression and Anxiety Among Patients on Chronic Opioid Therapy.

Background Chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) and chronic opioid therapy (COT) commonly coexist with comorbid depression and anxiety. We investigated the prevalence of depression and anxiety and their correlates at the time of controlled substance agreement (CSA) enrollment among patients with CNCP and a history of depression or anxiety on COT. Methods Retrospective analysis of 1066 patients in a Midwest primary care practice enrolled in CSAs for COT between May 9, 2013, and August 15, 2016. Patients with self-reported symptoms or a clinical history of depression or anxiety were screened at CSA enrollment using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item scale and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 item scale. Results The percentage of patients screening positive for depression and anxiety at CSA enrollment was 15.4% and 14.4%, respectively. Patients screening positive for depression or anxiety were more likely to be younger, unmarried, unemployed, and live alone compared to patients not screening positive. Patients screening positive for depression or anxiety were more likely to smoke cigarettes and report concern from friends or relatives regarding alcohol consumption. Compared to patients screening negative, patients screening positive for depression had higher odds of receiving opioid doses of ≥50 morphine milligram equivalents per day (adjusted odds ratio: 1.62; 95% confidence interval: 1.01-2.58). Conclusion Anxiety and depression are prevalent at enrollment in CSAs among patients receiving COT. Future research is needed to determine whether recognition of anxiety and depression leads to improved management and outcomes for this population.
Growth of Shaped Crystals

Shaped crystal growth refers to the growth of single crystals with a predetermined cross sectional configuration designed for a specific application. The quest to develop such techniques has been driven by the need to minimize costs associated with device fabrication such as cutting or polishing, the loss of expensive materials during these fabrication processes, and the damage created by machining processes.
Constructing Meaning from Space, Gesture, and Speech

Face-to-face communication in the workplace is often conceived of as consisting mainly of spoken language. Although spoken language is clearly a very important medium for the creation of representations, in complex work settings, it is one of several such media. Gestures and the space inhabited by speakers and listeners are normally thought of as providing context for the interpretation of speech. In this chapter we show how space, gesture, and speech are all combined in the construction of complex multilayered representations in which no single layer is complete or coherent by itself. We examine a brief explanation given by one worker to two others. We show how the meaning of the explanation is carried in the coordination among the spatial organization of specilized artifacts, the positioning of gestures with respect to those artifacts, and the words that are spoken.
Abstract 4965: Entinostat transforms the suppressive tumor microenvironment of breast cancer and promotes survival and anti-responses when combined with checkpoint inhibition

Checkpoint inhibition has revolutionized treatment in cancers that are naturally immunogenic by enabling infiltration of T cells into the tumor microenvironment (TME) and promoting cytotoxic signaling pathways. While this strategy has shown some efficacy in metastatic breast cancer, most breast cancers lack immunogenic potential due to a strictly sustained immunosuppressive microenvironment and a lack of tumor antigen expression and recognition. One strategy to transform the breast TME is to use epigenetic modulation to affect activation and trafficking of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), known to alter the immunogenicity of the TME and sensitize tumors to checkpoint modulation. We show that combinations of an epigenetic agent, the histone deacetylase inhibitor entinostat (ENT), checkpoint inhibitors anti -programmed cell death protein (a-PD-1) and anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (a-CTLA-4) antibodies, with and without anti-HER2 antibodies significantly improves survival and anti-tumor effects in HER-2/neu transgenic mouse models. Using fluorescence-activated cell sorting, nanostring gene expression profiling, and other functional assays, we have characterized the various types of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and myeloid cells and their functional capabilities within primary tumors. We show that addition of ENT to checkpoint inhibition leads to significantly decreased suppressive ability of granulocytic-MDSCs into the TME. We also demonstrate an increase in CD8+ T effector cells in mice treated with combination therapy. Flow cytometric evaluation of markers of T cell activation, exhaustion, and MDSC function demonstrate significantly increased T cell activation, exhaustion, and decreased myeloid function. Nanostring gene expression profiling of both MDSCs and lymphocytes infiltrating tumors determined significant changes in immune related pathways that likely lead to our observed outcomes. In summary, addition of ENT to checkpoint inhibition significantly increases infiltration of innate and adaptive immune cells into the highly tolerant neu-N breast tumors and leads to improved survival and decreased tumor burden. Functional assays demonstrate that this drug combination promotes a less suppressive TME and allows a more robust anti-tumor effect of infiltrating cells. It is our hope that these novel findings will provide further rationale for combination therapy and improve the response rate of these immune therapies in patients with breast cancer. Citation Format: Evanthia T. Roussos Torres, Christine Rafie, Hayley Ma, Brian Christmas, Todd Armstrong, Elizabeth M. Jaffee. Entinostat transforms the suppressive tumor microenvironment of breast cancer and promotes survival and anti-responses when combined with checkpoint inhibition [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4965.
Needlestick injuries and other body substance exposures among police officers in a city police department.

Background We determined the incidence and circumstances of needlestick injuries and other body substance exposures among police officers in a city police department. Methods We analyzed data extracted from the city's centralized human resource database on all incidents from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2016, and characterized their circumstances. We calculated the annual incidence of needlestick injuries per 1,000 officers and per 10,000 reactive calls. We ran a Poisson regression model to determine the trend in the annual incidence over time. Results We found 13 needlestick injuries and 37 additional body substance exposures involving city police officers. Needlestick injuries most commonly occurred during pat-down searches and searches of property or vehicles; 9 source persons tested positive for hepatitis C. The annual incidence of needlestick injuries ranged from 0-5.1 per 1,000 police officers and from 0-2.5 per 10,000 reactive calls for service without a significant trend. Most body substance exposures consisted of spitting, human bites, and other contact with blood. No incidents reportedly led to transmission of bloodborne viruses. Conclusions Although these appear to be rare events, police officers in this department are at risk for needlestick injuries and other body substance exposures. We recommended engineering, administrative, and personal protective equipment control improvements.
The effects of youth transition programs on labor market outcomes of youth with disabilities

Abstract The process of “transitioning” to adulthood for youth with disabilities has long been recognized to be an important but understudied public policy concern. This paper evaluates the labor market effects of Virginia’s school-to-work vocational evaluation program, PERT. Using a unique panel data set containing more than a decade of labor market and service information, we provide the first-ever assessment of the long-term employment impacts of a transitioning program for youth with disabilities. Overall, the estimated effects are substantial: PERT has an estimated median quarterly rate of return of nearly 30%.
Tracking the evolution of CNS remyelinating lesion in mice with neutral red dye

Animal models of central nervous system (CNS) demyelination, including toxin-induced focal demyelination and immune-mediated demyelination through experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), have provided valuable insights into the mechanisms of neuroinflammation and CNS remyelination. However, the ability to track changes in transcripts, proteins, and metabolites, as well as cellular populations during the evolution of a focal lesion, has remained challenging. Here, we developed a method to label CNS demyelinating lesions by the intraperitoneal injection of a vital dye, neutral red (NR), into mice before killing. We demonstrate that NR-labeled lesions can be easily identified on the intact spinal cord in both lysolecithin- and EAE-mediated demyelination models. Using fluorescence microscopy, we detected NR in activated macrophages/microglia and astrocytes, but not in oligodendrocytes present in lesions. Importantly, we successfully performed RT-qPCR, Western blot, flow cytometry, and mass spectrometry analysis of precisely dissected NR-labeled lesions at 5, 10, and 20 d postlesion (dpl) and found differential changes in transcripts, proteins, cell populations, and metabolites in lesions over the course of remyelination. Therefore, NR administration is a simple and powerful method to track and analyze the detailed molecular, cellular, and metabolic changes that occur within the lesion microenvironment over time following CNS injury. Furthermore, this method can be used to identify molecular and metabolic pathways that regulate neuroinflammation and remyelination and facilitate the development of therapies to promote repair in demyelinating disorders such as multiple sclerosis.
Oral Chemotherapy: A Home Safety Educational Framework for Healthcare Providers, Patients, and Caregivers.

Background Hazardous oral anticancer agents (OACs) require the same safe-handling considerations in the home setting as in controlled healthcare environments. Effective home management strategies for OAC administration emphasize caregiver protections, proper storage, safe administration, spill management, and proper waste disposal to reduce the risk for hazardous drug exposure. Objectives The purpose of this study was to establish a framework for oral chemotherapy education for healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers using a checklist and teach-back tool focused on OAC safe handling. Methods A literature search was performed to establish a framework for education on home administration of OACs. Seven articles were selected to review. Findings Developing education initiatives aimed at increasing patients' and caregivers' knowledge of and skills and confidence in administering OACs at home can ensure the safe management of treatments. To establish safe-handling practices for OAC home administration, nurses can implement a standard framework for patient and caregiver education.
Collaborative tasks for online language teaching

Online language teaching has become a reality for many foreign language programs that have been forced to teach remotely. When developing an online language teaching curriculum (beyond a simple emergency teaching patch), it is important to uphold the same rigor and base our curriculum in methodological and pedagogic choices based on second language acquisition and educational research, and keep in mind that interaction is critical to developing second language skills. This article advocates that, through collaborative technology‐mediated tasks, we can promote productive language output (spoken and written) and the type of interaction that facilitates language learning and motivates students to continue improving their language skills
Re-defining the kinetics of redox reactions on passive metal surfaces

It is known that the kinetics of redox reactions occurring on the surfaces of passive metals depend upon the properties of the passive film, ostensibly due to quantum mechanical tunnelling (QMT) of electrons and holes between the metal and the redox couple at the barrier layer/solution (bl/s) interface. In this paper, the tunnelling probability is used to inter-convert the exchange current densities for the redox reactions occurring at the bl/s interface and on the hypothetical bare metal surface. We review our previous work on combining QMT theory with the point defect model (PDM), which provides an analytical expression for the bl thickness as a function of voltage. By combining QMT theory and the PDM, we derive a modified form of the generalized Butler-Volmer equation that requires as input only the kinetic parameters for the redox reaction on the hypothetical bare surface and parameters contained in the PDM. The application of the theory is illustrated with reference to the corrosion of carbon steel in concrete pore solution, to calculating the corrosion potential of, and crack growth rate in, sensitized type 304 SS in boiling water reactor (BWR) coolant circuits, and the use of hydrogen oxidation on platinum to determine the thickness of the bl as a function of voltage and temperature. This illustrates a new, powerful technique for probing the formation of passive films on metal surfaces.
Association of infant diet with subsequent obesity at 2-5 years among children exposed to gestational diabetes: the SWIFT study

This longitudinal analysis evaluated the independent and joint associations of any breastfeeding (BF) or exclusive BF (EBF) and intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and 100% fruit juice from birth to 1 year with subsequent overweight and obesity among young children exposed to gestational diabetes (GDM). The analysis utilised prospectively collected data from participants enrolled in the Study of Women, Infant Feeding and Type 2 Diabetes after GDM (SWIFT); 1035 pregnant women (20–45 years) diagnosed with GDM, of whom 75% were of Black, Hispanic or Asian race and ethnicity. Mother–infant dyad characteristics and infant dietary intake were assessed via research protocols at in-person examinations, telephone interviews and monthly mailed surveys from birth to 1 year. Child weight, length and height were obtained from electronic health records at birth (2008–2011) and ages 2–5 years (2010–2016) to classify BMI percentile groups (n = 835). Adequate BF (≥6 months), adequate EBF duration (≥6 months), and SSB and 100% fruit juice intake in the first year were independently associated with child obesity at ages 2–5 years (all p < 0.05). Compared with children with adequate EBF and no intake of SSB or 100% fruit juice, those with adequate EBF and intake of 100% fruit juice and/or SSBs had a four- to fivefold higher odds of obesity (aOR 4.2, 95% CI:1.6, 11.2 for 100% fruit juice; aOR 4.5, 95% CI:1.4, 8.5 for fruit juice or SSBs; and aOR 4.7, 95% CI:1.4, 15 for SSBs; all p < 0.01), while those with inadequate EBF (<6 months) and intake of 100% fruit juice and/or SSBs had a six- to 12-fold higher odds of obesity (aOR 6.4, 95% CI:2.4, 17.2 for fruit juice; aOR 6.6, 95% CI:2.7, 14.8 for fruit juice or SSBs; and aOR 12.2, 95% CI:4.3, 25 for SSBs; all p < 0.001). Compared with children with adequate BF and no intake of SSB or 100% fruit juice, those with adequate BF and intake of 100% fruit juice and/or SSBs had a threefold higher odds of obesity (aOR 3.1, 95% CI:1.1, 7.3 for fruit juice; aOR 3.3, 95% CI:1.3, 8.3 for fruit juice or SSBs; and aOR 3.4, 95% CI:1.3, 8.5 for SSBs; all p < 0.05), while those with inadequate BF (<6 months) and intake of 100% fruit juice and/or SSB were associated with five- to tenfold higher odds of obesity (aOR 4.8, 95% CI:2.3, 12.2 for fruit juice; aOR 6.0, 95% CI:2.5, 12.8 for fruit juice or SSBs; aOR 9.5, 95% CI:3.7, 15.1 for SSBs; all p < 0.05). This is the first study to prospectively evaluate the relation of BF or EBF duration and intake of SSB and 100% fruit juice during the first year of life with subsequent obesity in children exposed to GDM. Adequate BF or EBF combined with avoidance of SSB and 100% fruit juice during early infancy may ameliorate future child obesity in this high-risk population.
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein induces degradation of junctional proteins that maintain endothelial barrier integrity

Background SARS-CoV-2 enters cells through the Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptor present on the cell surface. ACE-2 is present in many cell types including endothelial cells, where it functions to protect against oxidative damage. Reports suggest that COVID-19 patients also showed symptoms related to endothelial damage. We hypothesized that these vascular symptoms might be associated with disrupted endothelial barrier integrity. We investigated this in vitro using endothelial cell culture and recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 Receptor-Binding Domain (S1RBD). Materials and Methods Mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells from normal (C57BL/6 mice) and diabetic (db/db) mice were used. The expression of VE-Cadherin, PECAM-1, JAM-A and Connexin 43, was probed by Western blot in normal and diabetic cells, before and after treatment with S1RBD. Results The expression of VE-Cadherin, an endothelial adherens junction protein, was not affected by diabetes or by S1RBD treatment. PECAM-1 expression showed a small but significant (~15%) decrease after S1RD treatment in control cells. Junctional Adhesion Molecule (JAM-A), a tight junction protein, and the gap junction protein, Connexin-43, decreased by ~50 and 80% respectively in the presence of S1RBD when compared to untreated controls. Expression of PECAM-1, JAM-A and connexin-43 were significantly lower in untreated diabetic endothelial cells, compared to untreated control cells. This expression level further decreased significantly in the presence of S1RBD, with maximal effects observed with JAM-A and Connexin-43 expression (~80 and 90% decrease, respectively). These results indicate that healthy and diabetic endothelial cells respond differently when challenged with SARS-CoV-2 S1RBD. Conclusion S1RBD-induces degradation of endothelial junctional proteins that likely affects endothelial barrier function and causes vascular damage.
A Priority-Aware Replanning and Resequencing Framework for Coordination of Connected and Automated Vehicles.

Deploying optimal control strategies for coordination of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) often requires re-evaluating the strategies in order to respond to unexpected changes in the presence of disturbances and uncertainties. In this paper, we first extend a decentralized framework that we developed earlier for coordination of CAVs at a signal-free intersection to incorporate replanning. Then, we further enhance the framework by introducing a priority-aware resequencing mechanism which designates the order of decision making of CAVs based on theory from the job-shop scheduling problem. Our enhanced framework relaxes the first-come-first-serve decision order which has been used extensively in these problems. We illustrate the effectiveness of our proposed approach through several numerical simulations.
Amenity, firm agglomeration, and local creativity of producer services in Shanghai

Abstract Studies of creativity in urban China are heavily confined at the interurban level and have been criticized for unclear spatial mechanisms and missing local context. This study constructs a theoretical framework to understand the role of urban amenity on the local attractiveness to producer services and further analyzes such attractiveness in Shanghai in terms of agglomeration and creativity using open data. We find that creative firms are more clustered than other producer service firms and urban amenities in Shanghai. The regression results show that urban amenity is strong in explaining local attractiveness to creativity rather than firm agglomeration at the 1-km scale. The attractiveness of the local urban area to creativity may be affected by urban amenity in various ways, including co-location, accessibility, and high-density clusters. Such relationships also follow Shanghai's monocentric structure. The importance of urban amenity decays as the distance to the central business district (CBD) increases in regards to firm agglomeration but persists in terms of creativity level. These findings highlight the importance of considering the co-existence of different spatial relationships and accentuate the differentiated applicability of industrial agglomeration and creativity theories.
Design and Fabrication of Self-Assembled Metal Helices for Millimeter-through- THz Traveling Wave Tube Amplifiers

Self-assembly of metal nanomembranes is presented as a viable avenue to fabricate helical slow-wave structures for millimeter-through- THz traveling wave tube amplifiers. The work coordinates three-dimensional simulations of cold helices and one-dimensional models of beam-wave interaction to determine a useful range of design parameters for the slow-wave structures. These parameters include diameter and pitch. Based on the simulation results, we fabricate prototype helices with microscale diameter and pitch. The nanomembrane stiffness and the built-in stress control the geometry of the helices.
Autonomous Driving Simulators

The deployment of autonomous driving algorithms or prototypes requires complex tests and evaluations in a real environment, which makes the experimental platform become one of the fundamental parts of conducting research and development. However, building and maintaining an autonomous driving vehicle are enormous. Therefore, lots of autonomous driving simulators have been proposed for research and development purposes. In this chapter, we start with a survey of open simulators developed for autonomous driving vehicles.
Possible Roles of Clays and Minerals in the Origin of Life

This chapter discusses inorganic polymers, especially clays, and the possible roles they may have played in the origin of life. Nucleic acids possess the capacity for self-reproduction and the capacity to undergo change, but they require an elaborate support system for maintenance and growth. In comparison with nucleic acids, inorganic polymers use much simpler, more accessible building blocks whose polymerization requirements are far less sophisticated. Clays are covalently linked complexes of cationic and anionic polymers. This chapter discusses the components of clays and then the complexes they can make. Metallic cations become hydrated in aqueous solution. Colloidal iron sulfides were probably the precursors of present-day iron-sulfur proteins in oxidation-reduction reactions. Majority of the minerals that make up the rocks in Earth's crust are silicates and they combine the structural features of cationic and anionic polymers as a group. Covalent bonds are made and broken in the process and several molecules must be eliminated as each unit adds to the growing polymer. Clays are capable of growing in a reproducible manner. HAP may have been a major source of phosphate for bioorganic molecules because most of the inorganic phosphate in the Earth's crust is found in this mineral. This chapter focuses on some aspects of covalent binding, in particular, on covalent bond associations between silicates and carbon compounds. Silicon can act as a bridge between two or more polysaccharide chains and thereby, contribute to the maintenance of the structure and integrity of connective tissues.
Growing and Analyzing Biofilms in Fermenters

One of the most daunting challenges of biofilm research is comparing experimental results produced by multiple laboratories, each of which uses different techniques to generate, analyze, and interpret biofilm data. The heterogeneity inherent to biofilm communities contributes to the difficulty in obtaining reproducible results between experiments within a single laboratory, but the problem is compounded further by a lack of standardization in techniques. A number of biofilm culture methods are presented in this unit to provide a set of standards for biofilm study. Each model system differs in growth conditions, applied variables, and experimental output, all of which must be carefully considered when designing an experiment and, most critically, during data interpretation. In this unit, two methods of biofilm culture that are known to reliably provide reproducible, statistically clean results in determining the viability and antimicrobial susceptibility of biofilm communities are described. The spinning disc model provides multiple biofilm samples from the same biofilm reactor, significantly reducing data variability. The tube biofilm method, in addition to providing this benefit, can be used for expression analysis, and thus can yield informative data on both macro- and micro-scales. These methods also utilize continuous culture, or chemostat, conditions to maintain a quasi-steady state. Keywords: biofilm; chemostat; spinning disc; silicone tubing; tube biofilm; fermenter
The calf 5'- to 3'-exonuclease is also an endonuclease with both activities dependent on primers annealed upstream of the point of cleavage

The catalytic activity of the calf thymus 5'- to 3'-exonuclease was measured on substrates consisting of two primers annealed adjacent to each other on a template. Exonucleolytic degradation of the downstream primer is very slow if the primers are separated by a gap of one nucleotide or if no upstream primer is present. When only a nick separates the primers, degradation is rapid. This suggests that the nuclease is designed to work with calf DNA polymerases such that synthesis from an upstream primer creates the favored nuclease substrate. Nuclease action then destroys the substrate, but it is regenerated by further polymerization. This process, termed nick translation, is necessary for both DNA replication and repair. If the downstream primer has an unannealed 5'-region, that region is removed by an endonuclease activity residing in the same enzyme. Efficient endonuclease action also requires an upstream primer that is annealed such that its 3'-end is directly adjacent to the annealed region of the downstream primer. This reaction is likely to be important for removal of DNA segments that are damaged such that exonuclease cleavage of the damaged site is not possible.
Some Basic Questions about Two Popular Adaptive Algorithm Modifications

Two adaptive algorithm modifications are considered: leakage and sign operator use. Simplisistic examples are used to demonstrate performance tradeoffs of parameter offset due to leakage and redefinition of adequately exciting input sequences with sign operator use.