cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of endothelial apoptosis induced by LPS on myocardial non-reflow after ischemia and reperfusion in rabbits

Aim:To evaluate the effects of endothelial apoptosis on myocardial non-reflow after ischemia and reperfusion.Methods:A total of 24 ischemia rabbit models were randomized into 3 groups.Sham operation(Group S):only braid,with no occlusion.Group IR:LAD occlusion and reperfusion,with no other intervention.Group L: rabbits were infused lipopolysaccharide(LPS)50 μg/kg,5 hours later,operated as the ischemia/reperfusion protocol. Size of non-reflow area was determined by thioflavin S.Endothelial cell apoptosis in non-reflow area after ishchemia and reperfusion were determined by TUNEL.Results:Compared with those of Group S,endothelial cell apoptosis index of coronary artery of Group IR and Group L increased(P0.05).Compared with those in Group IR,endothelial cell apoptosis index of coronary artery and non-reflow sizes of Group L increased significantly(P0.05).Conclusion:Apoptosis of endothelial cell of coronary artery could induce non-reflow.
Why Wide Webs Wrinkle

Our webs are wide, very thin, two-dimensional, continua arising commonly as a material in transport in machine systems. Though they are thin, webs often require modeling as plates or shells, albeit very thin and flexible ones, because even small bending stiffness distinguishes their behaviors from membranes in critical ways. Technological applications generating interest in web mechanics include the manufacture and handling of paper where wide sheets are transported by rollers at the highest possible speed, thereby maximizing productivity. Material handling problems of a similar type also arise with tissues, films, magnetic media, textiles, fabrics, polymer sheets, and the like. In a technical world pressing for ever higher speeds of stable transport, the web instabilities of wrinkling and flutter commonly bound the productivity of a technological process. These instabilities can result in permanent damage or rupture of the material and disruption of the manufacturing process. Consequently, this paper addresses some findings on webs that relate to their modeling, the prediction and causes of wrinkling, and the effect of roller misalignment on web behavior during transport. To allow us to maintain this focus, the rich collection of works on membrane structures, including modeling of inflated membranes, space structures and fiber reinforced membranes will not be part of our discussion. For attention to interesting membrane developments readers might examine Steigmann and Pipkin [14], Jenkins and Leonard [4], Li and Steigmann [5], and Haseganu and Steigmann [3]. The most important topic of web flutter caused by air flows over the web surfaces will not be addressed, though recent experimental findings can be found in Chang and Moretti [1] and Nguyen [12]. Theories modeling the flow and web in these coupled problems tend to underestimate the flutter speeds. This problem area is one of great importance.
The influence of pentoxifylline (Trental) * on the antifertility effect of intrauterine devices in rats † ‡

Objective To test the hypothesis that the inflammatory response stimulated by intrauterine devices (IUDs) plays a role in the antifertility action of IUDs. We treated rats with pentoxifylline (Trental; Hoechst-Roussel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Somerville, NJ) and evaluated its effect on the anti-implantation action of IUDs. The number of embryos in treated compared with untreated rats was determined. Design Breeder female Sprague-Dawley rats (Harlan Sprague Dawley, Indianapolis, IN) were randomized into one of five test groups (n=20 per group). A monofilament nylon IUD was inserted transcervically into one horn of the bicornuate uterus in two groups. The IUD-bearing groups received either intraperitoneal (IP) injections of pentoxifylline (45mg/kg per every 12hours) or normal saline (NS). The two non-IUD-bearing groups received IP injections of pentoxifylline or NS. The non-IUD group was not injected. All injections were administered daily for 21days and the animals then mated. Successful mating was determined by the presence of spermatozoa in vaginal washings. The injections of pentoxifylline or NS were continued until day 12 of pregnancy when the rats were killed. The total number of embryos in each uterine horn was determined. Setting University research laboratory. Results Embryo numbers (1.0±0.6 [mean±SEM]) were reduced in the IUD horn compared with the contralateral non-IUD horn (6.4±1.0) and with the uterine horns from each of the fourother test groups. The number of embryos were increased in the IUD horn (3.5±0.9) of the pentoxifylline-treated rats. Conclusion Pentoxifylline appeared to reduce the contraceptive effectiveness of the IUDs inthis model.
The Formation of Customer Engagement Behavior in a Hedonic Service Setting

Looking back on decades of traditional marketing effort, the advent of social media and the digital interface has dramatically escalated opportunities for consumers to engage with brands and products. Broader access through technology not only enables consumers to acquire/share information more readily about themselves and the products they are interested in, but supports firm competencies for nurturing relationships and engagement with customers (Verhoef, Reinartz, and Krafft, 2010). Research on consumer engagement behavior (CEB) prioritizes developing insights on how consumers become involved with products, search for/share information and interact with brands. This is the focus of the current study, which proposes and tests a formative model of CEB in a hedonic service setting.
Data Integration: An Overview

Data integration refers to the process of providing seamless access to multiple sources of data that appear to the system’s users as a single resource. Integration can occur within a single large organization, or across organizations. Data integration strategies can be divided into two categories. In physical integration, data are extracted from source systems, restructured, and loaded into query-optimized databases. In logical (virtual) integration, data reside in their original locations, but users perform queries using intermediary software that knows about the storage technology and types of data at each location. Virtual integration should generally be avoided unless political barriers prevent physical integration.
Examination of the metacognitive errors that contribute to anosognosia in Alzheimer's disease

Disordered awareness of memory loss (i.e., anosognosia) is a frequent and clinically relevant symptom of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The metacognitive errors which characterize anosognosia in AD, however, have not been fully articulated. The current study examined metamemory performance as a function of clinically defined awareness groups using different task conditions to examine the extent to which specific metacognitive deficits (i.e., detecting, integrating, or being explicitly aware of errors) contribute to anosognosia in AD (n = 49). In the prospective condition of the metamemory task, analyses examining the association between awareness group, confidence (i.e., FOK) ratings, and memory performance demonstrated an interaction effect F (1, 43) = 5.16, p = .028 with only the aware group (n = 22) providing higher FOK ratings for correct responses compared to incorrect responses (p < .001). The unaware group (n = 27) did not show this dissociation (p = .167), and also made higher FOK ratings for incorrect responses than the aware group (p = .048). There was no main effect of task condition on FOK [F (2, 66) = 1.51, p = .228] with all participants providing comparable FOK ratings for memory performance whether ratings were made prospectively, retrospectively, or in the context of examiner feedback. The overall pattern of performance in the unaware group, whereby individuals did not sufficiently lower confidence ratings in the context of memory errors, and did not benefit from either retrospective assessment or examiner feedback, appears most consistent with a primary anosognosia in which memory failures are not available in explicit awareness.
Exposing avian embryos to light affects post-hatch anti-predator fear responses

Abstract Environmental stimuli present during incubation can impact the behavior of birds post-hatch. To determine the effect of exposing broiler chicken embryos to light on fear-related behavior post-hatch, we conducted two experiments in which we incubated eggs under various light schedules, and then measured fear responses when the chickens (N = 720) were 3–6 wk of age. In Expt. 1, the incubation photoperiods were 0L:24D, 12L:12D, and 24L:0D, and tonic immobility (TI) and inversion (INV) tests were administered. In Expt. 2, the incubation photoperiods were 0L:24D, 1L:23D, 6L:18D, and 12L:12D; and an approach test (APPR) and an emergence (EMRG) test were administered in addition to TI and INV. In Expt. 1, both 12L:12D and 24L:0D had shorter latencies to right during TI (213.5 ± 23.7 and 231.8 ± 24.2 s, respectively) than 0L:24D (305.5 ± 26.1 s) and also wing flapped less intensely during INV (12L:12D 5.0 ± 0.1 wing flaps; 24L:0D 5.4 ± 0.2) than 0L:24D (5.7 ± 0.1). In Expt. 2, the 12L:12D birds once again had shorter latencies to right during TI (120.0 ± 16.5 s) and wing flapped less intensely during INV (4.7 ± 0.1 wing flaps) than 0L:24D (201.4 ± 24.9 and 5.5 ± 0.1, respectively). They also had shorter latencies to exit the dark box in EMRG (28.9 ± 3.3 s), and were less active (28 ± 2%), vocalized less (178.8 ± 9.3 times/3 min) and spent more time closer to the observer during APPR (63 ± 3%) than 0L:12D (42.9 ± 5.0 s, 35 ± 3%, 211.2 ± 10.4 times/3 min, 51 ± 3). The 1L:23D and 6L:18D showed some reductions in fearfulness compared to 0L:24D, but these were not consistent across tests. The 6L:18D and 12L:12D birds demonstrated lateralization in the direction to leave the box in EMRG, whereas 1L:23D and 0L:12D exited left or right at chance levels. The results of these experiments indicate that providing at 12 h of light stimulation daily during embryogenesis results in long-term reductions in fearfulness as measured by multiple tests, and that this may be related to cerebral lateralization. In conjunction with other research, these findings show that light exposure during embryogenesis has important implications for behavioral phenotypes and welfare in chickens.
Quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of phase 1 orthodontic treatment using the American Board of Orthodontics Discrepancy Index

Introduction This retrospective study included a sample of 300 randomly selected patients from the archived records of Saint Louis University's graduate orthodontic clinic, St. Louis, Mo, from 1990 to 2012. The objective of this study was to quantify the changes obtained in phase 1 of orthodontic treatment and determine how much improvement, if any, has occurred before the initiation of the second phase. Methods For the purpose of this study, prephase 1 and prephase 2 records of 300 subjects were gathered. All were measured using the American Board of Ortodontics Discrepancy Index (DI), and a score was given for each phase. The difference of the 2 scores indicated the quantitative change of the complexity of the treatment. Paired t tests were used to compare the scores. Additionally, the sample was categorized into 3 groups according to the Angle classifications, and the same statistics were used to identify significant changes between the 2 scores. Analysis of variance was applied to compare the 3 groups and determine which had the most change. Percentages of change were calculated for the significant scores. Results The total DI score overall and the scores of all 3 groups were significantly reduced from before to after phase 1. Overall, 42% improvement was observed. The Class I group showed 49.3% improvement, the Class II group 34.5% and the Class III group 58.5%. Most components of the DI improved significantly, but a few showed negative changes. Conclusions Significant reductions of DI scores were observed in the total sample and in all Angle classification groups. This indicates that early treatment reduces the complexity of the malocclusions. Only 2 components of the DI showed statistically significant negative changes.
What drives customers to use access-based sharing options in the hospitality industry?

Access-based sharing businesses have gained popularity in the hospitality industry. The recent shift of customers’ willingness to share accommodation with a host as opposed to using a private hotel...
Walking in Two Worlds

This phenomenological study sought to reveal the meaning for and experience of individuals who navigate two often-disparate ideological and experiential “worlds” within the culture of the United St...
Standardized, progressive exercise program (EXCAP) to reduce psychological distress and improve inflammatory cytokines of distress among prostate cancer survivors.

9510 Background: Psychological distress (a negative emotional, social, or spiritual response to cancer) is among the most common side effects of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Brief and palatable interventions are needed to ameliorate distress in diverse cancer populations, including men with prostate cancer, who may be unwilling to engage in traditional and time-intensive forms of psychotherapy. EXCAP(Exercise for Cancer Patients), a standardized, 6-week, home-based, progressive aerobic and resistance training program, has proven efficacious in improving fatigue among cancer survivors, but its effect on distress and on inflammatory cytokines associated with the pathophysiology of distress are unknown. Methods: In this Phase II RCT, 58 older prostate cancer survivors (age M=67) were randomized either to Arm 1) standard care (control) or Arm 2) EXCAP(intervention). Psychological distress (from the Profile of Mood States) and inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, sTNFR-1) were measured at basel...
Abstract 1402: Differential Regulation of Caveolin-1/eNOS Association and AMPK Phosphorylation Reduce Nitric Oxide Mediated Glut-4 Translocation in Type-1 Diabetes

Blood glucose homeostasis by insulin involves rapid stimulation of glucose uptake by translocation of glucose transporter Glut-4 from intracellular pool to the caveolar lipid rafts. Impaired Glut-4 translocation generally characterizes diabetes but the role of caveolin-1 & 3 (Cav-1 & 3) in regulation of Glut-4 translocation is not well known. In this study we examined the mechanism of Glut-4 translocation & its regulation by Cav-1 & 3 signaling in the streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic myocardium in comparison with non-diabetic control. The rats were divided into 2 groups (n=12): Control (C) & Diabetes Mellitus (DM) (STZ 65mg/Kg b.w, i.p). In vivo left ventricular functions by echocardiography were examined 30 days after intraperitoneal administration of STZ. Decreased ejection fraction (50 vs 68 %) and fractional shortening (27 vs 38 %) was documented in DM as compared to control. Isolated rat hearts subjected to 30min of global ischemia followed by 2hr of reperfusion were used to examine the mechanism involved in Glut-4 translocation. Decreased phosphorylation of AMPK was observed in DM compared to control. Lipid raft fractions isolated on a discontinuous sucrose gradient demonstrated decreased expression of Glut-4, Cav-3 (0.4, 0.6 fold) & increased Cav-1 expression (1.4 fold) in DM compared to the non-diabetic control. In DM significant decrease in phosphorylation of eNOS (1.2 fold)& Akt (1.8fold)was observed as compared to control. Moreover, confocal microscopy demonstrated significant reduction in association of Glut-4 & Cav-3 in DM as compared to control. In contrast, significant association of Cav-1 & eNOS was observed in DM as compared to control. Co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated increased association of cav-1/eNOS & decreased association of cav-3/Glut-4 in DM. In DM significant inhibition of Akt & AMPK phosphorylation was observed which in turn inhibited phosphorylation of eNOS followed by down regulation of NO production which resulted in decreased glucose uptake in diabetic condition. Thus, this study documents a novel mechanism for therapeutic targets in Type-1 diabetes.
The Longitudinal Effects of Early Language Intervention on Children's Problem Behaviors

Researchers examined whether a parent-implemented language intervention improved problem behaviors 1 year after intervention. Ninety-seven children with language delays (mean age at 12-month follow-up = 48.22 months) were randomized to receive Enhanced Milieu Teaching (EMT) language intervention or business as usual treatment. Twelve months after the intervention ended, children in the EMT intervention condition displayed lower rates of parent-reported externalizing, internalizing, and total problem behaviors. A mediation analysis revealed that the relation between EMT and problem behaviors was partially mediated by child rate of communication for both internalizing and total problem behaviors. A developmental framework is proposed to explain the impact of EMT on problem behaviors, and future lines of research are discussed.
Abstract 199: Greater Clinical Impact From Accelerating Endovascular Reperfusion for Acute Ischemic Stroke Than Acute Myocardial Infarction

Introduction: Time is brain; time is muscle. Faster endovascular reperfusion is associated with better outcome for both acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO) and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, their relative pace of benefit gain with accelerated time has not been systematically investigated. Methods: We performed a systematic literature search to identify all multi center studies (RCTs and registries) between 2000-2015 reporting relation between onset to reperfusion (OTR) and clinical outcome for AIS-LVO, or onset to balloon (OTB) and clinical outcome for STEMI. Study sample size weighting was used to produce a combined estimate of outcome change associated with every 15 min reduction in total ischemia time. Results: Systematic search identified 11 AIS-LVO studies with 611 patients and 8 STEMI studies with 15,827 patients. Across AIS-LVO trials, median OTRs were 132 to 440 minutes; across STEMI trials median OTBs were 75 to 330 minutes. Among all clinical outcomes (Table), the one most responsive to faster treatment was functional independence at 90 days for AIS-LVO: for which every 15 min acceleration in OTR, 37 more of 1000 treated patients achieved functional independence. Degree of mortality reduction with faster treatment was relatively similar for both AIS-LVO and STEMI; for every 15 min acceleration, 2-6 more of 1000 treated patients survived. MI recurrence was insensitive to treatment times. For AIS-LVO, speedier treatment was also associated with reduced intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), with 19 fewer ICHs per 1000 patients with every 15 min acceleration. Conclusion: Considering important dichotomous clinical outcomes, accelerating onset to endovascular reperfusion time has 7-fold greater benefit in acute ischemic stroke than in acute myocardial infarction. As the nervous system has greater eloquence, functional diversity, and sensitivity to ischemia, time is more brain than muscle.
The Effect of a Computing-focused Linked-courses Learning Community on Minority and Female Students

While enrollments in computing degrees and courses have grown rapidly in the past decade, both female and minority male students remain underrepresented in computing programs. This makes recruitment and retention of these populations a continuing concern. Affinity for a major is connected to student retention, and learning communities have proven effective for this purpose. We present an evaluation of a three-year linked-courses learning community in which we measure pre- to post-quarter changes in student attitudes and resource utilization. We find that participants in the learning community are significantly more likely to report being a part of a group of programmers and having friends interested in computing. Participants also utilize two important resources in different ways than students in the same programming classes but not enrolled in the community.
A Critical Evaluation of the Independence Properties

In Part I we saw that an individually rational solution f which is independent of equivalent utility representations and independent of irrelevant alternatives can be uniquely determined by specifying the outcome which it selects in the ‘canonical’ game (Ā,Ō). Each of the two independence properties represents an assumption concerning the way in which different bargaining games are related to one another, and together they essentially imply that the process of bargaining in an arbitrary game is no different from the bargaining which occurs in the game (Ā,Ō), or at least no different in any way which affects the final agreement.
Agreement and Discrepancy Between Supervisor and Clinician Alliance: Associations with Clinicians’ Perceptions of Psychological Climate and Emotional Exhaustion

Despite increasing interest in supervision as a leverage point for bolstering public mental health services, the potential influence of supervisory alliance on organizations and direct service providers remains understudied, particularly in the context of supporting evidence-based treatment (EBT) use. This study examined agreement and discrepancy between supervisor and clinician ratings of alliance associated with clinicians' perceptions of psychological climate and emotional exhaustion. Results indicated that discrepancies in alliance ratings were common and associated with clinicians' perceptions of psychological climate. These findings have important implications for collaboration among supervisors and clinicians within a community mental health organizational context and the provision of EBTs.
Organic foreign body reaction

Following the entry, the organic foreign material (thorns, twigs, wood fragments, etc.) may become embedded in different structures. Depending upon its proximity to the bone(s), it may or may not result in certain osseous changes. There is a paucity of adequate information about different clinical and pathologic conditions related to organic foreign bodies. This was the stimulus of the present communication. We have reported two additional thorn-induced bony lesions along with reviewing 44 other reported cases. Among these, only 11 cases were reported to have positive radiographic findings (eight thorn-induced, two wood fragment-related, and one due to a twig.) Because of their clinical, laboratory, and pathologic similarity to other synovitides, three cases of tenosynovitis and 16 cases of infective and noninfective synovitis are among the group under review. Geographic distribution of thorns so far reported is illustrated and the pathophysiologic possibilities are discussed.
Conservation of Early Successional Habitats in the Appalachian Mountains: A Manager’s Perspective

The plight of species dependent upon disturbed or early successional habitats of Appalachian Mountain forests has been documented by wildlife managers across the region. We conducted surveys of managers and examined State Wildlife Action Plans and initiatives aimed at addressing conservation of these species and their habitats. Although the decline of disturbance-dependent species and the types of habitats they need are well documented, determining the amount and quality of existing early successional habitats is difficult. Few managers have clear goals of how much early successional habitat is needed and where it should be located, although most agree that much more is needed. Recently developed game bird and songbird plans represent some of the best efforts to date to address levels of habitat needed. Managers have prescriptions but face serious social and cultural barriers to establishing early successional habitats on the ground. Ecological forestry and collaborative management approaches may be the best solutions to overcome these barriers.
Abstract LB-247: Targeting methionine metabolism to eradicate cancer stem cells

Purpose: Rare cells within tumors with stem cell-like properties (cancer stem stem cells or CSCs) play a critical role in treatment resistance and cancer recurrence because CSCs are resistant to chemotherapy. Hence, elimination of CSCs will require new treatment approaches to improve the long-term outcomes for patients with cancer. We have recently discovered that breast CSCs require the essential amino acid methionine for cell survival. Methionine is converted by the enzyme MAT2A to S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), a universal methyl donor that regulates gene expression by DNA and histone methylation. We hypothesize that the methionine dependence of CSCs is a unique metabolic vulnerability that we can target by dietary methionine restriction (MR) and/or inhibiting the enzyme that converts methionine to SAM (MAT2A). Experimental design and Results: We examined the effects of MR and/or MAT2A inhibition on the formation of CSC-enriched “mammospheres” and on the expression of CSC markers (CD44hi/C24low) in triple (ER/PR/HER2)-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. MR inhibited mammosphere formation, induced apoptosis and reduced the CD44hi/C24low CSC population. These effects of MR were partly rescued by addition of SAM, suggesting that CSCs are dependent on SAM for cell survival. MR resulted in robust induction of MAT2A mRNA and protein levels. Inhibition of MAT2A with cycloleucine, or by silencing MAT2A with specific siRNAs, reduced mammosphere formation and the CD44hi/C24low CSC population. Strikingly, the effects of cycloleucine or MAT2A silencing on cancer stem cells were dramatically potentiated by MR. Treatment of TNBC mammospheres with MR or cycloleucine suppressed the expression of transcriptional regulators of pluripotency and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, while the combination of MR and cycloleucine resulted in more robust reductions in the expression of these transcription factors than either intervention alone. Consistent with these effects, the combination of dietary MR and cycloleucine was more effective than either treatment alone at inhibiting primary tumor growth and lung metastases in a murine TNBC model. Conclusion: Our findings point to previously unrecognized metabolic vulnerability of CSCs, namely, their intrinsic dependence on methionine and SAM for cell survival. MR induces expression of MAT2A, thereby providing an explanation for the robust synergy between MR and MAT2A inhibition/silencing in supressing CSC survival. Moreover, cycloleucine potentiates the activity of dietary MR in a murine metastatic TNBC model, providing proof-of-principle in vivo evidence for this novel metabolic approach to eradicate CSCs and thereby improve long-term clinical outcomes in poor-prognosis TNBC. Citation Format: Elena Strekalova, Dmitry Malin, Dominik Hoelper, Peter Lewis, Vincent Cryns. Targeting methionine metabolism to eradicate cancer stem cells [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 LB-247.
Convex Elicitation of Continuous Properties.

A property or statistic of a distribution is said to be elicitable if it can be expressed as the minimizer of some loss function in expectation. Recent work shows that continuous real-valued properties are elicitable if and only if they are identifiable, meaning the set of distributions with the same property value can be described by linear constraints. From a practical standpoint, one may ask for which such properties do there exist convex loss functions. In this paper, in a finite-outcome setting, we show that in fact every elicitable real-valued property can be elicited by a convex loss function. Our proof is constructive, and leads to convex loss functions for new properties.
On assessing and enhancing the energy efficiency of comminution processes

This paper shows how the efficiencies of size-reduction processes depend on the mode of particle constraint and energy transfer within the comminution device: namely, whether the process consists of single-particle loading, confined-particle-bed comminution or loose- (unconstrained-) particle grinding. The relative efficiency of single-particle comminution, ball mill grinding and particle-bed comminution in the recently invented high-pressure roll mill is evaluated by making use of the self-preserving nature of the size distributions of comminuted products. The highest energy efficiency can be achieved by utilizing a hybrid two-stage system in which the material is first ground in the high-pressure roll mill and then the ball mill.
Evaluation of Interventions Intended to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates in the United States: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance Colorectal cancer screening (CRC) is recommended by all major US medical organizations but remains underused. Objective To identify interventions associated with increasing CRC screening rates and their effect sizes. Data Sources PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from January 1, 1996, to August 31, 2017. Key search terms includedcolorectal cancerandscreening. Study Selection Randomized clinical trials of US-based interventions in clinical settings designed to improve CRC screening test completion in average-risk adults. Data Extraction and Synthesis At least 2 investigators independently extracted data and appraised each study’s risk of bias. Where sufficient data were available, random-effects meta-analysis was used to obtain either a pooled risk ratio (RR) or risk difference (RD) for screening completion for each type of intervention. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcome was completion of CRC screening. Examination included interventions to increase completion of (1) initial CRC screening by any recommended modality, (2) colonoscopy after an abnormal initial screening test result, and (3) continued rounds of annual fecal blood tests (FBTs). Results The main review included 73 randomized clinical trials comprising 366 766 patients at low or medium risk of bias. Interventions that were associated with increased CRC screening completion rates compared with usual care included FBT outreach (RR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.81-2.81; RD, 22%; 95% CI, 17%-27%), patient navigation (RR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.64-2.46; RD, 18%; 95% CI, 13%-23%), patient education (RR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.06-1.36; RD, 4%; 95% CI, 1%-6%), patient reminders (RR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.02-1.41; RD, 3%; 95% CI, 0%-5%), clinician interventions of academic detailing (RD, 10%; 95% CI, 3%-17%), and clinician reminders (RD, 13%; 95% CI, 8%-19%). Combinations of interventions (clinician interventions or navigation added to FBT outreach) were associated with greater increases than single components (RR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.09-1.29; RD, 7%; 95% CI, 3%-11%). Repeated mailed FBTs with navigation were associated with increased annual FBT completion (RR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.91-2.29; RD, 39%; 95% CI, 29%-49%). Patient navigation was not associated with colonoscopy completion after an initial abnormal screening test result (RR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.92-1.60; RD, 14%; 95% CI, 0%-29%). Conclusions and Relevance Fecal blood test outreach and patient navigation, particularly in the context of multicomponent interventions, were associated with increased CRC screening rates in US trials. Fecal blood test outreach should be incorporated into population-based screening programs. More research is needed on interventions to increase adherence to continued FBTs, follow-up of abnormal initial screening test results, and cost-effectiveness and other implementation barriers for more intensive interventions, such as navigation.
Examining Colorectal Cancer Risk Awareness and Food Shelf Use Among Health Center Patients.

To employ the Colorectal Cancer Risk Awareness for Public Health Prevention (CRC-PHP) survey to examine how food shelf use and other covariates predict awareness of colorectal cancer (CRC) risk factors among patients of a Federally Qualified Health Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Secondary aims included describing the demographic and chronic-disease characteristics of the patient population and assessing their general knowledge of additional CRC risk factors and intent to make healthy food selections in the near future. Measures included CRC risk awareness, food shelf use, chronic-disease status, and intent to select healthy food options. Regression models and chi-square tests of independence were employed to examine differences among food shelf users and non-users. Among the 103 patients surveyed, 29% reported using a food shelf in the last 12 months. Forty-seven percent of food shelf users and 38% of non-users reported having at least 1 diet-related condition (e.g., type 2 diabetes mellitus). Food shelf users scored 1.2 points higher than non-users, on average, on the CRC risk-factor awareness scale. They also answered more survey questions correctly regarding fruit and vegetable intake and its effect on CRC risk (p = 0.035). Most participants reported being likely to purchase health-promoting foods in the future. In addition, participants reported being likely to select foods that were labeled as protective against CRC. Behavioral interventions exist that are focused on preventing and managing type II diabetes among food shelf users. Building off such interventions and incorporating behavioral economics components (such as nudges and product labels) has the potential to reduce food shelf customers’ heightened risk and management of CRC.
Information Fusion Process Design Issues for Hard and Soft Information: Developing an Initial Prototype

The Data and Information Fusion (DIF) process can be argued to have three main functions: Common Referencing (CR) (also known as “Alignment”), Data Association (DA), and State Estimation, as shown in Fig. 1.
Diagnostic utility of penile ultrasound in Peyronie’s disease

To review the literature regarding the use of penile ultrasound in the evaluation and management of Peyronie’s disease. A literature review was performed using PubMed from 1980 to 2018 using the keywords: Peyronie’s disease, ultrasound, sonography, calcification, penile fracture, and penile hematoma. Articles were reviewed for study size, image protocols, and findings. In addition, we reviewed images from 227 penile ultrasounds performed on Peyronie’s disease patients at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center between 2014 and 2018. Through extensive urological and radiographic literature review over the last four decades, common patterns and characteristic of Peyronie’s plaques were identified. These characteristics are not always delineated by physical examination alone. The ultrasound images often added objective information including etiology of erectile dysfunction and location or plaques, and presence of calcifications which aid in patient counseling and treatment protocols. The use of B-mode ultrasound with color Doppler in the evaluation and management of Peyronie’s disease is a quick, cost-effective process that provides objective information that can assist the urologist in the treatment of patients with Peyronie’s disease.
Degradation of coatings for steel in environments susceptible to corrosion associated with fouling

AbstractSteel piles in a Florida bridge showed severe localised corrosion uncharacteristic of the general corrosion typically found in marine environments. Sampling from the water and the steel pil...
PARP goes the weasel! Emerging role of PARP inhibitors in acute leukemias

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, which induce synthetic lethality of BRCA mutant breast and ovarian cancers, are now under active exploration for treatment of acute leukemias, specifically acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Experimental data has revealed that DNA repair deficiencies similar to those found in BRCA mutant solid tumors function in malignant hematopoietic cells to enhance cell survival and promote therapy resistance. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that inhibition of PARP with a variety of agents can dramatically enhance the efficacy of other therapeutic approaches including cytotoxic and epigenetic chemotherapy, small molecule inhibitors (IDH and FLT3 inhibitors) and antibody drug conjugates. This has led to early stage clinical trials of multiple PARP inhibitors (PARPi) for AML patients. Despite small patient numbers, evidence of modest clinical efficacy and tolerability in combinatorial regimens support the further development of PARP inhibition as a novel therapeutic strategy for AML, particularly in select molecular subsets (MLL rearranged, FLT3 and IDH1 mutant disease.
The impact of discomfort with HIV status and hopelessness on depressive symptoms among adolescents living with HIV in Uganda.

Introduction: Discomfort with and reluctance to disclose HIV status can lead to depression, social isolation, and poor medication adherence; we examined relationships among these variables within a...
Δ-Σ Integrator and Differentiator

Digital integrators and differentiators are an integral part of many systems like control, communications, audio, medical, and DSP in general. Both digital integrators and differentiators can be classified as finite impulse response (FIR) or infinite impulse response (IIR) filters. IIR digital solutions are preferred because their implementation is simpler, and they have much better magnitude response. However, their phase characteristics are not linear in comparison with FIR filters, which can cause problems in some applications. The frequency response of an ideal integrator is
Modeling of a valve-type low-pressure homogenizer for oil-in-water emulsions

Abstract The geometric configuration of a valve-type homogenizer can have a significant influence on the performance of the emulsification process. Three new variants of low-pressure valve-type homogenizers which differ from one another by how the valve nose profiles and the upstream fluid chamber geometries are constructed were used to study fluid flow characteristics. All the three variants were conceived such that hydrodynamic cavitation can be induced as the oil-in-water emulsion passes through the valve. The computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations showed that by changing the valve nose shape from smooth profile to serrated nose profile, a substantially higher strain rate in the gap can be achieved, leading to higher stress on the droplet thus increasing the emulsification efficiency. The CFD simulations have also demonstrated that, incorporating a stagnation bluff in the upstream chamber results in a violence collapse of cavitating bubbles. This in turn promotes turbulence inertial and viscous effects which are essential parameters for enhancing emulsification efficiency. Droplet size analysis of oil-in-water emulsions from the physical experiments found that the serrated nose valve profile and the bluff in the chamber resulted in a mean droplet size of about 95 nm.
Pregnancy and Epilepsy

Women with epilepsy who become pregnant are often of significant concern to both neurologists and non-neurologists alike. It is important to understand the pharmacokinetic changes that occur with pregnancy to ensure proper dosing of antiseizure medication. Preconceptional counseling and supplementation with folate are essential to mitigate risks to both mother and fetus during development, especially in the first trimester. Usage of antiseizure medication involves preparation prior to pregnancy to achieve seizure freedom and minimize risk from exposure to antiseizure drugs that are known to carry higher risk of teratogenicity, such as valproate or phenobarbital. Further, the optimal management of pregnant women includes antiseizure drugs that limit unnecessary exposure to polytherapy and high doses of antiseizure medication where possible. Additional management of seizure risk factors that can lead to aggravation of seizures such as ensuring avoidance of sleep deprivation and non-adherence are important issues to discuss during routine clinic visitation.
Race talk: How racial worldview impacts discussions in interracial relationships:

Using a mixed-method approach, this study investigates how individuals believe race impacts their interracial relationship. Two-hundred and three individuals representing diverse racial-gender comp...
Towards precision medicine in heart failure

The number of therapies for heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction has nearly doubled in the past decade. In addition, new therapies for HF caused by hypertrophic and infiltrative disease are emerging rapidly. Indeed, we are on the verge of a new era in HF in which insights into the biology of myocardial disease can be matched to an understanding of the genetic predisposition in an individual patient to inform precision approaches to therapy. In this Review, we summarize the biology of HF, emphasizing the causal relationships between genetic contributors and traditional structure-based remodelling outcomes, and highlight the mechanisms of action of traditional and novel therapeutics. We discuss the latest advances in our understanding of both the Mendelian genetics of cardiomyopathy and the complex genetics of the clinical syndrome presenting as HF. In the phenotypic domain, we discuss applications of machine learning for the subcategorization of HF in ways that might inform rational prescribing of medications. We aim to bridge the gap between the biology of the failing heart, its diverse clinical presentations and the range of medications that we can now use to treat it. We present a roadmap for the future of precision medicine in HF.
Nanoplasmonic magneto-optical isolator [Invited]

We introduce a nanoplasmonic isolator that consists of a cylindrical resonator placed close to a metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) waveguide. The material filling the waveguide and resonator is a magneto-optical (MO) material, and the structure is under an externally applied static magnetic field. We theoretically investigate the properties of the structure and show that the cavity mode without MO activity splits into two modes when the MO activity is present. In addition, we find that the presence of the MDM waveguide leads to a second resonance due to the geometrical asymmetry caused by the existence of the waveguide. We also show that, when MO activity is present, the cavity becomes a traveling wave resonator. Thus, the transmission of the structure depends on the direction of the incident light, and the proposed structure operates as an optical isolator.
Disability Among Young Adults With Congenital Heart Defects: Congenital Heart Survey to Recognize Outcomes, Needs, and Well-Being 2016-2019.

Background Disabilities have implications for health, well‐being, and health care, yet limited information is available on the percentage of adults with congenital heart defects (CHD) living with d...
A Method for Determining the Causes of Salesperson Turnover

AbstractWhen a company experiences substantial turnover in its salesforce, efforts to determine the causes of turnover by terminal inteview often are inadequate because the salespeople who leave may bias their answers in order to get good job recommendations for other positions. This paper presents an alternative method for determining the causes of high salesperson turnover rates.
Carbon Sequestration Versus Fossil Fuel Substitution: Alternative Roles for Biomass in Coping With Greenhouse Warming

Displacing fossil fuel with biomass grown sustainably and converted into useful energy with modern conversion technologies would be more effective in decreasing atmospheric CO2 than sequestering carbon in trees. Some industrial restructuring would be required to bring about a major energy role for biomass. However, the prospect that electricity and liquid fuel from biomass could often be less costly than from coal and petroleum makes this strategy for coping with greenhouse warming inherently easier to implement than many alternatives.
Methylation of Ribosomal Proteins in Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli was grown in a medium containing [1-(14)C]methionine and [methyl-(3)H]methionine, and the (3)H/(14)C ratio was determined for each of the ribosomal proteins derived from the 70S ribosome. Evidence indicates that six proteins from the 50S subunit were methylated: L7, L9, L11, L12, L18, and L33. Methylation of several other 50S proteins (such as L1, L3, L5, etc.) may also occur. The methylated amino acids in protein L11 have been characterized further and found to be predominately epsilon-trimethyllysine. A small amount of a compound tentatively identified as N(G), N'(G)-dimethylarginine was also detected.
Averaging and Energy Methods for Robust Open-Loop Control of Mechanical Systems

A recent body of literature has introduced a novel approach to analysis and design of simple nonlinear control laws for mechanical systems using an energy-like function called the averaged potential. The present paper surveys the theory that has been developed over the past several years, while at the same time providing a detailed look at some new applications—principal among which are rotating heavy chains. The theory concerns averaging of Hamiltonian systems in which selected generalized velocities play the role of control inputs which are commanded to execute high-frequency oscillations. It is not yet a complete theory, and in cases where it does not characterize the stability of motions (such as in the cases we have called hovering motions), numerical methods have been used to make detailed comparisons of the averaged and nonautonomous system dynamics.
A nondegenerate Vuong test

In this paper, I propose a one-step nondegenerate test as an alternative to the classical Vuong (1989) tests. I show that the new test achieves uniformasymptotic size control in both the overlapping and the non-overlapping cases, while the classical Vuong tests do not.Meanwhile, the power of the new test can be substantially better than the two-step classical Vuong test and is not dominated by the one-step classical Vuong test. An extension to moment-based models is also developed. I apply the new test to the voter turnout data set of Coate and Conlin (2004) and find that it can yield model comparison conclusions different from those of the classical tests. The implementation of the new test is straightforward and can be done using theMATLAB and STATA routines that accompany this paper.
Knockdown of UDP-glucose dehydrogenase in INS-1 832/13 cells inhibits insulin release (767.12)

Introduction: Our unpublished mass spectrometry studies of pancreatic islet insulin-producing cells, as well as a published study by others, showed that several nucleotide-sugar compounds increased...
A Branching/Merging Strategy for Parallel Software Development

In many software configuration management (SCM) systems, branching and merging are fundamental operations, supporting isolation and integration (respectively). Unfortunately, the obvious branching and merging strategies have unpleasant consequences. This paper presents a less obvious branching and merging strategy, for parallel software development, which does not suffer these consequences. In particular, it presents a way of updating an active branch from a new baseline. The strategy can be described as "merging at a label." It has been successful at managing unnecessary branch proliferation and change isolation in an industrial SCM environment.
Influence of Relativistic Electron Precipitation on the Lower Ionosphere and Stratosphere

Under geomagnetically quiet conditions there is a pronounced deficiency in energy deposition capable of ionizing the lower mesosphere and upper stratosphere. The precipitation of energetic outer radiation zone electrons can therefore provide the dominant ionization source at such altitudes, particularly during geomagnetically disturbed periods. The general importance of this energy input has already been stressed in the review talk by J. B. Reagen (1977). At relativistic energies (≳ 500 kev) the precipitating electrons deposit their energy near the base of the mesosphere; and the concomitant Bremsstrahlung X-rays provide additional energy deposition deep into the stratosphere.