cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of Variants in Candidate Genes with Lipid Profiles in Women with Early Breast Cancer on Adjuvant Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy.

Purpose: Aromatase inhibitors can exert unfavorable effects on lipid profiles; however, previous studies have reported inconsistent results. We describe the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in candidate genes with lipid profiles in women treated with adjuvant aromatase inhibitors. Experimental Design: We conducted a prospective observational study to test the associations between SNPs in candidate genes in estrogen signaling and aromatase inhibitor metabolism pathways with fasting lipid profiles during the first 3 months of aromatase inhibitor therapy in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer randomized to adjuvant letrozole or exemestane. We performed genetic association analysis and multivariable linear regressions using dominant, recessive, and additive models. Results: A total of 303 women had complete genetic and lipid data and were evaluable for analysis. In letrozole-treated patients, SNPs in CYP19A1 , including rs4646, rs10046, rs700518, rs749292, rs2289106, rs3759811, and rs4775936 were significantly associated with decreases in triglycerides by 20.2 mg/dL and 39.3 mg/dL ( P < 0.00053), respectively, and with variable changes in high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) from decreases by 4.2 mg/dL to increases by 9.8 mg/dL ( P < 0.00053). Conclusions: Variants in CYP19A1 are associated with decreases in triglycerides and variable changes in HDL-C in postmenopausal women on adjuvant aromatase inhibitors. Future studies are needed to validate these findings, and to identify breast cancer survivors who are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease with aromatase inhibitor therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 22(6); 1395–402. ©2015 AACR .
International Organizations and the Production of Indicators: The Case of Freedom House

This chapter prevents original archival research concerning the indicators produced by a prominent international organization, Freedom House. The chapter presents historical evidence on the social processes behind this organization and its indicator, and discusses ways that conditions of production influence the kinds of knowledge that indicators provide. The chapter also explores some normative implications of these findings.
PV and Batteries: From a Past of Remote Power to a Future of Saving the Grid

Effective grid penetration depends on successful integration of photovoltaic (PV)-based generation and electric energy storage. Historically, PV generation has represented a small fraction of this country's power generation, and it has been standard practice to disconnect the PV unit from the grid whenever the grid was under stress, in order to avoid islanding effects. This strategy is no longer efficient now that PV-based generation represents a larger portion of total electricity generated. The authors describe challenges associated with combining PV with electric energy storage as well as opportunities that this integration presents.
Soft Chemistry Synthesis and Characterization of Layered Li1-xNi1-yCoyO2-δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1 and 0 ≤ y ≤ 1)

Li1-xNi1-yCoyO2-δ oxides have been synthesized for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 and 0 ≤ y ≤ 1 by chemically extracting lithium at ambient temperature from LiNi1-yCoyO2 with an oxidizing agent NO2PF6 in acetonitrile medium. The samples have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, wet-chemical analyses to determine lithium and oxygen contents, and infrared spectroscopy. While the nickel-rich end members Ni1-yCoyO2-δ have the O3 structure similar to the initial LiNiO2, but with smaller lattice parameters, the cobalt-rich end members Ni1-yCoyO2-δ consist of a mixture of P3 and O1 phases that are formed from the initial O3 structure of LiCoO2 by a sliding of the oxide-ion layers. The nickel-rich phases Li1-xNi1-yCoyO2-δ have an oxygen content close to 2 with a negligible amount of oxygen vacancies, while the cobalt-rich phases have considerable amount of oxygen vacancies (δ = 0.33 in CoO2-δ). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicates a semiconductor to metal transition in Li1-xCoO2-δ for (1 − x) < 0.77. On the other han...
TU-H-BRB-03: The BARDA Chemical/Radiological/Nuclear Countermeasures Effort

The US government has substantial research and development activities underway for medical countermeasures that will insure the long-term safety and survival of the country's population after unfortunate large-scale biological, chemical and radiological and nuclear events. Preparedness includes research and development of medical countermeasures to address radiation-induced cutaneous and internal injury from radiation and nuclear events as well as for minimizing radiation risks incurred during and after travel in space. Other important research and development efforts include the repurposing of countermeasures and development of radioprotectors and mitigators to improve the outcome of radiation treatment. Participating agencies include NIAID, BARDA, NCI, and NASA, with examples of research and development funding that includes the Centers for Medical Countermeasures against Radiation (CMCR) consortia (NIAID) and primary and sub-contracts with commercial entities (BARDA). Each of these programs requires substantial medical and health physics effort in collaboration with biology colleagues to provide a range of radiation sources, dosimetry instrumentation and assessment methods, and animal models for specific radiation-induced effects and injuries. Radiation countermeasure activities for government agencies will be reviewed, the importance of model development will be stressed, example radiation countermeasure research projects will be reviewed, and the roles for medical physicists will be discussed. Learning Objectives: 1.Review US national radiation countermeasure activities. 2.Review the roles for medical physicists in radiation countermeasures research and development. 3.Understand specific physics challenges in radiation research that need solutions. Research for JD Bourland supported in part by: NIH/NIAID, U19 AI67798 (subcontract 131714). NIH/NCI, R01CA155293. HHSO10020130019C, BARDA/Argentum Medical LLC.; J. Bourland, Research supported in part by: NIH/NIAID, U19 AI67798 (subcontract 131714); NIH/NCI, R01CA155293; HHSO10020130019C, BARDA/Argentum Medical LLC.; P. Prasanna, Supported by the Radiation Research Program, National Cancer Institute
Steady-State Security Assessment

System security corresponds to the ability of the power system to withstand some unforseen, but probable, disturbances, with the minimal disruption of service or its quality. In the area of system planning, the issue of reliability plays an important role. System security is the counterpart of system reliability in the field of power system operation.
Dandy-Walker malformation in the Meckel syndrome.

The Meckel syndrome (MS) is an autosomal recessive disorder classically defined by the triad of occipital encephalocele, multicystic kidneys, and polydactyly. Here we describe 3 sibs with varying manifestations of MS. The propositus had isolated cystic renal disease. The other sibs were both prenatally diagnosed with renal disease, polydactyly, and the Dandy-Walker malformation, an unusual central nervous system defect in MS. These findings are discussed in the context of the phenotypic expression of MS and the nosology of this disorder and the cerebro-reno-digital (Meckel-like) syndromes. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Topological Dynamics and Its Relation to Integral Equations and Nonautonomous Systems

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the role of the theory of topological dynamics in the study of nonautonomous ordinary differential equations and Volterra integral equations. It focuses on the main developments in this field within the last five years. The main problem in studying non autonomous systems of ordinary differential equations is the embedding of a time parameter in a suitable space. The chapter also focuses on the dynamical structure of integral equations, and the asymptotic properties of solutions and the limiting equations. It also presents an analysis of the theories of the existence of periodic and almost periodic solutions.
The Most Social Games: Predictors of Social Media Uses During the 2016 Rio Olympics

Social media has substantially changed how people consume media content, particularly during sport mega-events. This study examined the audience social media uses during the “most social Olympics” ...
Robust shape correspondence via spherical patch matching for atlases of partial skull models

Problems of dense partial correspondence for meshes of variable topology are ubiquitous in medical imaging. In particular, this problem arises when constructing average shapes and probabilistic atlases of partial skull models. We exploit the roughly spherical extrinsic geometry of the skull to first approximate skull models with shapes of spherical topology. The skulls are then matched parametrically via a non-local non-linear landmark search using normalized spherical cross-correlation of curvature features. A dense spherical registration algorithm is then applied for a final correspondence. We show that the non-local step is crucial for accurate mappings. We apply the entire pipeline to low SNR skull meshes extracted from conical CT images. Our results show that the approach is robust for creating averages for families of shapes that deviate significantly from local isometry.
She Would If She Could : Comedy of Manners

The excitement generated by Etherege’s first play, The Comical Revenge (1664), clearly endured the four-year hiatus until the premiere of his next comedy, for when She Would If She Could opened on 6 February 1668, the Duke of York’s Theatre immediately filled to capacity. Regrettably, for those who attended the opening performance, She Would If She Could did not meet with the same degree of success accorded his first comedy. The inveterate playgoer Samuel Pepys found ‘nothing in the world good in it’, adding that patrons in the pit ‘blame the play as a silly, dull thing, though there was something very roguish and witty; but the design of the play, and end, mighty insipid’.1 Etherege attributed the play’s failure to the actors’ lack of preparation and unfamiliarity with their lines, and his accusations were corroborated a few years later by Thomas Shadwell, who, in his preface to The Humorists (1671) — a play also hampered by poor acting on its premiere — remarked that ‘imperfect Action, had like to have destroy’d She would if she could’. However, regardless of the reasons for the cool reception at the premiere, the play’s initial failure did not eclipse its dramatic merits: John Dennis, in his Epistle Dedicatory to The Comical Gallant (1702), said ‘it was esteem’d by the Men of Sense, for the trueness of some of its Characters, and the purity and freeness and easie grace of its dialogue’ — distinctive dramatic qualities that earned it performances at Whitehall and praise in Shadwell’s preface as ‘the best Comedy that has been written since the Restauration of the Stage’.2
STRUCTURAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR TRANSLATIONAL USE AND ENGINEERING OF HUMAN PERIOSTEUM

Summary Statement Thickness and cellularity of human periosteum are important parameters both for engineering replacement tissue as well as for surgeons looking to minimise tissue damage while harvesting the most viable periosteum possible for autologous regenerative therapies. This study provides a new foundation for understanding the basic structural features of middiaphyseal periosteum from femora and tibiae of aged donors. Introduction A number of recent studies describe mechanical, permeability and regenerative properties of periosteal tissue and periosteum derived cells in a variety of animal models [1,2]. However, due to lack of access in healthy patients, the structural properties underlying human periosteum9s inherent regenerative power and advanced material properties are not well understood. Periosteum comprises a cellular cambium layer directly apposing the outer surface of bone and an outer fibrous layer encompassed by the surrounding soft tissues. As a first step to elucidate periosteum9s structural and cellular characteristics in human bone, the current study aims to measure cambium and fibrous layer thickness as well as cambium cellularity in human femora and tibiae of aged donors. Methods Five cm segments of the mid-diaphysis were harvested from the left and right tibiae and femora of formalin-fixed cadavers donated to the Department of Anatomy at the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich. Overlying skin and musculature was preserved during embedding to avoid disruption of periosteal tissue. A total of 29 mid-diaphyseal samples were collected from eight donors, aged between 68 and 99. Cambium layer thickness, fibrous thickness and cambium cell number were measured at regular 100 μm intervals from the centroidal axis along the bone9s outer surface (ImageJ 1.42q). The major and minor centroidal axes (CA) serve as automated reference points in cross sections of cadaveric mid-diaphyseal femora and tibiae. Results Based on the results of this study, within a given individual, the cambium layer of the major CA of the tibia is significantly thicker and more cellular than the respective layer of the femur. These significant intraindividual differences do not translate to significant interindividual differences. Further, mid-diaphyseal periosteal measures including cambium and fibrous layer thickness and cellularity do not correlate significantly with age or body mass. Finally, qualitative observations of periosteum in amputated and contralateral or proximal long bones of the lower extremity exhibit stark changes in layer organization, thickness, and cellularity. Discussion/Conclusion In a translational context, these unprecedented data, though inherently limited by availability and accessibility of human mid-diaphyseal periosteum tissue, provide important reference values for use of periosteum in context of facilitated healing and regeneration of tissue.
Introduction: Assisting Young Children Caught in Disasters

This chapter provides an introduction to the volume. More specifically, it introduces the main topics and the organization of the volume, shares some similarities and common challenges among the chapters, and discusses the limitations of the volume. The chapter is closed with summarizing the goals of the book.
Persistent organic pollutants as predictors of increased FSH:LH ratio in naturally cycling, reproductive age women.

Abstract Although several recent studies suggest endocrine disrupting compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p′, DDE), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), target different organs and systems in the body, their impact on female reproductive function in humans is not well characterized. We seek to determine the relationship between several known endocrine disrupting compounds and a marker of ovarian responsivity, the FSH:LH ratio (higher ratio indicates less ovarian responsivity). For this analysis, 169 naturally cycling women between 21 and 38 years of age completed interviews and had their blood drawn on day 3 of their menstrual cycle for analyses of toxicants, gonadal sex hormones (E2 and P4), and gonadotropins (FSH and LH). PCB congeners were classified into five groups based on their environmental persistence, distribution in human tissue, and toxicological action, reflecting the structure, mechanism, and known biological activity of individual PCB congeners. For every unit (ppb) increase in the level of the estrogenic PCB group, there was a 5-fold greater risk of a FSH:LH ratio ≥ 2, controlling for individual differences in age, percent body fat, cycle day 3 estradiol levels, parity, alcohol use and cigarette smoking in the past year (exp[s] = 5; p = ≤0.01). PCB congeners identified as estrogenic were analyzed individually, and, of the 19 potentially estrogenic congeners, five were significantly, and positively related to an increased FSH:LH ratio. Four of these congeners are non-persistent, easily volatilize in the environment, and are easily metabolized, and hence, are indicative of very recent or current exposure. p,p′-DDE and HCB were not associated with FSH:LH ratio. We find a clinical indicator of ovarian responsivity, FSH:LH ratio, is associated with a specific group of estrogenic PCBs. These congeners may become airborne when they volatilize from dredged PCB-contaminated soil or from indoor PCB-containing window caulk and sealants in older buildings leading to inhalation exposure. PCB exposure, particularly to non-persistent, estrogenic congeners, may pose an unrecognized threat to female fecundity within the general population.
A one-step method for modelling longitudinal data with differential equations.

Differential equation models are frequently used to describe non-linear trajectories of longitudinal data. This study proposes a new approach to estimate the parameters in differential equation models. Instead of estimating derivatives from the observed data first and then fitting a differential equation to the derivatives, our new approach directly fits the analytic solution of a differential equation to the observed data, and therefore simplifies the procedure and avoids bias from derivative estimations. A simulation study indicates that the analytic solutions of differential equations (ASDE) approach obtains unbiased estimates of parameters and their standard errors. Compared with other approaches that estimate derivatives first, ASDE has smaller standard error, larger statistical power and accurate Type I error. Although ASDE obtains biased estimation when the system has sudden phase change, the bias is not serious and a solution is also provided to solve the phase problem. The ASDE method is illustrated and applied to a two-week study on consumers' shopping behaviour after a sale promotion, and to a set of public data tracking participants' grammatical facial expression in sign language. R codes for ASDE, recommendations for sample size and starting values are provided. Limitations and several possible expansions of ASDE are also discussed.
Impact of Passive Laboratory Alerts on Navigating Electronic Health Records in Intensive Care Simulations

Passive alerts highlighting abnormal results in the electronic health record (EHR) are abundant. However, their impact on EHR use and contribution to alert fatigue remains unknown. We examined the ...
DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF PLANTAIN FIBRE EXTRACTION MACHINE

The traditional retting technique of extracting plantain fibres is faced with various constraints such as longer extraction time and poor fibre production rate. This study is targeted at overcoming the limitations associated with traditional methods of extracting plantain fibres through the development of electrically powered machine capable of extracting plantain fibres. The method employed involves the selection of appropriate materials, design, fabrication and assembly of the various components of the machine parts. From the analysis a 2 horsepower electric motor is required to drive the machine. The length of flat-belt required to drive the pulley was 1.47 m at an angle of lap on the smaller pulley of 2.87 rad. A resultant load of 174.87 N act on 11.6 mm diameter shaft with maximum bending moment of 10.33 Nm. The total weight of shaft, pulping drum and bearing on frame was 67.51 N. Also, a force of 150 N, 200 N and 250 N could pulp a thickness of plantain ribs of approximately, 6 mm, 6.5 mm and 7 mm, respectively. The test result showed that the machine could extract a sliced pseudo stem thickness between 4.0 mm and 10 mm at 27 and 42 seconds, respectively. It is expected that the plantain fibre extraction machine fabricated would save plantain fibre production time.Keywords: Plantain fibres, Pseudo stem, extraction machine, retting technique
Formation of arrays of planar, murine, intestinal crypts possessing a stem/proliferative cell compartment and differentiated cell zone

A simple, in vitro intestinal model recapitulating key aspects of crypt architecture and physiology would facilitate our understanding the impact of drugs, foods and microbial metabolites on the intestine. To address the limitations of previously reported intestinal in vitro platforms, we developed a planar crypt array that replicated the spatial segregation and physiologic responses of primary mouse intestinal epithelial cells in the large intestine. Collagen was coated across an impermeable film possessing an array of microholes creating two regions of distinct stiffness and porosity (above and outside the microholes). Primary mouse colon epithelial cells formed a continuous monolayer across the array with a proliferative cell zone above the microholes and a nonproliferative or differentiated cell region distant from the microholes. Formation of a chemical gradient of growth factors across the array yielded a more complete or in vivo-like cell segregation of proliferative and differentiated cells with cell migration outward from the proliferative cell zone into the differentiated zone to replace apoptotic dying cells much as occurs in vivo. Short chain fatty acids (microbial metabolites) applied to the luminal surface of the crypt array significantly impacted the proliferation and differentiation of the cells replicating the known in vivo effects of these fatty acids. Importantly this planar crypt array was readily fabricated and maintained, easily imaged with properties quantified by microscopy, and compatible with reagent addition to either the luminal or basal fluid reservoirs. The ability to observe simultaneously stem/proliferative and differentiated cell behavior and movement between these two compartments in response to drugs, toxins, inflammatory mediators or microbial metabolites will be of widespread utility.
Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic (EM) energy has been used for heating deep tissues since the early 1900’s. Diathermy using shortwaves or microwaves has been shown to increase extensibility of collagen tissues, to decrease joint stiffness, to relieve pain, and to reduce muscle spasms and, therefore, is widely used in physical therapy (Lehmann 1982). Recently diathermy or hyperthermia has been used as part of cancer therapy (Storm 1983). While therapeutic effects on patients have been reported, there are up to 7000 papers and abstracts now on the subject of biological effects of electromagnetic waves. Massive information contains both positive and negative effects and many of them are very controversial. It is impossible to provide a complete review of the literature on the biological effects of electromagnetic waves in this paper. For interested readers, a few books, book chapters, and special journal issues, are recommended (Gordon 1970, Presman 1970, Marha et al. 1971, Tyler 1975, Baranski and Czerski 1976, Gandhi 1980, Michaelson 1982, Cleary 1983, Adair 1983, Osepchuk 1983, Toler 1984, Radio Science Vol.12 No.6(S), Vol.14 No.6(S), Vol.17 No.5(S), Bioelectromagnetics, Journal of Microwave Power).
Coping with Handicap

All of us can truly learn and grow together if we participate in the challenge of entering into a living dialogue with others on the concerns that we are focused on in this volume. They are not empty, dull, or academic concerns (although we can often present them that way), but represent crucial and dynamic issues that have or will directly affect us all. One of the difficulties in joining in such a discussion is the very fact that it is personal. All of us are vulnerable and have loved ones who are vulnerable. We all will have to live with experiences of difficulty, pain, sadness, and disability in our own lives, either from our own life situations or from those close to us. Those close to us are also our own life situations.
Condylomata Acuminata (Anogenital Warts) Contain Accumulations of HIV-1 Target Cells That May Provide Portals for HIV Transmission.

Background Condylomata acuminata (anogenital warts [AGWs]) are prevalent in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals and sexually active populations at risk for HIV acquisition and have been associated with HIV transmission. We compared AGW specimens to control tissue specimens for abundance, types, and location of HIV target cells and for susceptibility to HIV infection in vitro, to provide biologic evidence that AGWs facilitate HIV transmission. Methods We used immunohistologic staining to identify HIV target cells in AGW and control specimens. We also inoculated HIV in vitro into AGW and control specimens from HIV-negative men and assessed infection by means of TZM-bl and p24 assays. Results CD1a+ dendritic cells, CD4+ T cells, and macrophages were significantly more abundant in the epidermis of AGW specimens than control specimens. These HIV target cells also often appeared in large focal accumulations in the dermis of AGW specimens. Two of 8 AGW specimens versus 0 of 8 control specimens showed robust infection with HIV in vitro. Conclusions Compared with normal skin, AGWs contain significantly higher concentrations of HIV target cells that may be susceptible to HIV infection. Condylomata may thus promote HIV transmission, especially in the setting of typical lesion vascularity and friability. Prevention or treatment of AGWs may decrease the sexual transmission of HIV.
Polarization-resolved second harmonic generation imaging of human ovarian cancer

Remodeling of the extracellular matrix in human ovarian cancer can be manifested in increased collagen concentration, changes in alignment within fibrils/fibers and/or up-regulation of different collagen isoforms. We used pixel-based second harmonic generation (SHG) polarization microscopy analyses to probe these molecular changes in human ovarian tissues [normal stroma, benign tumors, and high-grade serous (HGS) tumors] by: (i) determination of the α-helical pitch angle via the single-axis molecular model, (ii) collagen alignment within fibrils via SHG anisotropy, and (iii) chirality via SHG circular dichroism (SHG-CD). Pixel approaches are required due to the complex structure of the matrix that lacks a high degree of fiber alignment. The largest differences in the helical pitch angle were between normal stroma and benign tumors, consistent with gene expression showing the Col III isoform is up-regulated in the latter. The data were not consistent with up-regulation of Col III in HGS tumors as previous reports have suggested. The different tissues also displayed differing SHG anisotropies and SHG-CD responses, consistent with either Col III incorporation or randomization of Col I alignment within benign and malignant tumors. Additionally, the high-grade tumors displayed higher collagen concentration, where this desmoplasia is consistent with the higher fiber density in these tissues. These results collectively indicate that the fibril assemblies are distinct in all tissues, where these differences likely result from the synthesis of collagen rather than remodeling of existing collagen. Importantly, these analyses are label-free and interrogate subresolution collagen structure on intact tissues, without the need for conventional structural biology tools.
Engineering Meteorology: The Weathering of Exposed Surfaces by Atmospheric Pollution

The topic is approached from the viewpoint of community air-pollution programs and control. After a brief discussion of the economic costs of atmospheric pollution in an industrial area, a skeleton...
Pleasantness Ratings for Harmonic Intervals With Acoustic and Electric Hearing in Unilaterally Deaf Cochlear Implant Patients.

Background: Harmony is an important part of tonal music that conveys context, form and emotion. Two notes sounded simultaneously form a harmonic interval. In normal-hearing (NH) listeners, some harmonic intervals (e.g., minor 2nd, tritone, major 7th) typically sound more dissonant than others (e.g., octave, major 3rd, 4th). Because of the limited spectro-temporal resolution afforded by cochlear implants (CIs), music perception is generally poor. However, CI users may still be sensitive to relative dissonance across intervals. In this study, dissonance ratings for harmonic intervals were measured in 11 unilaterally-deaf CI patients, in whom ratings from the CI could be compared to those from the normal ear. Methods: Stimuli consisted of pairs of equal amplitude MIDI piano tones. Intervals spanned a range of two octaves relative to two root notes (F3 or C4). Dissonance was assessed in terms of subjective pleasantness ratings for intervals presented to the NH ear alone, the CI ear alone, and both ears together (NH+CI). Ratings were collected for both root notes for within- and across-octave intervals (1-12 and 13-24 semitones). Participants rated the pleasantness of each interval by clicking on a line anchored with “least pleasant” and “most pleasant”. A follow-up experiment repeated the task with a smaller stimulus set. Results: With NH-only listening, within-octave intervals minor 2nd, major 2nd, and major 7th were rated least pleasant; major 3rd, 5th, and octave were rated most pleasant. Across-octave counterparts were similarly rated. With CI-only listening, ratings were consistently lower and showed a reduced range. Mean ratings were highly correlated between NH-only and CI-only listening (r=0.845, p< 0.001). Ratings were similar between NH-only and NH+CI listening, with no significant binaural enhancement/interference. The follow-up tests showed that ratings were reliable for the least and most pleasant intervals. Discussion: Although pleasantness ratings were less differentiated for the CI ear than the NH ear, there were similarities between the two listening modes. Given the lack of spectro-temporal detail needed for harmonicity-based distinctions, temporal envelope interactions (within and across channels) associated with a perception of roughness may contribute to dissonance perception for harmonic intervals with CI-only listening.
New Era: Endoscopic treatment options in obesity–a paradigm shift

The prevalence of obesity continues to rise, and along with it comes a multitude of health-related consequences. The healthcare community has consistently struggled with providing treatment options to obese patients, in part due to the reluctance of patients in pursuing the more effective (yet invasive) surgical approaches such as sleeve gastrectomy and Rou-en-Y gastric bypass. On the other hand, the less invasive approach such as lifestyle/behavioral interventions and pharmacotherapy (Orlistat, Phenteramine, Phentermine/Topiramate, Locaserin, Naltrexon/Buproprion, and Liraglutide) have very limited efficacy, especially in the morbidly obese patients. Despite our best efforts, the epidemic of obesity continues to rise and pose enormous costs on our healthcare system and society. Bariatric endoscopy is an evolving field generated to combat this epidemic through minimally invasive techniques. These procedures can be performed in an ambulatory setting, are potentially reversible, repeatable, and pose less complications than their invasive surgical counterparts. These modalities are designed to alter gut metabolism by means of space occupation, malabsorption, or restriction. In this review we will discuss different bariatric endoscopic options (such as intragastric balloons, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, endoscopic aspiration therapies and gastrointestinal bypass sleeves), their advantages and disadvantages, and suggest a new paradigm where providers may start incorporating this modality in their treatment approach for obese patients.
Linking the seven forms of rarity to extinction threats and risk factors: an assessment of North American fireflies

Two key problems in trying to link rarity to extinction risk have been conflating threats with risk factors, and over-reliance on a rarity construct that fails to capture many relevant risk factors. In this study, we disentangle threats from risk factors and show how their interaction can be used to predict extinction risk. We also investigate the sensitivity of rarity classifications to various thresholds, including biologically meaningful ones. We use the 168 species of North American firefly beetles (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) as our focal family to examine rarity classifications, and to illustrate the importance of clearly distinguishing between risk factors and threats in evaluating extinction risk. Our results show that, beyond rarity, fireflies exhibit numerous risk factors, including diet specialization, poor dispersal ability, light-based mating signals, symbiotic associations, and behaviors that can result in Allee effects, that make them susceptible to various global threats. This suggests that, for this group and perhaps other taxa, rarity type cannot be used as a surrogate for extinction risk. By identifying threats and risk factors and clearly distinguishing between them, this study should facilitate future assessments of extinction risk for this family, and the approach could be used for other taxa.
Model-Assisted Designs for Early-Phase Clinical Trials: Simplicity Meets Superiority

Drug development enterprise is struggling because of prohibitively high costs and slow progress. There is urgent need for adoption of novel adaptive designs to improve the efficiency and success of clinical trials. A major barrier is that many conventional designs are inadequate for modern drug development, yet most novel adaptive designs are difficult to understand, require complicated statistical modeling, demand complex computation, and need expensive infrastructure for implementation. The objective of this article is to introduce and review a class of novel adaptive designs, known as model-assisted designs, to remove this barrier and increase the use of novel adaptive designs. Model-assisted designs enjoy superior performance comparable to more complicated, model-based adaptive designs, but their decision rule can be pretabulated and included in the protocol-thus implemented as simply as the conventional designs. We review state-of-the-art model-assisted designs for phase I clinical trials for single-agent, drug-combination and late-onset toxicity scenarios. We also briefly introduce model-assisted designs for phase II trials to handle binary, coprimary endpoints and delayed response. Freely available user-friendly software and trial examples (trialdesign.org) facilitate the adoption of model-assisted designs.
Effectiveness of video-assisted, self-directed, and peer-guided learning in the acquisition of surgical skills by veterinary students

Objective To determine the influence of self-directed learning, peer feedback, or expert feedback on suturing technique of novice veterinary student surgeons. Study design Prospective, blinded, video feedback study. Sample population Three groups of surgery naive veterinary students, two groups of 37 students and one group with 36 students. Methods Each student completed three cruciate sutures in SynDaver skin. Student performance was video recorded and scored with a validated pro forma. Students were randomly divided into three groups: (1) students critically evaluated their own performance, (2) students critically evaluated peer's performance, and (3) students received a peer's evaluation. Each student repeated the surgical task and assessed his or her own performance, guided by the pro forma. Each student received a video with individualized feedback from an expert prior to repeating the task. Scores and times were analyzed. Student and expert evaluations were compared. Results Task composite score, time to completion, and completion rate did not differ between groups. Student self-assessed scores did not correlate with expert scores. Forty-three percent and 62% of students stated that self-feedback and peer feedback, respectively, were acceptable forms of learning, and 96% of students felt expert feedback was superior to both. Conclusion Video-based self-evaluation and peer-assisted learning were as effective as expert feedback after didactic lecture in teaching suturing technique to novice veterinary surgeons. Clinical significance Video-based self-evaluation and peer feedback were viable alternative teaching strategies to didactic lecture and expert feedback alone for instructing novice veterinary surgeons.
The LBT satellites of Nearby Galaxies Survey (LBT-SONG): the satellite population of NGC 628

We present the first satellite system of the Large Binocular Telescope Satellites Of Nearby Galaxies Survey (LBT-SONG), a survey to characterize the close satellite populations of Large Magellanic Cloud to Milky Way-mass, star-forming galaxies in the Local Volume. In this paper, we describe our unresolved diffuse satellite finding and completeness measurement methodology and apply this framework to NGC 628, an isolated galaxy with $\sim1/4$ the stellar mass of the Milky Way. We present two new dwarf satellite galaxy candidates: NGC 628 dwA, and dwB with $\text{M}_{\text{V}}$ = $-12.2$ and $-7.7$, respectively. NGC 628 dwA is a classical dwarf while NGC 628 dwB is a low-luminosity galaxy that appears to have been quenched after reionization. Completeness corrections indicate that the presence of these two satellites is consistent with CDM predictions. The satellite colors indicate that the galaxies are neither actively star-forming nor do they have the purely ancient stellar populations characteristic of ultrafaint dwarfs. Instead, and consistent with our previous work on the NGC 4214 system, they show signs of recent quenching, further indicating that environmental quenching can play a role in modifying satellite populations even for hosts smaller than the Milky Way.
What Do Airplane Travelers Think about the Cleanliness of Airplanes and How Do They Try to Prevent Themselves from Getting Sick

As the number of air travelers grows, the need for a clean environment has become important during air travel. This study assessed passenger perceptions of cleanliness in airplanes. Using attribute...
The localization of sodium in the teleost cornea

The fine structure of the brown trout cornea and its adaptional features are described. Localization of sodium in these corneas is also reported. The morphological appearance of the cornea and the distribution of sodium within the tissue are correlated with its impermeability to sodium.
Supporting Code Comprehension via Annotations: Right Information at the Right Time and Place

Code comprehension, especially understanding relationships across project elements (code, documentation, etc.), is non-trivial when information is spread across different interfaces and tools. Bringing the right amount of information, to the place where it is relevant and when it is needed can help reduce the costs of seeking information and creating mental models of the code relationships. While non-traditional IDEs have tried to mitigate these costs by allowing users to spatially place relevant information together, thus far, no study has examined the effects of these non-traditional interactions on code comprehension. Here, we present an empirical study to investigate how the right information at the right time and right place allows users—especially newcomers—to reduce the costs of code comprehension. We use a non-traditional IDE, called Synectic, and implement link-able annotations which provide affordances for the accuracy, time, and space dimensions. We conducted a between-subjects user study of 22 newcomers performing code comprehension tasks using either Synectic or a traditional IDE, Eclipse. We found that having the right information at the right time and place leads to increased accuracy and reduced cognitive load during code comprehension tasks, without sacrificing the usability of developer tools.
Incompressible Fluid Flows on Rough Domains

There is a substantial literature on the existence of solutions to the Euler and Navier-Stokes equations for incompressible flows in bounded domains Most papers concentrate on the case of domains with fairly smooth boundary, typically at least C 1,1regular. However, it is natural to consider fluid flows in rougher domains. Our discussion here has two parts. In Part I we consider the Navier-Stokes equations on Lipschitz domains in ℝ2and ℝ3 .In Part II we consider the Euler equations in a more restricted class of nonsmooth domains in the plane.
The Use of a Precise Reference Frame in Sea Level Change Studies

Long-term sea level variations are an important indicator of global climate change, and their measurement can provide critical information for determining the socio-economic impact of sea level change on coastal land use. Sea level change over the past century is studied almost exclusively using tide gauge records, but they suffer from the unknown effects of land motion and poor spatial distribution. The advent of satellite altimetry, and especially the launch of TOPEX/POSEIDON in 1992, overcomes many of the limitations of tide gauge measurements in that the measurements are global and are tied to the Earth’s center-of-mass in a precise reference frame. However, uncertainties still arise with regard to the long-term performance of the instruments, and the maintenance of the reference frame from one altimeter mission to the next. Here, we discuss the importance of the reference frame for altimeter measurements of sea level. Our results show that care must be taken to maintain the reference frame across multiple geodetic techniques and multiple decades if climate change signals are to be detected. The movement of the tide gauges and the geodetic observatories tracking the altimeter satellites (SLR, DORIS, GPS, etc.) must be precisely monitored through a well-organized international effort.
ReadySim: A computational framework for building explicit finite element musculoskeletal simulations directly from motion laboratory data

Musculoskeletal modeling allows researchers insight into joint mechanics which might not otherwise be obtainable through in vivo or in vitro studies. Common musculoskeletal modeling techniques involve rigid body dynamics software which often employ simplified joint representations. These representations have proven useful but are limited in performing single-framework deformable analyzes in structures of interest. Musculoskeletal finite element (MSFE) analysis allows for representation of structures in sufficient detail to obtain accurate solutions of the internal stresses and strains including complex contact conditions and material representations. Studies which performed muscle force optimization directly in a finite element framework were often limited in complexity to minimize computational time. Recent advances in computational efficiency and control schemes for muscle force prediction have made these solutions more practical. Yet, the formulation of subject-specific simulations remains a challenging problem. The objectives of this work were to develop an open-source computational framework to build and run simulations which (a) scale the size of MSFE models and efficiently estimate (b) joint kinematics and (c) muscle forces from human motion data collected in a typical gait laboratory. A computational framework was built using MATLAB and Python to interface with model input and output files. The software uses laboratory marker data to scale model segment lengths and estimate joint kinematics. Concurrent muscle force and tissue strain estimations are performed based on the estimated kinematics and ground reaction forces. This software will improve the usability and consistency of single-framework MSFE simulations. Both software and template model are made freely available on SimTK.Novelty Statement Single framework musculoskeletal modeling directly in a finite element environment for muscle force estimation and tissue strain analysis. Open dissemination of unilateral musculoskeletal finite element model and software used in manuscript.
Chandra and XMM Observations of the Accretion Disk Corona Source 2S 0921-63

We analyze observations of the low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) 2S 0921-63 obtained with the gratings and CCDs on Chandra and XMM. This object is a high-inclination system showing evidence for an accretion disk corona (ADC). Such a corona has the potential to constrain the properties of the heated accretion disk in this system and other LMXBs by extension. We find evidence for line emission that is generally consistent with that found by previous experiments, although we are able to detect more lines. For the first time in this source, we find that the iron K line has multiple components. We set limits on the line widths and velocity offsets, and we fit the spectra to photoionization models and discuss the implications for ADC models. For the first time in any ADC source we use these fits, together with density constraints based on the O VII line ratio, in order to constrain the flux in the medium-ionization region of the ADC. Under various assumptions about the source luminosity this constrains the location of the emitting region. These estimates, together with estimates for the emission measure, favor a scenario in which the intrinsic luminosity of the source is comparable to what we observe.
One-year statin persistence and adherence in adults with HIV in the United States

Background Statin persistence and adherence are low among US adults. Most individuals with HIV in the US have high adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), but less is known about their statin persistence and adherence. Objectives We analyzed persistence and adherence to statin therapy among adults with and without HIV. Methods We analyzed claims data from adults in the MarketScan database who initiated statin therapy between 2007 and 2016. People with HIV (n = 5619) were frequency matched 1-to-4 to those without HIV (n = 22,476) based on age, sex, and calendar year of statin initiation. Statin persistence was defined by having dispensed statin medication during the last 90 days of the 365 days following initiation. High statin adherence was defined as a proportion of days covered (PDC) ≥0.80 during the 365 days following initiation. Among people with HIV, the PDC for each ART was calculated. Results The mean age of the study population was 51 years and 85.8% were men. Statin persistence was higher among adults with versus without HIV (72.8% versus 65.2%, multivariable-adjusted prevalence ratio 1.13, 95%CI 1.11–1.15). Among those who were persistent, a higher proportion of people with versus without HIV had high statin adherence (69.6% versus 59.9%, multivariable-adjusted prevalence ratio 1.16, 95%CI 1.13–1.19). Among people with HIV and high ART adherence (minimum PDC ≥0.90), 34.6% had a PDC for statin therapy Conclusion Adults with HIV were more persistent and adherent to statin medications versus those without HIV. However, a high proportion of adults with HIV had low statin adherence.
The Origins and Strength of Regional Parties

In this paper I investigate the origins of regional parties. Traditional explanations of regional parties as products of regionally-based social cleavages cannot fully account for variations in regional party strength both within and across countries. This unexplained variance can be explained, however, by looking at different institutions and one institution in particular, political decentralization. I test my argument using a statistical analysis of thirty-seven democracies around the world from 1945 to 2002, which shows that political decentralization increases the strength of regional parties in national legislatures, independent of the strength of regional cleavages, as well as different features of a country’s political system, such as fiscal decentralization, electoral proportionality, presidentialism, cross-regional voting laws, and the sequencing of executive and legislative elections.
Stance: Ideas about Emotion, Style, and Meaning for the Study of Expressive Culture

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Harris M. Berger Year: 2010 Pages: 200 Publisher: Wesleyan University Press ISBN: 978-0-8195-6877-9 (hard cover). Prices: $70.00 USD(hard cover).