cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic predictors of long-term response to inhaled corticosteroid and leukotriene modifier therapies in pediatric asthma.

Background In children with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma, identification of phenotypic predictors to guide selection of a controller regimen is essential. Objective We sought to identify phenotypic characteristics having predictive value for the difference in treatment responses between twice-daily fluticasone and once-daily montelukast. Methods Data from the Pediatric Asthma Controller Trial were assessed with multivariate analysis. Outcomes included the change in asthma control days (ACDs), FEV 1 , peak expiratory flow, and time to first asthma exacerbation measured over a 1-year treatment period. Results The mean age was 9.6 ± 2.1 years, 60% were male, 50% had a parental history of asthma, and 78% had positive aeroallergen skin prick test responses. The mean percent predicted prebronchodilator FEV 1 was 97.8% ± 12.9%, the median PC 20 value was 0.93 mg/mL, and the median exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) level was 25.2 ppb. A history of parental asthma best predicted the expected treatment benefit with fluticasone compared with montelukast in terms of gain in ACDs (adjusted P = .02) and time to first exacerbation (adjusted P = .05). Increased baseline eNO levels predicted the differential treatment response for fluticasone regarding the gain in ACDs (adjusted P = .01). Prior inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use (adjusted P = .01) and low PC 20 values (adjusted P = .03) each predicted the expected treatment benefit with fluticasone over montelukast regarding time to first exacerbation. No phenotypic characteristics predicted treatment benefits for montelukast over fluticasone for either outcome. Conclusions Physicians treating children with a parental history of asthma, increased eNO levels, low PC 20 values, or a history of ICS use can expect the best long-term outcomes with ICS therapy compared with treatment with leukotriene receptor antagonists.
Fast and scalable 3D cyber-physical modeling for high-precision mobile augmented reality systems

Mobile augmented reality is an emerging technique which allows users to use a mobile device's camera to capture real-world imagery and view real-world physical objects and their associated cyber-information overlaid on top of imagery of them. One key challenge for mobile augmented reality is the fast and precisely localization of a user in order to determine what is visible in their camera view. Recent advances in Structure-from-Motion (SfM) enable the creation of 3D point clouds of physical objects from an unordered set of photographs taken by commodity digital cameras. The generated 3D point cloud can be used to identify the location and orientation of the camera relative to the point cloud. While this SfM-based approach provides complete pixel-accurate camera pose estimation in 3D without relying on external GPS or geomagnetic sensors, the preparation of initial 3D point cloud typically takes from hours to a day, making it difficult to use in mobile augmented reality applications. Furthermore, creating 3D cyber-information and associating it with the 3D point cloud is also a challenge of using SfM-based approach for mobile augmented reality. To overcome these challenges in 3D point cloud creation and cyber-physical content authoring, the paper presents a new SfM framework that is optimized for mobile augmented reality and rapidly generates a complete 3D point cloud of a target scene up to 28 times faster than prior approaches. Key improvements in the proposed SfM framework stem from the use of (1) state-of-the-art binary feature descriptors, (2) new filtering approach for accurate 3D modeling, (3) optimized point cloud structure for augmented reality, and (4) hardware/software parallelism. The paper also provides a new image-based 3D content authoring method designed specifically for the limited user interfaces of mobile devices. The proposed content authoring method generates 3D cyber-information from a single 2D image and automatically associates it with the 3D point cloud.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus screening has no effect on mortality

Commentary on : Selph S, Dana T, Blazina I, et al. Screening for type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med 2015; 162:765–6.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3] Screening for type 2 diabetes mellitus in asymptomatic persons could lead to early identification and treatment, and potentially result in improved outcomes. In 2008, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended diabetes screening in asymptomatic adults with sustained blood pressure (BP) greater than 135/80 mm Hg. Unfortunately, the USPSTF found insufficient evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening adults without elevated BP. Some evidence supports the use of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in identifying high-risk populations.1 Lifestyle and drug interventions in these groups showed beneficial effects for … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DAnn%2BIntern%2BMed%26rft.volume%253D162%26rft.spage%253D765%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.7326%252FM14-2221%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F25867111%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.7326/M14-2221&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=25867111&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F20%2F4%2F136.atom
Governing the Final Frontier: A Polycentric Approach to Managing Space Weaponization and Debris

Effective space governance has become increasingly important to spacefaring and non-spacefaring powers alike given the interrelated problems of space weaponization and debris management, but thus far the applicable legal regimes remain amorphous and outdated. For example, the 1967 Outer Space Treaty (OST) establishes space as being free from national appropriation, while setting out certain property rights. But legal ambiguities persist, such as regarding what weapons are permitted in space since the military use of space has not been forbidden, only the placement of weapons of mass destruction in orbit and the establishment of military bases on the moon or other celestial bodies. Consensus has been difficult to build since the failure of the Moon Treaty limiting the effectiveness of the United Nations that has been central to the development of space law. As a result, polycentric regulation is increasingly been undertaken at multiple levels. This move away from the United Nations is accelerating resulting in the potential fragmentation of governance, which has been brought about at least in part by resistance to the Common Heritage of Mankind concept in the Moon Treaty. It is critical to assess whether polycentric action is addressing the outstanding security and environmental issues in outer space, including space weaponization and junk. Significant scholarly attention has not been paid to the evolution of space law in this manner, nor holistically comparing the changes in space law to what is transpiring in the rest of the global commons, including the atmosphere.
Na+ -transport modulation induces isoform-specific expression of Na+,K+ -Atpase alpha-subunit isoforms in C2C12 skeletal muscle cell.

Changes in demands for Na+ transport alter expression of the Na+,K+-ATPase subunit isoforms. In skeletal muscle, the effects of these changes on expression the α2 isoform, the major isoform expressed in differentiated muscle cell, is not known. Therefore, this study examines regulation of the α-subunit isoforms by Na+ in the C2C12 skeletal muscle cell that expresses the α1 and α2 isoforms. Western blot analysis showed that in differentiating C2C12 muscle cell, but not in undifferentiated myoblast, veratridine, a Na+ channel activator, greatly increased expression of the α2 isoform; expression of α1 was unaltered. Because the level of α-actinin was unaltered, the data suggest that veratridine treatment did not significantly alter the progression of cell differentiation. Furthermore, a reduction in Na+ transport by tetrodotoxin again failed to alter expression of a1. Thus, in C2C12 skeletal muscle cell, changes in Na+ transport alters expression of the α2, but not the α1 isoform. These results differ from those observed previously in muscle cells that express only the α1 isoform. Because mammalian skeletal muscle expresses both the α1- and α2-subunit isoforms, the differential regulation that was observed may be physiologically relevant in these muscle cells in vivo.
Destructive arthritis of the large joints. A rare manifestation of sarcoidosis.

A case of destructive sarcoid arthritis involving both knees in a fifty-one-year-old black woman is described. This is the second reported case of destructive sarcoid arthritis in a large joint. The failure of steroid therapy to prevent this complication is noted.
What Lies Beneath? Minority Group Members’ Suspicion of Whites’ Egalitarian Motivation Predicts Responses to Whites’ Smiles

Antiprejudice norms and attempts to conceal racial bias have made Whites' positive treatment of racial minorities attributionally ambiguous. Although some minorities believe Whites' positivity is genuine, others are suspicious of Whites' motives and believe their kindness is primarily motivated by desires to avoid appearing prejudiced. For those suspicious of Whites' motives, Whites' smiles may paradoxically function as threat cues. To the extent that Whites' smiles cue threat among suspicious minorities, we hypothesized that suspicious minorities would explicitly perceive Whites' smiles as threatening (Study 1), automatically orient to smiling White-as opposed to smiling Black-targets (Study 2), and accurately discriminate between Whites' real and fake smiles (Study 3). These results provide convergent evidence that cues typically associated with acceptance and affiliation ironically function as threat cues among suspicious racial minorities.
De Novo Generation of a Unique Cervid Prion Strain Using Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification

ABSTRACT Substantial evidence supports the hypothesis that prions are misfolded, infectious, insoluble, and protease-resistant proteins (PrP RES ) devoid of instructional nucleic acid that cause transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) has provided additional evidence that PrPRes acts as a template that can convert the normal cellular prion protein (PrP C ) present in uninfected normal brain homogenate (NBH) into the infectious misfolded PrP RES isoform. Human PrP C has been shown to spontaneously convert to a misfolded pathological state causing sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD). Several investigators have reported spontaneous generation of prions by in vitro assays, including PMCA. Here we tested the rate of de novo generation of cervid prions in our laboratory using our standard PMCA protocol and NBH from transgenic mice expressing cervid PrP C (TgCerPrP mice). We generated de novo prions in rounds 4, 5, and 7 at low cumulative rates of 1.6, 5.0, and 6.7%, respectively. The prions caused infectious chronic wasting disease (CWD) upon inoculation into normal uninfected TgCerPrP mice and displayed unique biochemical characteristics compared to other cervid prion strains. We conclude that PMCA of cervid PrP C from normal brain homogenate spontaneously generated a new cervid prion strain. These data support the potential for cervids to develop sporadic CWD. IMPORTANCE CWD is the only known TSE that affects free-ranging wildlife, specifically cervids such as elk, deer, moose, caribou, and reindeer. CWD has become endemic in both free-ranging and captive herds in North America, South Korea, and, most recently, northern Europe. The prion research community continues to debate the origins of CWD. Original foci of CWD emergence in Colorado and Wyoming coincident with the sheep TSE scrapie suggest that scrapie prions may have adapted to cervids to cause CWD. However, emerging evidence supports the idea that cervid PrP C may be more prone to misfolding to the pathological isoform. Here we test the hypothesis that cervid PrP C can spontaneously misfold to create de novo prions. Whether CWD can arise spontaneously as a sporadic TSE or represents a new TSE caused by cervid-adapted scrapie prions profoundly impacts surveillance and mitigation strategies. Podcast : A podcast concerning this article is available.
Transferrin Receptor 2 Protein Is Expressed in Mitochondrial-Associated Lysosomes During Human Erythropoiesis.

Abstract 628 Regulated expression of transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1) provides for the major mechanism of iron binding and absorption by endocytosis in erythroblasts. In contrast, the expression of transferrin receptor 2 (TFR2) in erythroid cells is not well understood. Fourteen-day cultures of human CD34+ cells were utilized to explore TFR2 gene and protein expression during erythropoiesis. Transcriptome analyses revealed an expression of the TFR2 gene on culture days 7 and 14. Protein analyses were performed with a TFR2 antibody that demonstrated a doublet band at 105 Kd in K562 and HepG2 cells, but no band in Jurkat cells. Western analyses of the primary erythroblasts demonstrated maximum TFR2 levels on culture days 6-8 coinciding with the onset of high-level glycophorin A expression and just prior to hemoglobin accumulation in the cells. Cellular localization of TFR2 was assessed by dual-staining confocal microscopy. More than 15 cells were analyzed for the calculation of correlation coefficients from 4-6 separate pictures per each sample. Unlike TFR1, expression of TFR2 on the plasma membrane was low or absent at all stages of erythroblast maturation. Expression of both proteins was detected in the endosomes throughout the cytoplasm on culture days 2-6. After culture day 6, TFR1 and TFR2 localization became divergent, with TFR2 localized almost exclusively to a single perinuclear compartment near the Golgi stack in the region of the centrosome. Co-localization experiments indicated that TFR2 was most highly co-localized with LAMP1, a lysosome marker. DMT1, the divalent metal transporter was also colocalized with the TFR2-lysosomes. The TFR2-lysosomes were additionally surrounded by and closely associated with mitochondria. Live cell imaging revealed dynamic interactions between the lysosomes and surrounding mitochondria. Pulse-chase experiments using Alexafluor 594-labeled transferrin (Tf) showed that endocytosed Tf was initially co-localized with TFR1. However, Tf was transported to the TFR2 localized region after a chase period of 10 minutes. In summary, TFR2 protein expression is highly regulated during erythropoiesis and localized to centrosomal lysosomes. These studies further suggest that iron regulation in erythroblasts includes trafficking to TFR2 and DMT1 containing lysosomes, which are dynamically associated with mitochondria. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Serial Daily Organ Failure Assessment Beyond ICU Day 5 Does Not Independently Add Precision to ICU Risk-of-Death Prediction

Objectives:To identify circumstances in which repeated measures of organ failure would improve mortality prediction in ICU patients.Design:Retrospective cohort study, with external validation in a deidentified ICU database.Setting:Eleven ICUs in three university hospitals within an academic healthca
Physical Education Professionals Developing Life Skills in Children Affected by Poverty

Physical education (PE) professionals must believe that all students can learn, and they should equip themselves with the knowledge and expertise to instruct each student effectively. This article focuses on the effect that a PE teacher can have on the lives of students who come from low socioeconomic status (SES) households. It provides PE teachers with specific ideas and examples of how to teach life skills effectively within the PE setting to marginalized children affected by poverty. PE teachers often must intentionally influence the development of life skills, and some feel that practitioners are responsible for implementing ways to encourage that development. Personal and interpersonal skills are essential developmental factors that can be influenced through PE. This article highlights ways of incorporating proper affective assessments, developing a growth mind-set, and giving exposure to specific PE curricular models that focus on life skill growth. Finally, it provides a practitioner’s example to further elucidate the effect that intentional life skill instruction may have on students of low SES. Subscribe to TPE
Excitatory Amino Acid Receptors in the Rat Cochlear Nucleus

The neurotransmitters of the cochlear nucleus (CN) have received considerable attention, but probably the most important class of neurotransmitters, the excitatory amino acids (EAAs), is also the least understood not only in the CN, but throughout the central nervous system. They have been difficult to study on essentially all levels, including measurement of the amino acids themselves, their biosynthesis and degradation, release, and postsynaptic receptors. With the exception of neuropeptides, EAAs appear to be the last major class of neurotransmitters to be identified even though it is now commonly believed that most excitatory synapses in the central nervous system use an EAA as a neurotransmitter. Many attempts were made to identify a marker that could be used for selectively localizing EAA releasing neurons. Several useful markers were identified, including glutamate and aspartate themselves, uptake of radioactive EAAs, and enzymes in the metabolism of glutamate and aspartate, but no reliable method, which worked in all cases, was found.
Some Practical Aspects of Studying Equations of State and Structural Phase Transitions at High Pressure

There are many excellent published review papers and text books on the theory of both phase transitions and equations of state, and it is not the purpose of this work to duplicate that information. It is instead an attempt to answer some of the more practical questions that arise when one wishes to undertake a measurement to determine the equation of state of a crystalline solid by diffraction, or to analyse the results of a high-pressure diffraction experiment on a crystalline phase undergoing a structural phase transition.
Efficacy of Single Daily Dose Allopurinol in Gouty Hyperuricemia

During the past ten years, since its introduction by Rundles and his colleagues, allopurinol has gained widespread favor in the treatment of gout and other hyperuricemic states (1). Although it is conventional to prescribe allopurinol in multiple divided doses each day, the drug is metabolized in man in such a way as to suggest that a single daily dose may prove equally effective.
Methodology for assessing zinc bioavailability : Efficacy estimates for zinc-methionine, zinc sulfate, and zinc oxide

The bioavailability of zinc-methionine (ZnMET) was compared to that of feed-grade ZnSO4.H2O using three different diets: purified (crystalline amino acid [AA]), semipurified (soy isolate), and complex (corn-soybean [C-SBM]) diet. With the Zn-deficient purified or semipurified diet, weight gain and tibia Zn responded linearly to both ZnSO4.H2O and ZnMET supplementation. Common-intercept, multiple linear regression indicated differences in Zn bioavailability between ZnMET and ZnSO4.H2O for both diets as indicated by bone Zn. With the ZnSO4.H2O standard set at 100%, bioavailability of Zn from ZnMET was 117% (P less than .05) in the AA diet and 177% (P less than .01) in the soy isolate diet. The ZnMET was also compared to ZnSO4.H2O in a C-SBM diet containing 117 mg of Zn/kg. When high levels of Zn were added to this diet (0, 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg of supplemental Zn), consistent tissue Zn responses did not occur beyond the first increment. Addition of lower levels of supplemental Zn (0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg/kg) to a Zn-unsupplemented C-SBM basal diet (45 mg/kg of Zn), however, resulted in a broken-line, two-slope response in tibia Zn for both ZnMET and ZnSO4.H2O. Inflection points occurred at 60 and 54 mg of Zn/kg of diet for ZnSO4.H2O and ZnMET, respectively. The ratio of slopes (ZnMET:ZnSO4.H2O) below the inflection points was 206% (P less than .01), indicating that Zn was considerably more bioavailable in ZnMET than in ZnSO4.H2O for chicks consuming C-SBM diets. When feed-grade ZnO was compared to feed-grade ZnSO4.H2O in chicks consuming C-SBM diets, bone Zn slopes below the respective inflection points indicated that Zn was 61% bioavailable in ZnO relative to ZnSO4.H2O.
Experiments and Results

This chapter summarizes the results produced by WEAVER. It is divided into five sections. The first section describes the input and output. The second section is the step by step tracing of an example. The third section compares the results produced by WEAVER with those of the other algorithmic techniques. The fourth section describes WEAVER’s behavior when some of it’s knowledge-based experts are disabled. Section five describes WEAVER’s efficiency and suggests techniques which can be employed to improve it.
Fractal anatomy: imaging internal and ambient structures

Fractal shapes reflect the behavior of complex natural systems, but can be generated by simple mathematical equations. Images of 3D fractals almost exclusively depict opaque surfaces, and use reflected light and shadows to simulate a physical realization of these virtual objects. But rich inner detail can be revealed by reinterpreting the fractal as a volume and considering material transparency, light absorption and refraction. This work explores the range of images made possible by employing volume rendering techniques inspired by medical image visualization.
UNIT 7.25 Isolation of Tissue Mast Cells

Located primarily in tissues, mast cells are one of the principal effector cells in allergic inflammation. Mast cells derive from mononuclear precursor cells which undergo their final phase of differentiation in the tissues. Mast cells express a unique set of proteases and display functional diversity depending on the tissue in which they differentiate—a phenomenon often referred to as mast cell heterogeneity. Enzymatic digestion and density centrifugation have often been used to isolate human mast cells from tissues such as lung and skin, frequently resulting in cells with low viability and purity. Here, we describe a protocol that combines gentle enzymatic digestion with positive selection techniques to isolate reasonably viable and substantially enriched preparations of tissue mast cells. Curr. Protoc. Immunol. 90:7.25.1-7.25.11. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: mast cells; human mast cells; lung, skin; fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS); magnetic bead columns
The influence of land tenure and dwelling occupancy on disaster risk reduction. The case of eight informal settlements in six Latin American and Caribbean countries

Abstract Purpose This study seeks to understand how land tenure security and dwelling occupancy modes influence disaster risk reduction in precarious urban communities. Design/methodology/approach We conducted a comprehensive review of recent publications on the relationship between land tenure security, access to credit, housing improvements, and the expected outcome: safer housing and thus risk reduction. We used a database of surveys from a previous study conducted by the authors in eight informal settlements across six Latin American and Caribbean countries in 2017–2018. Bivariate correlation and Point-Biserial correlations analyses were conducted, using the stepwise variable selection for all regressions. This study assesses whether dwelling occupancy mode and land tenure situation predict the changes in disaster risk factors such as dwellings' physical conditions and occupants' social conditions. Findings Our extensive literature review reveals: (1) securing housing occupancy alone does not automatically address the issue of credit access, nor does it result in house improvement that lead to safer housing; and (2) households with land tenure or occupancy issues that are exposed to natural hazards are frequently excluded from aid distribution and post-disaster reconstruction programs which increases their vulnerability to future disasters. Our statistical analysis found a positive relationship between consolidated mode of occupancy and land tenure with disaster risk factors associated with housing conditions, particularly access to utilities (i.e., water, sewage, and energy). Originality/value Our study is the result of a systematic process framed within an evidence-based DRR evaluation strategy that brings forth the scope of measures to secure land tenure conditions and consolidate house occupancy modes as means to improve safety and quality of life in informal settlements that ultimately influence the susceptibility of communities to the impacts of natural hazards.
The protein data bank

The Protein Data Bank is an international repository for results of macromolecular structural studies. Two classes of information are included in the Data Bank: atomic coordinates and structure factor data. Almost all of this information is unpublished and is not available elsewhere. Bibliographic entries are maintained on structures for which atomic coordinates are not yet available. The Data Bank also supplies a number of computer programs that may be used to produce information derived from the coordinates, such as parameters for making bent-wire models, tables of bond distances and torsion angles, φ − ѱ plots, etc. Brookhaven’s distribution charges to users are now ~$154 per magnetic tape or $92 per microfiche item in the U.S. and Canada. The data are available worldwide through affiliated centers in Australia, England, and Japan, and are also accessible on-line via the PROPHET system. Integration of the bibliographic and primary sequence data with the Cambridge Database of organic and organometallic structures is planned to be completed by 1983. Suggestions for new Protein Data Bank services and other comments will be welcomed. (The Protein Data Bank is supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant PCM80-13028 and operates under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences.)
Lower extremity lymphedema in patients with gynecologic malignancies

Lower extremity lymphedema is a chronic, often irreversible condition that affects many patients treated for gynecologic malignancies, with published rates as high as 70% in select populations. It has consistently been shown to affect multiple quality of life metrics. This review focuses on the pathophysiology, incidence, trends, and risk factors associated with lower extremity lymphedema secondary to the treatment of cervical, endometrial, ovarian, and vulvar cancers in the era of sentinel lymph node mapping. We review traditional and contemporary approaches to diagnosis and staging, and discuss new technologies and imaging modalities. Finally, we review the data-based treatment of lower extremity lymphedema and discuss experimental treatments currently being developed. This review highlights the need for more prospective studies and objective metrics, so that we may better evaluate and serve these patients.
Comorbidity burden in prostate cancer patients by ESRD status.

e17510Background: The co-occurrence of cancer and end-stage-renal disease (ESRD) may pose significant challenge in the management of both diseases. Further complicating clinical decisions is our li...
Experimental study of vibration characteristics of 110 kV oil-immersed transformer:

As the voltage level and capacity of power transformer continue to rise, this results in its increasingly prominent vibration and noise problems. In this article, we study the vibration characteris...
Abstract 90: Inducing and targeting senescence in HPV-negative head and neck squamous cancer cells

Background: The loss of normal cell cycle regulation via disruption of CDKN2A in HPV-negative (-) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is universal. Targeting CDK4/6 with a specific inhibitor, such as palbociclib, is therefore a logical strategy in this disease. Previous work has demonstrated that CDK4/6 inhibition leads to cell cycle arrest and senescence in cancer cells, and specifically HPV(-) HNSCC. Recent studies have also shown that the BCL-xL inhibitor, ABT-263 (navitoclax), effectively targets senescent cells. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and mechanism of a combination approach utilizing palbociclib and ABT-263 in HNSCC. Methods: Three HPV (-) HNSCC cell lines (CAL27, HN31, PCI15B) were treated with palbociclib. Cresyl violet staining and annexin V apoptosis assays were used to assess cell viability in response to palbociclib, navitoclax, or the combination of the two drugs. Senescence following treatment with palbociclib was measured using β-galactosidase expression on western blot analysis, as well as via immunofluorescence staining assessed and quantified using confocal microscopy. Levels of BCL-xL were also measured using these methods. Results: Following treatment with palbociclib, all cell lines exhibited phenotypic evidence of senescence, and protein expression of β-galactosidase was significantly increased compared to untreated controls (mean fold change ± SD: CAL27 2.67±0.26; HN31 1.79±0.41; PCI15B 1.26±0.15). Protein expression of BCL-xL was concurrently increased under these conditions (mean fold change ± SD: CAL27 1.57±0.04; HN31 1.58±0.39; PCI15B 1.33±0.17). Immunofluorescent staining was also used to determine if cells exhibiting senescence specifically demonstrated higher BCL-xL expression. Co-expression of β-galactosidase and BCL-xL showed a strong positive correlation (CAL27 r = 0.94, p Conclusions: Palbociclib treatment leads to consistent induction of senescence in HPV (-) HNSCC. Adding a senolytic agent, such as the BCL-xL inhibitor ABT-263 (navitoclax) appears to be an effective strategy which holds promise in this disease. Citation Format: Nicholas Gadsden, Carlos Thomas, Daniel Li, Nitisha Shrivastava, Nicolas Schlecht, Michael Prystowsky, Jeffrey Segall, Thomas Ow. Inducing and targeting senescence in HPV-negative head and neck squamous cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 90.
Predicted Mode of Binding to and Allosteric Modulation of the μ-Opioid Receptor by Kratom’s Alkaloids with Reported Antinociception In Vivo

Pain management devoid of serious opioid adverse effects is still far from reach despite vigorous research and development efforts. Alternatives to classical opioids have been sought for years, and mounting reports of individuals finding pain relief with kratom have recently intensified research on this natural product. Although the composition of kratom is complex, the pharmacological characterization of its most abundant alkaloids has drawn attention to three molecules in particular, owing to their demonstrated antinociceptive activity and limited side effects in vivo. These three molecules are mitragynine (MG), its oxidized active metabolite, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH), and the indole-to-spiropseudoindoxy rearrangement product of MG known as mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MP). Although these three alkaloids have been shown to preferentially activate the G protein signaling pathway by binding and allosterically modulating the μ-opioid receptor (MOP), a molecular level understanding of this process is lacking and yet important for the design of improved therapeutics. The molecular dynamics study and experimental validation reported here provide an atomic level description of how MG, 7OH, and MP bind and allosterically modulate the MOP, which can eventually guide structure-based drug design of improved therapeutics.
128 Beyond the ride: the use of psychological skills training in equestrian athletes

Psychological skills training (PST) is a proven coaching method used with athletes in a multitude of sports. This study investigated the use of PST with equestrian athletes. We hypothesized that coaches were not broadly using PST but were using related skills in their coaching techniques. An online survey was administered to equestrian coaches during a 2-mo period in Spring 2020. The survey was designed to collect coaching demographics, and determine whether coaches used specific skills, frequency of use, perceptions of performance improvement, education relative to PST, and limitations of PST use. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, correlations and a mixed model ANOVA (SAS, 9.2). One hundred and 80 6 respondents completed the survey. Contrary to our hypothesis, 91% of equestrian coaches surveyed were using PST with their riders. Confidence building compared with goal setting skills were not different but were used more frequently than other skills (P = 0.017), followed by imagery, self-talk, and task relevant routine (all similar, P > 0.16), and relaxation was the least used (P = 0.017). The type of skills used differed by situation: practice, pre-competition, during competition, post competition. Confidence building was used more in practice than during competition (P 0.32). Goal setting and imagery were most used in practice and pre-competition, compared with during competition and post competition (P 0.39). Use of confidence building, self-talk, relaxation, task relevant routine and goal setting, was correlated to PST-attributable performance improvement in increasing self-confidence and lessening anxiety (R = 0.41; P
Transient Response Shaping via Pole Assignment in Specified Regions

The Proportional-Integral (PI) and Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller provide perfect steady state tracking and disturbance rejection of steps if the closed loop can be stabilized. The problem of achieving a "good" transient response over the stabilizing set remains a difficult open problem. In this paper we develop a technique to address this problem by assigning closed loop characteristic roots to prescribed regions of the complex plane. The specific regions chosen for study are a rectangle R, circle C and a triangle T. These regions reflect fast settling time (poles to the left of a line), small overshoot (poles to the right of a line) and limited frequency of oscillation (imaginary parts of poles within prescribed bounds). By using D-decomposition techniques and the Edge Theorem we attempt to determine useful subsets of the stabilizing set over which "good" transient response may be obtained. The results are illustrated by examples.
Materials Processing, from Ideas to Practice

Dr. Jiann-Yang Hwang served as the Director of the Institute of Materials Processing at Michigan Technological University for more than 20 years. Many technologies have been developed from ideas to commercial practices in his career life. This symposium reflects his contributions in this aspect. The cycle of materials such as metals on the earth involved the steps of ore exploration (geology), mining, mineral processing, metallurgy, manufacturing, and recycling. Each step is achieved by processing materials using energy. Depending on the process and the forms of energy input, products, and by-products with various environmental impacts are generated through air, water, and solid means. To obtain the most efficient process with the minimum environmental impacts at the best economics is the driving force that continuously pushes the advances of technologies. Variables in the materials, process, and energy are common parameters facilitating the development of ideas for technology advancements. Dr. Hwang learned earth sciences, mineralogy, characterization, mineral processing, and metallurgy during his undergraduate and graduate studies. Mining, materials, and processing, and environmental and economics are mostly self-studied at postgraduate time, partly pushed by the research needs from projects he wanted to conduct. Understanding the parameters involved in the materials, energy, environment, and economics is fundamental to a systematic approach. The validity of ideas and their potential to move to practice depend on the soundness of the system. The author reviewed several cases of his research to illustrate their relations.
Determining crystallographic orientation via hybrid convolutional neural network

Abstract A recent paradigm shift in the electron diffraction community has benefited from accessibility of large data sets and ever more complex designs of convolutional neural networks (CNNs). However, this shift from conventional feature engineering to analyzing high-level features extracted from CNN is often accompanied by a reduction in accuracy and sensitivity. Particularly, CNN based crystal orientation indexing using electron backscatter diffraction is sensitive to noise, reducing the overall accuracy. In this study, a new hybrid indexing approach has been developed to integrate dictionary indexing (DI) with a trained CNN to achieve extraordinary speed and robustness against noise simultaneously.
Developing New Online Course Accessibility Services for Faculty through Collaboration between Librarians and Campus Departments: A Case Study.

Literature has shown that inaccessible content is a barrier to student success and an impediment to student retention. Despite legal obligations for accessible course content, creators of course ma...
Quasi-stationary spiral structure in galaxies

The hypothesis of quasi-stationary spiral structure in galaxies was explicitly formulated in the early 1960’s in papers of Bertil Lindblad and of Lin and Shu. It asserts that the grand design observed in spiral galaxies may be described by the superposition (and interaction) of a small number of spiral modes. (See Lin and Bertin, 1981 for a fairly extensive review of the theory.) We wish to re-affirm the correctness of this hypothesis in the present contribution. Early numerical experiments by P.O. Lindblad and by Miller, Prendergast and Quirk demonstrated that spiral structures occur naturally in certain models of stellar systems, although it was difficult to control the morphological types of galaxies simulated. We are now able to simulate galaxies of various morphological types in a controllable manner. Numerical fluid-dynamical codes developed by Pannatoni (1979) and improved by Haass (1982) have been used to calculate normal modes of various spiral types (Haass, Bertin, and Lin 1982) in the morphological classification of Hubble, Sandage, and de Vaucoulers. Furthermore, the processes that govern the maintenance and the excitation of these modes simulating both normal spirals and barred spirals, can be understood by using analytical theories which are closely related to the local dispersion relationship, as Bertin will describe in his paper at this conference. Understanding these mechanisms enables us to choose the parameters and the distribution functions in our models more properly in order to exhibit the desired characteristics in the computed modes. Such an approach also has important implications on observational studies. Much of the previous work on comparison between theory and observations in normal spirals used only the short trailing waves. A mode must consist of at least two waves propagating in opposite directions. It has been found that, at least in normal spiral modes, the long wave branch provides essentially only a modulation of the amplitude along the short wave branch, which accurately describes the phase. Previous calculations are thereby justified. [These points were not adequately covered in the previous paper reviewing theory of spiral modes.]
Eigenvectors and Eigenvalues

This chapter gives the basic elementary properties of eigenvectors and eigenvalues. We get an application of determinants in computing the characteristic polynomial. In §3, we also get an elegant mixture of calculus and linear algebra by relating eigenvectors with the problem of finding the maximum and minimum of a quadratic function on the sphere. Most students taking linear algebra will have had some calculus, but the proof using complex numbers instead of the maximum principle can be used to get real eigenvalues of a symmetric matrix if the calculus has to be avoided. Basic properties of the complex numbers will be recalled in an appendix.
Effects of master-slave tool misalignment in a teleoperated surgical robot

In a teleoperated system, misalignment between the master and slave manipulators can result from clutching, errors in the kinematic model, and/or sensor errors. This study examines the effects of type and magnitude of misalignment on the performance of the teleoperator. We first characterized the magnitude and direction of orientation misalignment created when clutching and unclutching during use of two surgical robots: the Raven II and the da Vinci Research Kit. We then purposely generated typical misalignments in order to measure the impact of such misalignment on user performance of a peg transfer task with the Raven II. Users were able to compensate for misalignment angles up to approximately 20 degrees in both tool orientation and camera viewpoint misalignment. These results can be used to guide the design and control of teleoperated systems for a variety of applications.
Status of the field-reversed configuration as an alternate confinement concept

The status and main issues of field-reversed configuration research are briefly reviewed. The unusual fusion reactor potential of these plasmas is also described, in particular for systems that would burn D-/sup 3/He fuels. The field-reversed configuration is ideal for possible use of advanced fuels because its simple geometry includes a natural divertor that should allow efficient direct conversion. 27 refs., 4 figs.
Detection of Leptospira in Soil and Water by Immunofluorescence Staining

Specific immunofluorescence staining was used for the detection of leptospires in soil and water under laboratory and field conditions.
Single agent lenalidomide three times a week induces hematologic responses in AL amyloidosis patients on dialysis.

The combination of lenalidomide and dexamethasone can produce hematologic responses in previously treated patients with AL amyloidosis. Because lenalidomide is primarily excreted unchanged by the kidney, adjustments to the starting dose of lenalidomide are recommended to provide appropriate drug exposure in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment and in patients on dialysis. Here, we report on a study of patients with AL amyloidosis on dialysis treated with lenalidomide at a dose of 10 mg orally three times a week. Seven patients were enrolled. All patients had received prior treatment, with 57% receiving prior high-dose melphalan and stem cell transplantation. Two patients died before evaluation of response. The most common adverse event was infection; no thromboembolic complications were seen. One patient required dose-modification. Hematologic responses were obtained by four of the five evaluable patients. Median overall survival was 18 months. In conclusion, adjusted dose lenalidomide was reasonably tolerated and induced sustained hematologic responses in previously treated patients with AL amyloidosis on dialysis. Am. J. Hematol. 89:706–708, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Association between visual attention and mobility in older adults

Objectives: To examine the association between visual attention/processing speed and mobility in older adults. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Clinical research unit of a department of ophthalmology. Participants: Three hundred forty-two older adults (aged 55–85) living independently in the community recruited from primary eye care practices. Measurements: In addition to demographic, health, and functional information, the following variables were collected at the second annual visit of a prospective study on mobility: a test of visual attention/processing speed; a performance mobility assessment; and self-reported measures of falls, falls efficacy, mobility/balance, and physical activity. Results: Lower scores on visual attention/processing speed were significantly related to poorer scores on the performance mobility assessment, even after adjustment for age, sex, race, education, number of chronic medical conditions, cognitive status, depressive symptoms, visual acuity, and contrast sensitivity (P=.04). Scores on the visual attention/processing speed test were unrelated to the self-reported measures of mobility. Conclusion: Results imply that visual attention impairment/slowed visual processing speed in older adults is independently associated with mobility problems. Interventions to reverse or minimize the progression of mobility dysfunction in older adults should take this common aging-related deficit in visual processing into account.
Near Middle East/North Africa Studies: Culture

Fiction, drama, filmmaking, and art play a significant role in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), where intellectuals are often considered spokespersons for the people to the regime. From Morocco to Iran, they have a moral authority that promises influence, imposes responsibility but also invites manipulation by those in power. This article provides a historical examination of the production of culture from the end of the nineteenth century to the revolutions of the twenty-first century. Language reform, war, Palestine, gender justice, Islam, and decoloniality have figured importantly on the MENA cultural scene. During the past 20 years systematic translation of MENA literature and new film festivals featuring MENA cinema have helped to globalize MENA culture.
Nephrolithiasis and Nephrocalcinosis

From time to time, in most people, the urine separates into a solid and liquid phase. Unlike birds, which regularly produce a semisolid urine, all mammals have renal tubules and urinary collecting systems whose lumens are narrow and easily obstructed. As long as the solid phase in urine consists of very tiny particles, 0.1 to 10 microns in diameter, phase separation is asymptomatic. Larger particles can block tubule lumens or may adhere to papillary surfaces. Once anchored, a particle can then grow, until its dimensions become similar in magnitude to those of the urinary tract, i.e., millimeters to centimeters in diameter. Then, it can cause clinical disease.
Nathan Dunn's Chinese Museum

Philadelphia merchant and philanthropist Nathan Dunn (1782-1844) made his fortune as a mercantile trader in Canton, China in the 1820’s. He amassed a vast collection of objects representing both fine arts and daily life in a Chinese society that granted only limited access to foreigners. Upon his return to Philadelphia, he displayed his collection in a museum that drew international attention. For its tens of thousands of visitors, Dunn’s museum taught much about a land few of them would ever be able to see for themselves. In the wake of the Opium War, Dunn relocated his museum to London in hopes of improving English public opinion of the Chinese. This monograph was written as an undergraduate honors thesis for Department of History at the University of Pennsylvania in 1986 under the supervision of Dr. Susan Naquin. In addition to describing Dunn’s experiences and his museum collection, the thesis explores public knowledge and sentiments regarding China among early 19th century Philadelphians and the early history of American museums and exhibitions.