cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A hyper-graph approach for analyzing transcriptional networks in breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy and a leading cause of cancer related deaths in women. In recent years, gene expression profiling has proved useful in delineating molecular subtypes of breast cancer and in the development of prognostic signatures. We are developing an analytical pipeline to characterize the transcriptional regulators of these subtypes and signatures. Our approach complements current bioinformatics approaches for transcription factor analysis with a vertex cover algorithm on hypergraphs. We utilize this approach to build a network of differentially expressed genes in a tumor subtype or based on a predefined signature and the candidate transcription factors regulating these genes. Maximum cardinality and minimum weight vertex covers in hypergraphs are used to choose a set of candidate transcription factors that (1) are provably within a small factor of the optimum cover, and (2) are the key regulators of disease pathogenesis. Our model can then be used to predict the most important transcription factors regulating the network. We then use this approach to find modules or combinations of transcription factors regulating different functional subsets of genes. We test our approach using data generated with cell lines in the context of estrogen receptor mediated transcription and demonstrate that we can recover previously known or expected regulators. Then, we apply the method to a primary breast cancer cohort partitioned into two groups with prognostic differences defined by high or low levels of an insulin-like growth factor gene expression signature. These results suggest the method has the potential to identify transcription factors regulating different molecular subtypes of breast cancer.
Who's Afraid of Postcolonial Theory?

Recent assertions of urban theory have dismissed the value of postcolonial critique in urban studies. This essay draws on postcolonial theory to demonstrate key flaws in such theoretical formulations. In doing so, it returns to the puzzle of how and why studying urbanism in the global South might matter for the reconceptualization of critical urban theory. Instead of a universal grammar of cityness, modified by (exotic) empirical variation, the essay foregrounds forms of theorization that are attentive to historical difference as a fundamental constituent of global urbanization. What is at stake, the essay concludes, is a culture of theory, one that in its Eurocentrism tends to foreclose multiple concepts of the urban and alternative understandings of political economy. A concern with the relationship between place, knowledge and power-a key insight of postcolonial critique-might make possible new practices of theory in urban studies.
Graduate Record Examination Analytical Scores as Predictors of Academic Success in Four Entry-level Master's Degree Physical Therapy Programs

This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of the Graduate Record Examination–Analytical (GRE-A) score in predicting the final grade point averages (GPAs) of students in physical therapy education programs. Data from four entry-level master's degree physical therapy programs were analyzed using a step-wise multiple regression analysis procedure. The data were grouped to determine differences between the experimental and the newly revised formats of the GRE-A measure, in addition to any differences among programs. The GRE-A score was a significant ( p < .05) predictor of final GPA in some instances in two of the four programs, regardless of format. In two programs, the GRE-A score was not a statistically significant predictor, regardless of format or how scores were grouped. The GRE-A score was not as useful alone as when combined with other predictor variables such as preadmission overall GPA, sex, and race. Further research is needed with a larger sample of students to assess more thoroughly the newly revised format of the GRE-A measure.
Use of Monte Carlo Simulations to Determine Optimal Carbapenem Dosing in Critically Ill Patients Receiving Prolonged Intermittent Renal Replacement Therapy

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analyses with Monte Carlo simulations (MCSs) can be used to integrate prior information on model parameters into a new renal replacement therapy (RRT) to develop optimal drug dosing when pharmacokinetic trials are not feasible. This study used MCSs to determine initial doripenem, imipenem, meropenem, and ertapenem dosing regimens for critically ill patients receiving prolonged intermittent RRT (PIRRT). Published body weights and pharmacokinetic parameter estimates (nonrenal clearance, free fraction, volume of distribution, extraction coefficients) with variability were used to develop a pharmacokinetic model. MCS of 5000 patients evaluated multiple regimens in 4 different PIRRT effluent/duration combinations (4 L/h × 10 hours or 5 L/h × 8 hours in hemodialysis or hemofiltration) occurring at the beginning or 14-16 hours after drug infusion. The probability of target attainment (PTA) was calculated using ≥40% free serum concentrations above 4 times the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the first 48 hours. Optimal doses were defined as the smallest daily dose achieving ≥90% PTA in all PIRRT combinations. At the MIC of 2 mg/L for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, optimal doses were doripenem 750 mg every 8 hours, imipenem 1 g every 8 hours or 750 mg every 6 hours, and meropenem 1 g every 12 hours or 1 g pre- and post-PIRRT. Ertapenem 500 mg followed by 500 mg post-PIRRT was optimal at the MIC of 1 mg/L for Streptococcus pneumoniae. Incorporating data from critically ill patients receiving RRT into MCS resulted in markedly different carbapenem dosing regimens in PIRRT from those recommended for conventional RRTs because of the unique drug clearance characteristics of PIRRT. These results warrant clinical validation.
Applied Physiology of Exercise: A Biological Awareness Concept

(1973). Applied Physiology of Exercise: A Biological Awareness Concept. Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation: Vol. 44, No. 8, pp. 30-31.
Ground motion amplification in the Marina District

Abstract Following the 18 October 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, triggered seismographs were deployed in and around the Marina District to investigate site amplification. In the 3 weeks after the mainshock, 16 aftershocks were recorded by two or more of these stations. Two additional stations, deployed in March 1990, recorded three earthquakes that occurred in Contra Costa County. By recasting the method of spectral ratios into a generalized inverse problem, we combine the shear-wave spectra from these 19 aftershocks to estimate the relative site amplification as a function of frequency. All five stations located in the Marina District are amplified by factors of 6 to 10 at 1 Hz and 2 to 4 at 3 Hz, relative to a station located on Franciscan sandstone at Fort Mason, irrespective of whether they are sited on artificial fill or beach sand. Two stations located on dune sand just outside the Marina District are amplified by factors of 2 to 4 for frequencies above 1 Hz. Four stations located on Franciscan sandstone in Pacific Heights, Nob Hill, Rincon Hill, and Diamond Heights show little relative amplification. Conditional estimates of the mainshock spectra can be determined at stations that only recorded aftershocks, if they can be linked to stations that recorded the mainshock. These estimates are predicated on the assumption that the ground behaved linearly in the mainshock, an assumption that is clearly violated for those sites where there was ground failure. Using this method of extrapolation for a site in the Marina District that showed no evidence of ground failure yields mainshock spectra that are slightly greater than the mainshock spectra from the Outer Harbor Wharf in Oakland and near the Pacific Park Plaza in Emeryville and that significantly exceed the mainshock spectra from all the free-field accelerograms located in San Francisco.
Stress Measurement Using a Bilayer Metal-Ceramic Strip

Residual stresses that develop in metal/ceramic bonded systems due to thermal expansion mismatch have been calculated using finite element modelling and measured experimentally using a simple bilayer strip. Bending in the strip occurs during cooling due to the stress asymmetry. Residual stresses are calculated by measuring the deflection of the strip and the temperature at which the strip is flat. Various compositions of both copper and nickel pastes, with and without glass and other second phase additions were evaluated on glass-ceramic. The effects of further processes, e.g. thermal cycling, brazing and plating, are also reported in this work.
Considering National Context and Other Variables

In an often cited analogy, the university is imagined as a village—an insular and tightly knit community, focused on teaching and learning as a worthy endeavor of its own, but somewhat removed from the larger world. The modern comprehensive university is, however, more like a city. It has many subcultures and responsibilities that reflect its growing role in society. “Some get lost in the city,” Clark Kerr once explained in his assessment of major American universities in the early 1960s, “while others, both faculty and students, find communities within the larger institution.” The “city,” continued Kerr, “is more like the totality of civilization” (Kerr 1963).
H. Tristram Engelhardt, Jr.: The Man Behind the Scholar

Throughout the years I had the privilege to work for Tris as his assistant, I had the opportunity to learn about Tris the man as opposed to Tris the scholar and educator. One thing that I always wanted to know is the reason he kept his old blue Volvo, which in many ways was falling apart, but like an old friend he could not let it go. I don’t very often mention it but I am a car enthusiast, so when I see people who have a special relationship with their car it always intrigues me. Tris and his blue Volvo, a model of the late 1960s or early 1970s if I am not mistaken, was always a subject of conversation and laughs – the smell and interior of the car had their own characteristics!
Interplays Between Gut Microbiota and Gene Expression Regulation by miRNAs: Towards a Symbiotic Vision of Host and Guest

Increasing evidences have emphasized the importance of gut microbiota and integrity of the intestinal epithelium to avoid the occurrence of many diseases. Recently, microRNAs have emerged as important gene expression regulators in many conditions. A dysregulated microRNA expression is a common feature of various human diseases, such as cancer , developmental abnormalities, muscular and cardiovascular disorders, and inflammatory diseases. Moreover, exosomal microRNAs have been recently reported to have a crucial role in modulating the bacterial gene expression. So far, the interplays between microRNAs expression and gut microbiota modulation have not been explored in details. To provide further insights into this interesting relationship, in this chapter we discussed some papers appeared in the literature in the last few years.
Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder (KUB): A Novel Grading System for Encrusted Ureteral Stents.

Objective To introduce a grading system (kidney, ureter, and bladder [KUB]) to identify encrusted stents that may require multiple surgeries, multimodal surgery, and operative time > 180 minutes for successful removal. Methods One hundred ten retained encrusted ureteral stents were retrospectively scored using the KUB grading system and this score was correlated with operative time, need for multiple surgeries or multimodal surgery, and stone-free rate. Data analysis was performed with t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and chi-square tests. A P value of Results Average indwelling stent time was 17.2 months (0.7-139.0). There were 83.6% of stents removed in a single surgery, with 63.0% of these requiring multimodal surgery. K score ≥ 3 was associated with multiple surgeries (odds ratio [OR] 3.59, P = .006), multimodal surgery (OR 2.44, P = .04), operative time > 180 minutes (OR 3.80, P = .001), and lower stone-free rate (OR 0.23, P = .02). U score ≥ 3 was associated with operative time > 180 minutes (OR 3.28, P = .003). B score ≥ 3 was associated with lower stone-free rate (OR 0.23, P = .020). Total score ≥ 9 was associated with multiple surgeries (OR 4.19, P = .001), operative time > 180 minutes (OR 3.45, P = .002), and lower stone-free rate (OR 0.13, P = .001). Conclusion The KUB system identifies stents at risk for requiring multiple surgeries, multimodal surgery, and operative time > 180 minutes. It also correlates with stone-free rate. This grading system can help surgeons manage patient expectations and predict surgical complexity.
Declining Collateral and Increasing Low Leverage Firms

I investigate the relationship between declining collateral and increasing low leverage firms by separating it from a reduced propensity to finance with debt. I find that the annual decline in the collateral-to-asset ratio is approximately 1.0% between 1977 and 2010, and that firms with the least collateral have the highest fraction of low leverage firms and the largest proportional increase over time. There is also an inverse relationship between collateral and the deficiency to be highly levered, and the magnitude of the relationship varies with a firm’s asset structure. These results suggest that declining collateral provides an important partial explanation for the increasing fraction of low leverage firms.
Evaluation of 99mTc tetrofosmin formulation change on syringe residual

1173 Objectives In 2012 the commercial formulation was changed. Our primary aim was to compare formulations of 99mTc-tetrofosmin (A=old and B=new) for residual in disposable plastic syringes. Our secondary aim was to analyze what effect rinsing the syringe had on residual activity for the currently available formulation (B). Methods Data was collected previously on 41 non-rinsed clinic dosages from formulation A that were assayed before and after administration. 61 non-rinsed clinic dosages from formulation B were assayed before and after administration and percent residual activity was compared with formulation A using an independent t-test. To compare the effect of rinsing, 209 dosages rinsed with normal saline from formulation B were assayed before and after administration and compared to non-rinsed clinic formulation B dosages. In addition, 30 dosages from formulation B were prepared in the nuclear pharmacy according to package insert instructions, assayed before and after emptying, then rinsed and re-assayed.Formulation B rinsed verses not rinsed in both settings was analyzed using a two-way ANOVA model. Results There was no statistically significant difference between Formula A and B mean syringe residual (t(100)=-0.08, p=0.94). The average syringe residual for formula A and B were 15.5% (95%CI: 13.7%-17.3) and 15.4% (95%CI: 14.2%-16.6) respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between residual pre- and post-rinsing, both in the clinic setting and in the pharmacy setting. Rinsed syringes had a 6.1% (95%CI: 4.9-7.4) lower residual proportion than not rinsed syringes. Conclusions The newer formulation of 99mTc tetrofosmin did not show any significant difference in syringe residual when compared to the older formulation. However, rinsing with normal saline significantly affected the administered dose. Residual syringe activity should be investigated as a part of ongoing quality assurance when introducing new syringes, new drugs, or new formulations of current drugs.
A Contemporary Approach to Reoperative Aortic Valve Surgery: When is Less, More?

Objective Although the benefits of minimally invasive valvular surgery are well established, the applicability of extending these techniques to reoperative aortic valve surgery is unknown. We evaluated our experience with a minimally invasive approach to this patient population. Methods From January 2010 to September 2015, 21 patients underwent reoperative isolated aortic valve replacement via a minimally invasive approach by a single surgeon. All patients had preoperative evaluation with computerized tomography and coronary catheterization. Surgical approaches were right anterior thoracotomy (6/21) or upper hemisternotomy (15/21). Central aortic cannulation was preferred with femoral artery cannulation used in four patients (19%). In patients with left internal mammary artery (LIMA) grafts, no attempt to dissect or occlude the graft was made. Cold blood cardioplegia was administered antegrade (12/21) or retrograde (9/21); systemic cooling with a mean low temperature of 27.5 °C was employed. Results Mean age was 75.1 years with a range from 33 to 92 years, and 67% (14/21) were male. All procedures were completed with a minimally invasive approach. Mean ± SD cross-clamp time was 51.5 ± 9.2 minutes. Fourteen patients had patent LIMA grafts. No aortic, LIMA, or cardiac injuries occurred. There were no hospital deaths nor occurrences of perioperative myocardial infarction, stroke, wound infection, renal failure, or endocarditis/sepsis. One patient required a reoperation for bleeding. Sixty-two percent of patients were discharged to home; mean ± SD length of stay was 6 ± 3 days. Conclusions With appropriate preoperative evaluation and careful surgical planning, a minimally invasive approach to reoperative aortic valve surgery can be performed in a safe and effective manner.
Evidence of selective reporting bias in hematology journals: A systematic review.

Introduction Selective reporting bias occurs when chance or selective outcome reporting rather than the intervention contributes to group differences. The prevailing concern about selective reporting bias is the possibility of results being modified towards specific conclusions. In this study, we evaluate randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in hematology journals, a group in which selective outcome reporting has not yet been explored. Methods Our primary goal was to examine discrepancies between the reported primary and secondary outcomes in registered and published RCTs concerning hematological malignancies reported in hematology journals with a high impact factor. The secondary goals were to address whether outcome reporting discrepancies favored statistically significant outcomes, whether a pattern existed between the funding source and likelihood of outcome reporting bias, and whether temporal trends were present in outcome reporting bias. For trials with major outcome discrepancies, we contacted trialists to determine reasons for these discrepancies. Trials published between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2015 in Blood; British Journal of Haematology; American Journal of Hematology; Leukemia; and Haematologica were included. Results Of 499 RCTs screened, 109 RCTs were included. Our analysis revealed 118 major discrepancies and 629 total discrepancies. Among the 118 discrepancies, 30 (25.4%) primary outcomes were demoted, 47 (39.8%) primary outcomes were omitted, and 30 (25.4%) primary outcomes were added. Three (2.5%) secondary outcomes were upgraded to a primary outcome. The timing of assessment for a primary outcome changed eight (6.8%) times. Thirty-one major discrepancies were published with a P-value and twenty-five (80.6%) favored statistical significance. A majority of authors whom we contacted cited a pre-planned subgroup analysis as a reason for outcome changes. Conclusion Our results suggest that outcome changes occur frequently in hematology trials. Because RCTs ultimately underpin clinical judgment and guide policy implementation, selective reporting could pose a threat to medical decision making.
Bregman Divergence for Stochastic Variance Reduction: Saddle-Point and Adversarial Prediction

Adversarial machines, where a learner competes against an adversary, have regained much recent interest in machine learning. They are naturally in the form of saddle-point optimization, often with separable structure but sometimes also with unmanageably large dimension. In this work we show that adversarial prediction under multivariate losses can be solved much faster than they used to be. We first reduce the problem size exponentially by using appropriate sufficient statistics, and then we adapt the new stochastic variance-reduced algorithm of Balamurugan & Bach (2016) to allow any Bregman divergence. We prove that the same linear rate of convergence is retained and we show that for adversarial prediction using KL-divergence we can further achieve a speedup of #example times compared with the Euclidean alternative. We verify the theoretical findings through extensive experiments on two example applications: adversarial prediction and LPboosting.
Gut Microbiota Are Disease-Modifying Factors After Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts the autonomic nervous system (ANS), impairing its ability to coordinate organ function throughout the body. Emerging data indicate that the systemic pathology that manifests from ANS dysfunction exacerbates intraspinal pathology and neurological impairment. Precisely how this happens is unknown, although new data, in both humans and in rodent models, implicate changes in the composition of bacteria in the gut (i.e., the gut microbiota) as disease-modifying factors that are capable of affecting systemic physiology and pathophysiology. Recent data from rodents indicate that SCI causes gut dysbiosis, which exacerbates intraspinal inflammation and lesion pathology leading to impaired recovery of motor function. Postinjury delivery of probiotics containing various types of "good" bacteria can partially overcome the pathophysiologal effects of gut dysbiosis; immune function, locomotor recovery, and spinal cord integrity are partially restored by a sustained regimen of oral probiotics. More research is needed to determine whether gut dysbiosis varies across a range of clinically relevant variables, including sex, injury level, and injury severity, and whether changes in the gut microbiota can predict the onset or severity of common postinjury comorbidities, including infection, anemia, metabolic syndrome, and, perhaps, secondary neurological deterioration. Those microbial populations that dominate the gut could become "druggable" targets that could be manipulated via dietary interventions. For example, personalized nutraceuticals (e.g., pre- or probiotics) could be developed to treat the above comorbidities and improve health and quality of life after SCI.
From strings to coils: Rotational dynamics of DNA-linked colloidal chains

Using experiment, simulation, and analytical balances, the types of configurations and dynamics that arise from a rotating flexible DNA-linked particle chain are studied as a function of viscous, magnetic, and elastic forces on the chain. Complex dynamical modes like coiling and wagging are observed.
The effect of increased intracranial EEG sampling rates in clinical practice

Abstract Objective Recent research suggests that high frequency intracranial EEG (iEEG) may improve localization of epileptic networks. This study aims to determine whether recording macroelectrode iEEG with higher sampling rates improves seizure localization in clinical practice. Methods 14 iEEG seizures from 10 patients recorded with >2000 Hz sampling rate were downsampled to four sampling rates: 100, 200, 500, 1000 Hz. In the 56 seizures, seizure onset time and location was marked by 5 independent, blinded EEG experts. Results When reading iEEG under clinical conditions, there was no consistent difference in time or localization of seizure onset or number of electrodes involved in the seizure onset zone with sampling rates varying from 100 to 1000 Hz. Stratification of patients by outcome did not improve with higher sampling rate. Conclusion When utilizing standard clinical protocols, there was no benefit to acquiring iEEGs with sampling rate >100 Hz. Significant variability was noted in EEG marking both within and between individual expert EEG readers. Significance Although commercial equipment is capable of sampling much faster than 100 Hz, tools allowing visualization of subtle high frequency activity such as HFOs will be required to improve patient care. Quantitative methods may decrease reader variability, and potentially improve patient outcomes.
A standalone micro biochip to monitor the cancer progression by measuring cancer antigens as a point-of-care (POC) device for enhanced cancer management

FDA has approved the cancer biomarkers like CA-125 (Cancer Antigen-125), HE4 (Human Epididymis Protein 4), PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) etc., to monitor the cancer progression by measuring the concentration levels of biomarkers in the biofluid samples of the patients. This research paper explains the detection process of the Cancer Antigens-CA 125 from a micro volume of the biofluid sample. The biochip is incorporated with the sensing platform in a microfluidic channel to detect the cancer antigens during the biofluid flow in the microchannel. The sensing platform is designed with multiple layers, in order to enhance the antibody immobilization on nano circuit and thus the detection signal. The antigen-antibody interaction during the biofluid flow on the immobilized antibodies in the microchannel change the capacitance measurements in the sensing circuit. The change in the capacitance indicates the targeted cancer antigens concentration in the biofluid sample. The concentration of CA-125 antigens used in the experiment is 55ug/ml at a pH of 7.4, in order to establish the functionality of the biochip. The change in capacitance after the antigen-antibody interaction is 679.62 pF is when compared to the bare electrodes. The In-situ realtime measurement of cancer biomarkers from a finger prick blood sample in a simple and easy way using the micro biochip helps to monitor the cancer progression more easily and thus enable the enhanced cancer management.
Restructuring in high burnup UO2 studied using modern electron microscopy

Abstract Modern electron microscopy techniques were used to conduct a thorough study of an irradiated urania fuel pellet microstructure to attempt at an understanding of high burnup structure formation in this material. The fuel was irradiated at low power to high burnups in a light water reactor, proving ideal for this purpose. Examination of grain size and orientation with strict spatial selectivity across the fuel pellet radius allowed for capturing the progression of the restructuring process, from its onset to full completion. Based on this information, the polygonization mechanism was shown to be responsible for restructuring, involving formation of low-angle grain boundaries with their initiation occurring at the original high-angle grain boundaries of the as-fabricated pellet and at the gas bubble-matrix interfaces. The low-angle character of boundaries between the subdivided grains disappeared in the fully developed high burnup structure, likely due to creep deformation in the pellet.
Potentiation of Insulin Signaling Contributes to Heart Failure in Type 2 Diabetes: A Hypothesis Supported by Both Mechanistic Studies and Clinical Trials.

Summary The heightened risk of heart failure in type 2 diabetes cannot be explained by the occurrence of clinically overt myocardial ischemic events or hyperglycemia. Experimentally, insulin exerts detrimental effects on the heart, vasculature, kidneys, and adipose tissue that can lead to heart failure. In both randomized clinical trials and observational studies, antihyperglycemic drugs that act through insulin signaling (i.e., sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, and incretins) increase the risk or worsen the clinical course of heart failure, whereas drugs that ameliorate hyperinsulinemia and do not signal through insulin (i.e., metformin and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors) reduce the risk of heart failure.
From Granular Matter to Generalized Continuum

Following a cursory review and synthesis of multipolar continua, the rudiments of graph theory, and granular mechanics, a graph-theoretic, energy-based homogenization is proposed for the systematic derivation of multipolar stress and kinematics in granular media. This provides a weakly non-local hierarchy of multipolar field equations for quasi-static mechanics based on polynomial representations of the kinematics of the type employed in past works. As an improvement on those works, a method is proposed for avoiding ”overfitting” of fluctuations based on the so-called ”Generalized Additive Method” of statistics. Among other results, it is shown that the standard formula for Cauchy stress in granular media may break down owing to multipolar effects, and that granular rotations in the typical granular medium should not lead to Cosserat effects, as the lowest-order departure from the simple-continuum model.
3D Clock Routing for Pre-bond Testability

Pre-bond testing of 3D stacked ICs involves testing each individual die before bonding. The overall yield of 3D ICs improves with pre-bond testability because manufacturers can avoid stacking defective dies with good ones. However, pre-bond testability presents unique challenges to 3D clock tree design. First, each die needs a complete 2D clock tree to enable pre-bond test. Second, the entire 3D stack needs a complete 3D clock tree for post-bond test and operation. In the case of a two-die stack, a straightforward solution is to have two complete 2D clock trees connected with a single through-silicon-via (TSV). In this chapter, we show that this solution suffers from long wirelength and high clock power consumption. Our algorithm improves on this solution, minimizes the overall wirelength and clock power consumption, and provides both pre-bond testability and post-bond operability with minimum skew and constrained slew. Compared with the single-TSV solution, SPICE simulation results show that our multi-TSV approach significantly reduces the clock power by up to 15.9 % for two-die and 29.7 % for four-die stacks. In addition, the wirelength is reduced by up to 24.4 and 42.0 %.
Overview: Infectious Agents as Etiologic Triggers of Autoimmune Disease

Infectious agents, particularly viruses, are implicated in autoimmunity on the basis of three findings. First, autoimmune responses are made de novo or those already present are enhanced concomitant with infection by a wide variety of human DNA and RNA viruses. This point is strengthened by the second finding that, in experimental animals, both acute and persistent virus infections can induce, accelerate, or enhance autoimmune responses and cause autoimmune disease. For example, it has been shown that with the New Zealand mouse family, a genetically defined group of mice from which certain strains spontaneously develop autoimmunity, autoimmune manifestations normally present in NZB mice (DNA-specific antibodies, red blood cell-specific antibodies) or their (NZB × W) F1 relatives (DNA-specific antibodies) are enormously enhanced by persistent infection with either a DNA (polyoma) or RNA (lymphocytic choriomeningitis, LCMV) virus; that is, antibodies form earlier and reach higher titers in the infected mice than in their uninfected counterparts (Tonietti et al. 1970; Lampert and Oldstone 1973). Further, NZW mice, which normally do not develop these autoimmune responses, do so upon polyoma or LCMV infections. Indeed, the responses in NZB, (NZB × W) F1, or NZW mice are so marked that autoimmune diseases occur at a higher incidence with earlier time of death (NZB, (NZB × W)F1] or appear de novo (NZW). These events were subsequently repeated with a number of viruses, including retroviruses (reviewed Oldstone 1972). Third, utilizing an investigative approach that focuses on one potential mechanism where by microbes cause autoimmunity, molecular mimicry, a number of etiologic agents have been defined as potential causes of autoimmune disease (Oldstone 1987).
Abstract 8: The Membrane-associated Guanylate Kinase Ww and Pdz Domain-containing Protein 1 magi1 is Required for Disturbed Flow-induced Endothelial Inflammation and Atherosclerotic Plaque Formation

Rationale: Major chronic inflammatory diseases including inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis are clinically associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Atherosclerosis has long been recognized as an inflammatory process, which is initiated by the inflammation and dysfunction of endothelial cells (ECs). Genome-wide association study (GWAS) has identified a significant association between the deletion in ADAMTS9-MAGI1 locus with inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis, suggesting a potential involvement of MAGI1 in EC inflammation and its associated events. Objective: To investigate the role and regulatory mechanism of MAGI1 as well as MAGI1 post-translational modification in EC inflammation, after various pro-atherogenic stimuli. Methods and Results: MAGI1 depletion significantly inhibits NF-κB activation and adhesion molecule expression induced by various pro-atherogenic stimuli in both in vitro and in vivo. We show that p90RSK associates with MAG...
Risk of hematological and gastrointestinal toxicities in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors treated with everolimus: A meta-analysis of phase 3 randomized controlled trials.

e16184Background: Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are uncommon and can develop from multiple primary sites. Inhibition of mTOR signaling pathway has shown antiproliferative effects on NET and hence, ev...
Congressional Vote Analysis Using Signed Networks

In today's era of big data, much can be represented as a network. However, most of the work in traditional network analysis is unable to handle many existing network types, which is due to certain networks having added complexities. For example, signed networks, which have both positive and negative links, have been shown to require dedicated efforts due to the methods designed for typical unsigned networks (those having only positive links) being no longer applicable. One specific type of signed network is that of voting records, such as the Senate and House of Representatives from the U.S. Congress, which form signed bipartite networks between the congresspeople and the bills voted upon. With the current tensions between the two prominent political parties in the U.S., it seems time to ask the question if signed network analysis methods are able to aid in our understanding of the underlying dynamics of the voting habits in the U.S. Congress, since they drive some of the most influential decision making processes in the country. To this end, in this paper, we conduct a thorough analysis on the behaviors of both current and past U.S. Congress voting datasets uncovering numerous patterns, extending and then investigating the applicability of balance theory in the signed bipartite setting, and then finally leverage our findings to accurately predict the sign of missing links.
Developing a Theoretical Scaffolding for Interactional Competence: A Conceptual and Empirical Investigation into Competence Versus Expertise

This chapter argues that it is inappropriate to use the term “interactional expertise” in the context of laboratory ethnographies and engagement studies, such as the Socio-technical Integration Research (STIR) Project, where “embedded humanists,” who are not experts in laboratory science, use approaches from the social sciences and humanities to engage natural scientists. It posits that the goal in these situations is not to become an interactional expert in a particular field but to become conversational and knowledgeable to the extent of being able to ask questions that facilitate ethical and societal reflection in real time. It further proposes a new and different category that captures the abilities and knowledge cultivated in such cases, and argues that the term “interactional competence” is a more appropriate fit.
Academic Success Of Non-Traditional Students: Factors Affecting Performance In An Upper-Division Undergraduate Accounting Course

Many assessment activities are conducted within the context of AACSB International reaffirmation of business programs. Central to the AACSB evaluation process is assurance of learning standards. Learning goals vary among institutions because of differences in mission, faculty expectations, and student body composition. The objective of this research is to determine the factors that influence the academic performance of students in upper-level accounting courses and to assess student performance against course learning goals. The study explores the relative importance of both academic and non-academic factors in predicting performance outcomes. The results indicate that several academic factors (GPA, student’s diagnostic exam score, and student’s self-assessment of course learning objectives) are significant in predicting a student’s final numerical course average. The study also examines the association between student achievement of course learning goals and various non-academic demographic and student success factors. The results indicate that student course loads, employment status, marital status, and family responsibilities do not equally impact student learning outcomes. The study extends existing research by using non-traditional students at an upper-division university and a variety of approaches to assess the achievement of course learning goals.
Heme-FeIII Superoxide, Peroxide and Hydroperoxide Thermodynamic Relationships: FeIII-O2•- Complex H-Atom Abstraction Reactivity.

Establishing redox and thermodynamic relationships between metal-ion-bound O2 and its reduced (and protonated) derivatives is critically important for a full understanding of (bio)chemical processes involving dioxygen processing. Here, a ferric heme peroxide complex, [(F8)FeIII-(O22-)]- (P) (F8 = tetrakis(2,6-difluorophenyl)porphyrinate), and a superoxide complex, [(F8)FeIII-(O2•-)] (S), are shown to be redox interconvertible. Using Cr(η-C6H6)2, an equilibrium state where S and P are present is established in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at -80 °C, allowing determination of the reduction potential of S as -1.17 V vs Fc+/0. P could be protonated with 2,6-lutidinium triflate, yielding the low-spin ferric hydroperoxide species, [(F8)FeIII-(OOH)] (HP). Partial conversion of HP back to P using a derivatized phosphazene base gave a P/HP equilibrium mixture, leading to the determination of pKa = 28.8 for HP (THF, -80 °C). With the measured reduction potential and pKa, the O-H bond dissociation free energy (BDFE) of hydroperoxide species HP was calculated to be 73.5 kcal/mol, employing the thermodynamic square scheme and Bordwell relationship. This calculated O-H BDFE of HP, in fact, lines up with an experimental demonstration of the oxidizing ability of S via hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) from TEMPO-H (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperdine-N-hydroxide, BDFE = 66.5 kcal/mol in THF), forming the hydroperoxide species HP and TEMPO radical. Kinetic studies carried out with TEMPO-H(D) reveal second-order behavior, kH = 0.5, kD = 0.08 M-1 s-1 (THF, -80 °C); thus, the hydrogen/deuterium kinetic isotope effect (KIE) = 6, consistent with H-atom abstraction by S being the rate-determining step. This appears to be the first case where experimentally derived thermodynamics lead to a ferric heme hydroperoxide OO-H BDFE determination, that FeIII-OOH species being formed via HAT reactivity of the partner ferric heme superoxide complex.
Chapter 14 – Biliopancreatic Diversion

Biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) represents a malabsorptive procedure in the surgical treatment of obesity. It combines the best results in weight loss with an acceptable rate of nutritional adverse effects. BPD was devised by Scopinaro to reduce the absorption of ingested calories, mainly from fat, limiting the contact between biliopancreatic secretions and food. BPD can be performed in two ways, the original Scopinaro method, and the “duodenal switch,” a pylorus-preserving gastrectomy. BPD allows resolution or improvement of comorbidities, particularly diabetes. BPD shares with RYGBP efficacy in diabetes treatment, not only reducing weight, but also changing gastrointestinal transit. In long-term follow-up, BPD requires tight control to prevent protein malnutrition, anemia, and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Adequate lifelong prevention through the administration of multivitamins and minerals is necessary. A physiological approach to this procedure aims to attain the best results in terms of weight loss and quality of life, minimizing nutritional problems.
Reliability Analytics for Cloud Based Distributed Databases

We present RADD, an innovative analytic pipeline used to measure reliability and availability for cloud-based distributed databases by leveraging the vast amount of telemetry present in the cloud. RADD can perform root cause analysis (RCA) to provide a minute-by-minute summary of the availability of a database close to real-time. On top of this data, RADD can raise alerts, analyze the stability of new versions during their deployment, and provide Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that allow us to understand the stability of our system across all deployed databases. RADD implements an event correlation framework that puts the emphasis on data compliance and uses information entropy to measure causality and reduce noisy signals. It also uses statistical modelling to analyze new versions of the product and detect potential regressions early in our software development lifecycle. We demonstrate the application of RADD on top of Azure Synapse Analytics, where the system has helped us identify top-hitting and new issues and support on-call teams regarding every aspect of database health.
Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy in the Hospital Is Associated With Linkage to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Care for Persons Living With HIV and Substance Use Disorder.

Background Studies have demonstrated benefits of ART initiation on the day of HIV testing or at first clinical visit, regardless of CD4 count. The hospital setting is under-studied for immediate ART initiation. Methods CTN0049, a linkage to care randomized clinical trial, enrolled 801 persons living with HIV (PLWH) and substance use disorder (SUD) from 11 hospitals across the U.S. This secondary analysis examined factors related to initiating (including re-initiating) ART in the hospital and its association with linkage to HIV care, frequency of outpatient care visits, retention in care and viral suppression. Results Of 801 participants, 15% (124/801) initiated ART in the hospital, with more than two-thirds of these participants (65%;80/124) initiating ART for the first time. Time to first HIV care visit among those who initiated ART in the hospital and those who did not was 29 and 54 days, respectively, (p=0.0145). Hospital initiation of ART was associated with increased frequency of HIV outpatient care visits at 6-month (aOR=1.39, 95% CI [1.02, 1.88]) and 12-month follow-up assessments (aOR=1.53, 95% CI [1.15, 2.04]). There was no association with ART initiation in the hospital and retention in HIV care and viral suppression over a 12-month period. Participants recruited in Southern hospitals (compared to non-Southern hospitals) were less likely to initiate ART in the hospital (p Conclusions Previous research demonstrated benefits of immediate ART initiation, yet this approach is not widely implemented, particularly in the hospital setting with PLWH and SUD. Findings suggest starting ART in the hospital is beneficial for increasing linkage to HIV care and frequency of visits for PLWH and SUD. Implementation research should address patient and provider barriers to early ART initiation in the hospital.
Cine, revolución y resistencia. La política cultural del Instituto Cubano del Arte e Industria Cinematográficos (ICAIC) hacia América Latina

En la presente investigacion se aborda la politica cultural desarrollada por el ICAIC hacia America Latina a lo largo del ultimo medio siglo. Fundado tan solo tres meses despues del triunfo de la Revolucion cubana, el 24 de marzo de 1959, y considerado una de las instituciones culturales mas relevantes de los ultimos cincuenta anos en la Isla, el estudio de las relaciones entre el ICAIC y Latinoamerica permite un acercamiento a la politica del gobierno cubano hacia la region durante la segunda mitad del siglo XX.
Impact of Obesity on Mortality in Adult Trauma Patients

Introduction Trauma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality amongst all populations in the United States. With the widespread increase of obesity in the United States, studies have been conducted to compare different body mass index (BMI) groups and their clinical outcomes for traumatic injuries. The goal of this study was to retrospectively compare mortality between adult trauma patients with a high BMI to those with a lower BMI as well as investigate whether the mechanism of trauma had an effect on the outcome. Methods This study was a retrospective review of all adult trauma patients presented to the emergency department at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) between January 2014 and October 2019. The outcome was all-cause mortality. Patients were grouped according to BMI and mechanisms of injury, including blunt trauma, low velocity penetrating trauma, and high velocity penetrating trauma. Patients were also stratified by injury severity scores (ISS). Results Among the 9642 patients assessed in this study, majority (88%) of patients sustained blunt trauma. The number of patients among the three different BMI groups was appropriately equal with 34.4% of normal BMI, 34.6% overweight, and 31.1% obese. The overall mortality of all patients studied was 2.6% (n=248). There was no statistically significant difference in mortality among the three different BMI groups for blunt trauma, penetrating trauma, and subgroup analyses stratified by ISS score (ISS<16 or ISS ≥ 16). Conclusion Our study found no statistically significant differences in mortality among the three BMI groups in regard to mortality, even when stratified by ISS, or mechanism of injury, and traumatic velocities.
Troublesome knowledge for entry-level PhD nursing students: Threshold concepts essential for the research-focused doctorate.

Abstract Background Evidence supports that PhD doctoral students experience conceptually difficult knowledge, or troublesome knowledge, during their studies. These areas of troublesome knowledge are often associated with threshold concepts, those ideas specific to a discipline that must be understood to advance ways of thinking and making knowledge in the discipline. Purpose To examine troublesome knowledge identified by a group of PhD nursing students during an introductory course and to consider threshold concepts related to that knowledge. Method Design: Case study research methodology. Sample: 18 entry-level PhD nursing students recruited with convenience sampling. Data collection: Content analysis was used to analyze data collected from student reflective learning journals. Journal data was triangulated with formative and summative faculty assessments of student learning. Results Three essential threshold concepts for entry-level PhD nursing students were identified: developing new ways of knowing, constructing researcher and writer identity, and positioning within the nursing research community. Analysis indicates that entry-level students found the threshold concept of constructing researcher and writer identity most troublesome. Conclusion A PhD introductory nursing course which includes metacognitive activities, scaffolding of assignments, and early positioning within the research community can assist students with mastery of threshold concepts for the research-focused doctorate.
Free-Range Humans: Permaculture Farming as a Biosemiosic Model for Political Organization

Modern agricultural approaches attempt to substitute biological self-reinforcing networks, which naturally sustain healthy food economies, with technology that seeks to control nature — not work with it. Artificial solutions (caging, pesticides, genetic engineering) tend to address symptoms of problems that the artificial approach has itself created. The great error of modern agriculture is the assumption that Nature is not intelligent. In fact, we can learn much from natural smart technologies that far out-perform recently invented artificial “smart” technologies. These lessons can also be applied to other political and economic systems, allowing self-organization to foster creativity and intelligence in the populace at large.