cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of short sleep duration and rapid decline in renal function

The kidney is influenced by circadian rhythms and is entrained to the sleep-wake cycle allowing anticipation of the metabolic and physiological demands of the kidney throughout a 24-hour cycle. Although sleep disruption has been studied extensively in cardiovascular and metabolic disease, its association with chronic kidney disease has not been shown. We examined this in a prospective cohort study of 4238 participants from the Nurses' Health Study and analyzed the association of self-reported sleep duration with decline in renal function over an 11-year period (1989 to 2000). Individuals who reported shorter sleep duration were more likely to experience a rapid decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (30% or more). Compared with sleeping 7 to 8 hours per night, the adjusted odds ratios for a rapid decline in renal function were a significant 1.79 (95% CI, 1.06–3.03) for 5 hours or less sleep per night, a significant 1.31 (95% CI, 1.01–1.71) for 6 hours sleep per night, but an insignificant 0.88 (95% CI, 0.50–1.57) for 9 or more hours sleep per night. Similarly, there was a significant trend in the adjusted annualized decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate of 1.2 ml/min/1.73 m 2 /year, 0.9 ml/min/1.73 m 2 /year, 0.8 ml/min/1.73 m 2 /year, and 0.8 ml/min/1.73 m 2 /year for individuals sleeping 5 hours or less per night, 6 hours per night, 7 to 8 hours per night, and 9 hours or more per night, respectively. Thus, shorter sleep duration is prospectively and independently associated with faster decline in renal function.
Right to die, euthanasia, and community sentiment: crossing the public/private boundary.

Three questions guide this research: Would nullifications occur in active euthanasia cases where the right to die is asserted? What sentiments would the community express, and how would those sentiments relate to nullifications? What variables would best predict verdict? Mock jurors offered reasons for their verdicts for four cases where all elements of first degree murder appeared to be satisfied. The cases varied thecompetency of the patient, theintent of the patient—if the wish to die was expressed, and whether a living will was present, and whether the defendant soughtcourt approval. Sizable nullifications (25% not guilty verdicts) and partial nullifications (39% guilty to lesser offenses) resulted. Some subjects viewed this as not a legal matter, but a private matter; others acknowledged the law's place, but viewed the law's position as wrong; still others nullified by using a common sense rather than a legal definition ofmalice. In this life-and-death matter, black letter law and common sense justice were not only far apart, but, in the eyes of some, irreconcilably so.
From imagination to action: building a commons movement from the ground up: an interview with Julie Ristau and Alexa Bradley

On the Commons (OTC) is a commons movement strategy center founded in 2001. Through workshops, presentations, and direct consultation and support, OTC brings visibility to the commons movement, initiates and catalyzes commons work, and supports the development of commons-based solutions and leadership. Readers can access OTC’s Commons Magazine and online resource center at www.onthecommons.org. The following interview with OTC Co-director Julie Ristau and Program Director Alexa Bradley was conducted by Tom O’Connell in Minneapolis, MN, on 28 June 2013. Editorial assistance was provided by OTC Senior Fellow Jay Walljasper. Tom: How did you first learn about the commons? Julie: I was introduced to the commons back in 2005 after many years doing community organizing in both rural and urban settings. When I first learned about this idea of the commons, I completely resonated with it. I was stuck in the work I was doing, feeling there was more that mattered than framing issues and figuring out the next set of activities. It just felt like a breakthrough of sorts. The commons was a positive way of thinking about what we could stand for and what we were missing in our lives. It seemed a less rigid way of thinking about organizing. It felt more about connecting people and less about professionalized organizing and campaigns. Alexa: I actually heard about the commons from Julie. I remember getting an invitation from Julie to a gathering that she was developing with others involved in the early days of On the Commons. It was such a significant moment because I was at a point in my own work where I was struggling
Low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary or peritoneum

Over the past decade, the strategy for clinical trial design in making progress against epithelial cancers of the ovary/peritoneum/fallopian tube has changed dramatically. The NRG (GOG) Rare Tumor Committee has been a leader in this transformation. No longer does 'one size fit all'. Rather, separate clinical trials for rare subtypes have been developed and, in some cases, completed. An enhanced understanding of their pathologic diagnosis, molecular biology, and clinical behavior has galvanized this change. Low-grade serous carcinoma may occur de novo or following an initial diagnosis of serous tumor of low malignant potential. It is characterized by young age at diagnosis, relative chemoresistance, and prolonged survival compared with high-grade serous carcinoma. Historically, conventional chemotherapy has demonstrated very limited activity in this subtype. Hormonal therapy may provide benefit in this subtype. Preclinical studies have identified and elucidated genes and pathways-MAP kinase pathway, IGF1-R, the angiogenesis pathway, and possibly, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in low-grade serous carcinoma. To date, clinical evidence supports the activity of MEK and BRAF inhibitors and bevacizumab. Further pursuit of targeted therapy trials is clearly warranted.
Entrevistas a María Reimóndez, Rosa Montero y Julia Otxoa: el arte de la escritura y el activismo

Writings by contemporary Peninsular authors, Maria Reimondez (Galicia, 1975 -), Rosa Montero (Madrid, 1951 -), and Julia Otxoa (Pais Vasco, 1953 -) display, not only a deep awareness of local and national matters but also a noteworthy engagement with broader issues of a global nature. Their works highlight, furthermore, the strong presence of female voices and perspectives in two distinct generations of Peninsular writers, as well as marked ideological differences among Spanish intellectuals with regards to Spain’s political configuration. Their works reflect the plurality of languages, cultures, and geographies that make up the Iberian Peninsula today and foreground the complex and often conflictive experience of living in a multiregional and multicultural nation. This article provides a concise critical introduction to each author’s work and interviews with all three. The introduction to Maria Reimondez’s work focuses on the role of feminism and postcolonialism in the context of identity and nation. Her...
Rapid Antigen Testing for Trichomoniasis in an Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Trichomoniasis is a prevalent cause of vaginitis among adolescents that increases the risk of acquiring other sexually transmitted diseases and of negative pregnancy outcomes. Treatment of trichomoniasis is therefore essential for improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes. A timely, sensitive diagnostic test for T vaginalis may increase the accuracy of clinician’s treatment decisions, resulting in more infected women receiving treatment and fewer uninfected women receiving treatment. METHODS: This study was a retrospective observational assessment of electronic medical records before and after point-of-care (POC) implementation of the rapid antigen test. Records were collected from women aged 14 to 20 years who received a T vaginalis test in the emergency department during either study period. The main outcome measures were rates of accurate treatment, inaccurate treatment, and missed treatment of trichomoniasis in each study period. RESULTS: Overall rates of accurate treatment increased from 78.7% pre-POC to 87.7% post-POC (P = .02). Specifically, rates of not treating uninfected women increased from 61.4% pre-POC to 70.4% post-POC (P = .06), and rates of treating infected women were the same pre-POC (17.3%) and post-POC (17.3%; P = .99). Rates of inaccurate treatment decreased from 23.1% pre-POC to 13.1% post-POC (P = .02). Changes in missed treatment rates (14.0% pre-POC; 8.8% post-POC; P = .73) were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: POC testing can improve clinical care by decreasing the use of antibiotics in uninfected women. The results of this study support the use of a T vaginalis rapid antigen POC test for adolescents presenting to the emergency department.
Intellectual Property in the New Technological Age: 2016 - Chapters 1 and 2

Rapid advances in digital and life sciences technology continue to spur the evolution of intellectual property law. As professors and practitioners in this field know all too well, Congress and the courts continue to develop intellectual property law and jurisprudence at a rapid pace. For that reason, we have significantly augmented and revised "Intellectual Property in the New Technological Age.The 2016 Edition reflects the following principal developments:● Trade Secrets: Congress passed the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, one of the most momentous changes in the history of trade secret protection. The new law opens up the federal courts to trade secret cases, provides for ex parte seizures of misappropriated trade secrets in “extraordinary circumstances,” and establishes immunity for whistleblowers.● Patents: The past several years have witnessed some of the most significant developments in U.S. patent history — from the establishment of the new administrative review proceedings at the Patent Office to important shifts in patent-eligibility, claim indefiniteness, and enhanced damages at the Supreme Court and means-plus-function claim interpretation and infringement doctrine at the Federal Circuit. We have restructured the patent chapter to illuminate these areas. We have also significantly expanded coverage of design patents in response to the growing importance of this form of protection.● Copyrights: The Supreme Court issued important decisions addressing the public performance right and the first sale doctrine. The past few years also witnessed important developments in the Online Service Provider safe harbor, fair use, and state protection for pre-1972 sound recordings. We have also integrated the digital copyright materials into a unified treatment of copyright law and substantially revamped the fair use section to reflect the broadening landscape of this important doctrine. ● Trademarks: We have integrated important cases on federal registrability of disparaging marks, merchandising rights, likelihood of confusion on the Internet, and remedies.● Other State Protections: We have updated material on the right of publicity, an active and growing area. We have also reorganized the chapter and focused it on IP regimes.
External monitoring in multiclinic trials: Applications from ophthalmologic studies

The editing of data by the statistical center is only one element in assuring data quality in multiclinic trials. Our experience in assuring the quality of the visual acuity measurement in multiclinic trials of eye disease illustrates the need for a more comprehensive approach. The visual acuity measurement is influenced by a number of physical variables and by possible personal biases on the part of both patient and examiner. Although a detailed “cookbook” protocol was written in an attempt to assure uniformity of equipment and procedures and to minimize personal biases, we found in our visits to the clinics that each protocol element was violated by at least one clinic. To prevent these problems, a central clinic-monitoring system similar to that used in the Lipid Research Clinic Program was instituted. Our experience in monitoring multiclinic trials leads us to the foltowing conclusions: First, responsibility for a comprehensive program of data quality assurance should be vested in a central authority. Second, a clinic coordinator at each clinic with detailed knowledge of alt aspects of clinic performance and with responsibility for monitoring adherence to the protocol is an important element in this comprehensive program. Third, much of the work essential to adequate quality assurance should be done before the study starts. This includes training and certification of personnel and pretesting of procedures and data forms. In long-term studies, because of the turnover in clinic personnel, training and certification must be an ongoing process. Fourth, there must be continual communication, both by telephone and in person, between the central monitoring group and the clinic. As part of this communication, there should be routine and systematic examination of all aspects of clinic performance.
The Hemoclip: a novel approach to endoscopic therapy for esophageal perforation.

The endoscopic management of selected patients with esophageal perforation has been described previously. Although surgical management is the preferred therapy for most episodes of esophageal perforation, some patients are not candidates for extensive surgical procedures. Endoscopic therapy has an advantage in that it can be performed in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit. Previously a covered stent has been placed endoscopically to cover the esophagopleural fistula. In our patient the Hemoclip device was used primarily to close the esophageal defect. We feel that the technique of endoscopic repair with the Hemoclip device may be of benefit in selected patients.
Assessing camera performance for quantitative microscopy.

Abstract Charge-coupled device and, increasingly, scientific complementary metal oxide semiconductor cameras are the most common digital detectors used for quantitative microscopy applications. Manufacturers provide technical specification data on the average or expected performance characteristics for each model of camera. However, the performance of individual cameras may vary, and many of the characteristics that are important for quantitation can be easily measured. Though it may seem obvious, it is important to remember that the digitized image you collect is merely a representation of the sample itself—and no camera can capture a perfect representation of an optical image. A clear understanding and characterization of the sources of noise and imprecision in your camera are important for rigorous quantitative analysis of digital images. In this chapter, we review the camera performance characteristics that are most critical for generating accurate and precise quantitative data and provide a step-by-step protocol for measuring these characteristics in your camera.
Fluorescent single-stranded DNA-binding proteins enable in vitro and in vivo studies

Fluorescent single-stranded DNA-binding proteins (SSB) that have a defined number of fluorophores per tetramer are invaluable tools to understand biochemical mechanism and biological function. Here, we describe the purification of fluorescent SSB chimeras with a unique number of fluorescent subunits incorporated per tetramer. We describe the use of these tetramers to enable clear visualization of SSB in vivo. Purified chimeras also facilitate single molecule studies (Liu et al., Protein Sci 20:1005-1020, 2011).
Abortion: the new debate

The course of the debate on abortion following the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion has been marked by a variety of medical and scientific developments. Many of these new developments have important legal, psychologic, social, moral, and political implications. The cumulative impact of all these developments may pose a significant challenge to the social and legal foundations of Roe v. Wade.
Bio- and Inorganic Fouling

Fouling is generally undesirable for most applications (Bhushan in Springer handbook of nanotechnology, 3rd edition. Springer, New York 2010; Encyclopedia of nanotechnology, vol 1–4. Springer, New York 2012). Fouling includes biological fouling (commonly referred to as biofouling) and inorganic fouling. Biofouling is the accumulation of unwanted biological matter on surfaces, with biofilms created by microorganisms, and macroscale biofouling (simply called macrofouling) created by macroorganisms. Inorganic fouling is fouling that results from the accumulation of non-living particles, and includes deposits of dirt, corrosion, crystals, suspended particles, oil, and ice.
Picosecond Optics Studies of Phonon Propagation in Glasses

Despite much work a microscopic understanding of the way that heat flows in a glass still does not exist. The thermal conductivity к has been measured over a broad temperature range for a large number of glasses and other amorphous solids. The results exhibit surprisingly universal behavior [1,2]. Below 1 K к varies approximately as T 2. Above this temperature there is a temperature—independent region (the “plateau”), followed by a steady rise in k with increasing temperature.If one analyses these data using the kinetic formula [3] $$ k = \frac{1} {3}C(T) , $$ (1) where υ is the Debye velocity, C(T) the specific heat, and the average phonon mean free path, one obtains results of the type shown in Fig. 1 [1]. The mean free path varies approximately as T −1 below 1 K, then undergoes a very rapid decrease with increasing T to a value which is only a few lattice spacings. After this drop remains approximately constant up to room temperature.
Reading Plunkitt of Tammany Hall in the Context of Late Nineteenth Century Party Nationalization

Plunkitt of Tammany Hall is often read as simply an apology for machine politics. Drawing on a close reading of Plunkitt and contemporary Tammany sources, this article challenges the conventional reading of the text, and orients readers toward the book's critique of developments in national politics, particularly under the party leadership of Grover Cleveland and William Jennings Bryan. In addition to defending machine politics, Plunkitt defends the traditional, Jacksonian party organization against nationalizing trends in U.S. party politics at the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth centuries.
Detection of Damage of Epoxy Composites Using Carbon Nanotube Network

A detailed experimental study is conducted to understand damage initiation and growth in epoxy particulate composites using a multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) conductive network under two different loading conditions: (a) quasi-static shear and (b) fracture. Two different particulates (a) Cenospheres (aluminum silicate hollow spheres), and (b) carboxyl-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile copolymer (CTBN) rubber of three different volume fractions (10%, 20% and 30%) and mass fractions (10phr, 20phr and 30phr) respectively are used in thermoset epoxy resin composites. First, MWCNTs are well dispersed in an epoxy matrix using ultrasonication, and later the above particulates are added and shear-mixed into the solution to prepare composites. A v-notch rail shear specimen configuration for shear experiments, and single edge notch tension (SENT) configuration for fracture are considered in this experimental study. A four-point probe methodology along with high-resolution data acquisition is employed to capture electrical-resistance response of network changes associated with non-linear deformation, damage initiation and growth within composites under said loading conditions. It is identified from experiments that the electrical response associated with the above mechanisms is quite different with the addition of particulates compared to that of epoxy with no particulate.
Satō’s First Year in Power, 1964–1965

Satō’s elevation to prime minister in November 1964 came at a time of great changes in international relations in Asia. A month prior to his assuming office China detonated a nuclear device. Grappling with security, particularly with the question of nuclear weapons, characterised Satō’s relations with the United States over the course of his tenure, as did the broader question of diplomatic recognition of China and its representation at the United Nations. Vietnam would become another item of pressing concern between Japan and the United States. A month after President Lyndon Baines Johnson assumed office following John F. Kennedy’s assassination, he was warned by his Defence Secretary, Robert McNamara, that ‘the situation is very disturbing. Current trends, unless reversed in the next 2–3 months, will lead to neutralisation at best and more likely to a communist-controlled state’.1 The Johnson administration steadily escalated its commitment to South Vietnam. In August 1964 the United States used what was portrayed as an unprovoked attack by North Vietnam on its warships in international waters in the Gulf of Tonkin as a casus belli. This prompted Congress to pass the South East Asia Resolution, which approved the use of force. That the attack in question may not have happened and that North Vietnamese actions in the Gulf of Tonkin were far from unprovoked only came to light years after the event.2
Analysis of Network Topologies Underlying Ethylene Growth Response Kinetics.

Most models for ethylene signaling involve a linear pathway. However, measurements of seedling growth kinetics when ethylene is applied and removed have resulted in more complex network models that include coherent feedforward, negative feedback, and positive feedback motifs. However, the dynamical responses of the proposed networks have not been explored in a quantitative manner. Here, we explore (i) whether any of the proposed models are capable of producing growth-response behaviors consistent with experimental observations and (ii) what mechanistic roles various parts of the network topologies play in ethylene signaling. To address this, we used computational methods to explore two general network topologies: The first contains a coherent feedforward loop that inhibits growth and a negative feedback from growth onto itself (CFF/NFB). In the second, ethylene promotes the cleavage of EIN2, with the product of the cleavage inhibiting growth and promoting the production of EIN2 through a positive feedback loop (PFB). Since few network parameters for ethylene signaling are known in detail, we used an evolutionary algorithm to explore sets of parameters that produce behaviors similar to experimental growth response kinetics of both wildtype and mutant seedlings. We generated a library of parameter sets by independently running the evolutionary algorithm many times. Both network topologies produce behavior consistent with experimental observations and analysis of the parameter sets allows us to identify important network interactions and parameter constraints. We additionally screened these parameter sets for growth recovery in the presence of sub-saturating ethylene doses, which is an experimentally-observed property that emerges in some of the evolved parameter sets. Finally, we probed simplified networks maintaining key features of the CFF/NFB and PFB topologies. From this, we verified observations drawn from the larger networks about mechanisms underlying ethylene signaling. Analysis of each network topology results in predictions about changes that occur in network components that can be experimentally tested to give insights into which, if either, network underlies ethylene responses.
Studies on Early Embryonic Nutrition

In the late 1950s, we initiated an investigative program that appeared to be completely unrelated to placental transport, yolk sac dysfunction, or teratogenesis. We were interested in the changing pattern of tissue antigens throughout embryonic development and especially in the importance of cell surface macro-molecules in embryonic development. As a part of that project, we raised numerous heterologous antisera against embryonic and adult rat tissues. During localization studies with these antisera in pregnant rats, we discovered that rabbit anti-rat kidney serum was a potent teratogenic agent (Fig. 14. 1).1 Kidney antiserum produced teratogenesis growth retardation, and embryonic death during the entire perid of early organogenesis. The higher the dose, the greater the effect (Table 14. 1).
Two Hundred Years of Textile Factories in the U.S. South: Assessment of Architecture for Vernacular Impact and Technology Change

During the 1800s, many textile manufacturers moved to the U.S. South for economic and geographic reasons, fueling economic growth in the South. Although extensive documentation exists about textile...
Community-level prejudice and mortality among immigrant groups.

This study assesses whether anti-immigrant prejudice at the community level is prospectively associated with mortality. We used 10 waves of data from the General Social Survey (GSS) that were linked to mortality data via the National Death Index (NDI) for the period between 1993 and 2014 (n = 13,242). The 2014 GSS-NDI dataset is a nationally representative sample reporting social characteristics and attitudes in the United States that was prospectively linked to mortality data. Community-level prejudice was measured with 5 questions regarding anti-immigrant sentiments across 123 communities, defined using primary sampling units. Cox proportional hazards models tested the association between anti-immigrant prejudice and mortality hazard, controlling for covariates at the individual and community levels. Findings showed that among "other race" respondents, those born in the US had higher risk of mortality in communities with greater anti-immigrant prejudice, whereas foreign-born "other race" respondents had lower risk of mortality in communities with greater anti-immigrant prejudice. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the "other race" category was comprised largely of Asians and Hispanics, and that these results were similar for both groups. In contrast, anti-immigrant prejudice was not associated with mortality for foreign-born immigrants who self-report as white or black. We provide various hypotheses for why US-born immigrant groups seem to suffer higher mortality risk, while foreign-born immigrant groups do not, when they live in communities with high levels of prejudice.
Propagating elastic vibrations dominate thermal conduction in amorphous silicon

The thermal atomic vibrations of amorphous solids can be distinguished by whether they propagate as elastic waves or do not propagate due to lack of atomic periodicity. In a-Si, prior works concluded that nonpropagating waves are the dominant contributors to heat transport, with propagating waves being restricted to frequencies less than a few THz and scattered by anharmonicity. Here, we present a lattice and molecular dynamics analysis of vibrations in a-Si that supports a qualitatively different picture in which propagating elastic waves dominate the thermal conduction and are scattered by local fluctuations of elastic modulus rather than anharmonicity. We explicitly demonstrate the propagating nature of waves up to around 10 THz, and further show that pseudoperiodic structures with homogeneous elastic properties exhibit a marked temperature dependence characteristic of anharmonic interactions. Our work suggests that most heat is carried by propagating elastic waves in a-Si and demonstrates that manipulating local elastic modulus variations is a promising route to realize amorphous materials with extreme thermal properties.
The activation of C3H/HeJ cells by certain types of lipopolysaccharides.

Experimentation with the endotoxin non-responder C3H/HeJ mouse has provided considerable insight into the genetic control of the pathophysiological and immunobiological effects induced by lipopolysaccharide endotoxin (LPS); however, the mechanism underlying this deficiency has never been fully elucidated. At the cellular level much of the research has focused on the B-lymphocyte of the C3H/HeJ strain. Although it is known that C3H/HeJ B-cells can respond to protein mitogens (8, 13, 14), there is no conclusive evidence that typical protein-free LPS or lipid A can stimulate DNA synthesis or polyclonal antibody production by these cells equivalent to that seen with normal responder cells. However, recently several reports have appeared indicating that C3H/HeJ spleen cells in culture could be stimulated by certain forms of LPS to proliferate to some extent. By gel filtration chromatography, Vukajlovich and Morrison prepared homogeneous monomeric components of E. coli 055:B5 LPS (17). One of these fractions, which was protein-free, enriched in lipid A and contained a trace of 0-antigen, induced a significant but limited amount of 3H-thymidine incorporation by C3H/HeJ splenic lymphocytes as compared to responder C3HeB/FeJ cells (17). Vogel et al., (16) reported that a lipid A precursor obtained from a temperature sensitive mutant of S. typhimurium was active for C3H/HeJ B-cells and macrophages although the preparation contained a trace of protein. In contrast, the lipid X precursor of Raetz et al., (10) from E. coli failed to stimulate C3H/HeJ cells although it is a polyclonal B-cell activator (PBA) for LPSresponder cells. With the advent of synthetic lipid A, studies on its activity and various analogues were initiated with responder and non-responder cells. Kumazawa et al., (3) reported that one non-posphorylated derivative containing 3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid stimulated 3H-thymidine uptake 3 to 6-fold in C3H/HeJ spleen cells although the net cpms were half that obtained with C3H/HeN responder cells. Synthetic lipid A as well as all of the other derivatives which were monophosphorylated, diphosphorylated, or nonphosphorylated and contained various mixtures of myristic and hydromyristic acids were inactive on C3H/HeJ cells (3). Finally, Girard et al., (2) reported that the LPS from B. pertussis was active in stimulating C3H/HeJ splenic lymphocytes to proliferate but the activity was ascribed to the polysaccharide components rather than the lipid A.
Success, Hierarchy, and Inequality Under Uncertainty

Domains with a lot of uncertainty have the highest likelihood of skilled people failing. Those that succeed the most under uncertainty are often simply those that tried harder and whose early luck compounded. By fostering hierarchical organization in a group, uncertainty ultimately leads to inequality. Wealth inequality in a population arises from risky decisions being taken under uncertainty by the vital few: The more adventurous traders are, the greater their fortune, and the fewer lucky ones there are. Scarcity also promotes inequality by necessitating competition and fueling conspicuous consumption. Existing econometric data suggest that rising income inequality is a global phenomenon, occurring whenever the national economy is out of step with the world average. Rampant inequality may transform the uncertainty of national economic development into uncertainty of international relations.
Proliferation index of different Gleason pattern 4 histomorphologies and associated pattern 3 adenocarcinoma of the prostate

Gleason grade is one of the most powerful prognostic indicators for adenocarcinoma of the prostate. A higher proliferation index of prostatic adenocarcinoma has been demonstrated in numerous studies to be significantly associated with more aggressive behavior. To date, the proliferation index of the different Gleason pattern 4 histomorphologies, including cribriform, fused glands, and poorly formed glands, has not been determined. The aim of this investigation was to quantitate and compare the proliferation index, as assessed by Ki67 labeling index, of different Gleason pattern 4 histomorphologies. We also analyzed the Ki67 labeling index of Gleason pattern 3 adenocarcinoma associated with and without cribriform adenocarcinoma. Among Gleason pattern 4 morphologies, cribriform adenocarcinoma exhibited a higher mean proliferation index at 5.3% compared to fused gland adenocarcinoma at 3.9% (P = .03) and poorly formed glands at 3.6% (P < .01). The mean Ki67 labeling index for Gleason pattern 3 associated with cribriform adenocarcinoma was higher at 4.1% compared to pure Gleason pattern 3 at 2.2% (P < .01) and Gleason pattern 3 associated with non-cribriform pattern 4 adenocarcinoma at 2.9% (P = .02). This higher proliferation index of Gleason pattern 3 adenocarcinoma associated with cribriform pattern 4 adenocarcinoma indicates that not all Gleason pattern 3 cells are identical and that cribriform adenocarcinoma may influence or be related to associated Gleason pattern 3. Gleason pattern 4 adenocarcinoma of the prostate with cribriform growth has a higher proliferation index than other grade 4 histomorphologies, consistent with the more clinically aggressive nature of cribriform adenocarcinoma of the prostate.
Effect of Rain Gauge Proximity on Rainfall Estimation for Problematic Urban Coastal Watersheds in Virginia Beach, Virginia

AbstractIn urban areas, it is important to have spatially and temporally dense rainfall measurements for flood modeling, monitoring, and prediction. The objective of this paper is to quantify the e...
End-of-life discussions: Who's doing the talking?

Abstract Purpose To determine, in a tertiary academic medical center, the reported frequency of end-of-life discussions among nurses and the influence of demographic factors on these discussions. Methods Survey of nurses on frequency of end-of-life discussions in two urban academic medical centers. Chi-square tests were used to separately assess the relationship between age, gender, specialty, and experience with responses to the question, “Do you regularly talk with your patients about end-of-life wishes?” Results Overall, more than one-third of respondents reported rarely or never discussing end-of-life wishes with their patients. Only specialty expertise (p Conclusions In a survey conducted in two tertiary care institutions, more than one-third of nurses from all disciplines responded that they never or almost never discuss end-of-life issues with their patients. Specialty influenced the likelihood of discussing end-of-life issues with patients.
Thinking with James Bay: Crees, English, and Cold

Abstract This article considers a clash of 2 historic ways of understanding human relations with the environment in James Bay, Canada, which stretches from 52° to 55° north latitude: Cree traditional knowledge and the writings of early 17th-century English explorers. The observations and practices of both Natives and newcomers reflected the enduring power of cold and the particular systems of information that emerged in a region where winter posed myriad threats. These different kinds of historical knowledge survive in different media, one oral and the other written. By considering them together, it becomes clear that the most radical environmental shift in the region occurred not with the signing of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement of 1975, but instead over 300 years earlier. This conclusion suggests reconsideration of the environmental historian Alfred Crosby's notion of “ecological imperialism”, a process understood as the result of the movement of biota, with quick and far-reaching results ...
Arctangent Function Based Abstract Neural Network Approximation

Here we study the univariate quantitative approximation of Banach space valued continuous functions on a compact interval or all the real line by quasi-interpolation Banach space valued neural network operators.
Feeling validated yet? A scoping review of the use of consumer-targeted wearable and mobile technology to measure and improve sleep

Summary The objectives of this review were to evaluate the use of consumer-targeted wearable and mobile sleep monitoring technology, identify gaps in the literature and determine the potential for use in behavioral interventions. We undertook a scoping review of studies conducted in adult populations using consumer-targeted wearable technology or mobile devices designed to measure and/or improve sleep. After screening for inclusion/exclusion criteria, data were extracted from the articles by two co-authors. Articles included in the search were using wearable or mobile technology to estimate or evaluate sleep, published in English and conducted in adult populations. Our search returned 3897 articles and 43 met our inclusion criteria. Results indicated that the majority of studies focused on validating technology to measure sleep (n = 23) or were observational studies (n = 10). Few studies were used to identify sleep disorders (n = 2), evaluate response to interventions (n = 3) or deliver interventions (n = 5). In conclusion, the use of consumer-targeted wearable and mobile sleep monitoring technology has largely focused on validation of devices and applications compared with polysomnography (PSG) but opportunities exist for observational research and for delivery of behavioral interventions. Multidisciplinary research is needed to determine the uses of these technologies in interventions as well as the use in more diverse populations including sleep disorders and other patient populations.
Teaching Ancient Languages to Deaf Students

Many seminarians and religion students study biblical and other ancient languages for their studies. Yet, many Deaf students significantly struggle in ancient language courses, especially because a...
RNA-dependent pseudouridylation catalyzed by box H/ACA RNPs

Pseudouridine (Ψ) is the most abundant post-transcriptionally modified nucleotide found in RNA. Ψ is clustered in functionally important and evolutionary conserved regions of RNAs in all three domains of life. Pseudouridylation is catalyzed by two distinct mechanisms: an RNA-independent and an RNA-dependent mechanism. The former involves a group of stand-alone protein enzymes, and the latter involves a family of complex enzymes called box H/ACA RNPs, each of which consists of one RNA (box H/ACA RNA) and a set of four core proteins. Over the years, the mechanism of RNAdependent pseudouridylation has been extensively studied. The crystal structures of partial and complete box H/ACA RNP have been solved. However, the detailed picture of RNA-dependent pseudouridylation is still not entirely clear. In this work, we review what is known about box H/ACA RNP and the mechanism by which box H/ACA RNP catalyzes RNA-dependent pseudouridylation. We also discuss some examples of the dual nature and redundancy of box H/ ACA RNPs that deviate from the usual mechanism. A methodical literature search was performed using the Pubmed central search engine and International Digital Publishing Forum (EPUB) using the following keywords: “pseudouridylation,” “pseudouridine,” and “box H/ACA RNP.” The necessary information was extracted and cited. A detailed introduction is made including the discovery, mechanism and crystal structure of box H/ACA RNP. Three sequence/structural requirements for box H/ACA RNA-guided pseudouridylation are discussed and the exceptions to those rules are explored. Over the years, box H/ACA RNP-catalyzed pseudouridylation has been extensively studied, generating fruitful results. However, a detailed picture regarding the mechanism of this reaction is still to be deciphered. More work is needed to fully understand box H/ACA RNP-catalyzed pseudouridylation.
Group Specific Component Phenotyping by Ultrathin-layer Agarose Isoelectric Focusing Using Chemical Spacers

Polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing has become the method of choice for classification of the common GC phenotypes, primarily because of improved resolution. Isoelectric focusing in immobilized pH gradients provided far superior results in delineating the phenotypes but has not proven practical for routine testing (Cleve et al 1982). With the introduction of narrow pH range carrier ampholytes by Pharmacia, there was improved resolution of the common GC phenotypes for both polyacrylamide and agarose IEF using a pH range of 4.5–5.4 (Lizana and Olsson 1984). Since the common GC phenotypes fall within a pH range of 4.8–5.1, further methods have been used to flatten the pH gradient curve in this region to improve resolving power. Edwards (1986) used ultrathin-layer IEF in polyacrylamide gel containing a combination of chemical spacers with narrow range Pharmalytes (pH 4.5–5.4) to improve the separation of the GC 1F and GC 1S bands. The results compared favorably with those obtained in immobilized pH gradient gels.
Leveraging wikipedia characteristics for search and candidate generation in question answering

Most existing Question Answering (QA) systems adopt a type-and-generate approach to candidate generation that relies on a pre-defined domain ontology. This paper describes a type independent search and candidate generation paradigm for QA that leverages Wikipedia characteristics. This approach is particularly useful for adapting QA systems to domains where reliable answer type identification and type-based answer extraction are not available. We present a three-pronged search approach motivated by relations an answer-justifying title-oriented document may have with the question/answer pair. We further show how Wikipedia metadata such as anchor texts and redirects can be utilized to effectively extract candidate answers from search results without a type ontology. Our experimental results show that our strategies obtained high binary recall in both search and candidate generation on TREC questions, a domain that has mature answer type extraction technology, as well as on Jeopardy! questions, a domain without such technology. Our high-recall search and candidate generation approach has also led to high overall QA performance in Watson, our end-to-end system.
Circular and Cumulative Causation and the Social Fabric Matrix

AbstractThis study combines the problem orientation of instrumentalism and the systems analysis of circular and cumulative causation (CCC) through the utilization of a social fabric matrix (SFM) and network digraph. The SFM is utilized to articulate part of the Nebraska State system used to distribute state funds among local K-12 public schools. The empirical content is used to derive conceptual conclusions about CCC and to make comments about a controversy regarding agents, institutions, and new rule development. This study provides a refinement of CCC, and it confirms that rules are not the result of self-action by agents.
Chapter 26 The economics of international aid

Abstract This paper presents an overview of the economics of international aid, highlighting the historical literature and the contemporary debates. It reviews the “trade-theoretic” and the “contract-theoretic” analytical literature, and the empirical and institutional literature. It demonstrates a great degree of continuity in the policy concerns of the aid discourse in the twentieth century, and shows how the theoretical, empirical and institutional literature has evolved to address specific policy concerns of each period.
Principles of Analysis: Measure, Integration, Functional Analysis, and Applications

Principles of Analysis: Measure, Integration, Functional Analysis, and Applications prepares readers for advanced courses in analysis, probability, harmonic analysis, and applied mathematics at the doctoral level. The book also helps them prepare for qualifying exams in real analysis. It is designed so that the reader or instructor may select topics suitable to their needs. The author presents the text in a clear and straightforward manner for the readers’ benefit. At the same time, the text is a thorough and rigorous examination of the essentials of measure, integration and functional analysis. The book includes a wide variety of detailed topics and serves as a valuable reference and as an efficient and streamlined examination of advanced real analysis. The text is divided into four distinct sections: Part I develops the general theory of Lebesgue integration; Part II is organized as a course in functional analysis; Part III discusses various advanced topics, building on material covered in the previous parts; Part IV includes two appendices with proofs of the change of the variable theorem and a joint continuity theorem. Additionally, the theory of metric spaces and of general topological spaces are covered in detail in a preliminary chapter . Features: Contains direct and concise proofs with attention to detail Features a substantial variety of interesting and nontrivial examples Includes nearly 700 exercises ranging from routine to challenging with hints for the more difficult exercises Provides an eclectic set of special topics and applications About the Author: Hugo D. Junghenn is a professor of mathematics at The George Washington University. He has published numerous journal articles and is the author of several books, including Option Valuation: A First Course in Financial Mathematics and A Course in Real Analysis. His research interests include functional analysis, semigroups, and probability.
A cross-sectional study of national outpatient gastric acid suppressant prescribing in the United States between 2009 and 2015.

Purpose Gastric acid suppressants are commonly used in the United States, and while generally well-tolerated, long-term use has been associated with infection, bone fractures, and nutrient malabsorption. The purpose of this study was to describe national trends in gastric acid suppressant use over a 7-year period. Methods This was a cross-sectional study using data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2009 to 2015. Gastric acid suppressant use was defined as any outpatient visit with a documented prescription for a proton pump inhibitor or histamine-2 receptor antagonist documented during the outpatient visit. Sample data weights were used to extrapolate to national estimates. Use was calculated as the number of prescriptions per total outpatient visits per year. Appropriateness of prescribing was assessed using FDA-approved indications listed in each visit. Results These data represent 6.8 billion patient outpatient visits between 2009 and 2015, of which nearly 600 million (8.8%) had documented gastric acid suppressant use. The median (IQR) age of gastric acid suppressant users and non-gastric acid suppressant users was 62 (50–73) and 49 (25–65), respectively. Gastric acid suppressant use decreased from 9.0% in 2009 to 7.7% in 2012, and then increased to 9.7% in 2015. Proton pump inhibitor use was slightly higher in the Midwest (8.3%). Only 15.8% of gastric acid suppressant users had a documented indication. Conclusions Proton pump inhibitor use increased after 2012, and the majority of gastric acid suppressant users did not have a documented indication. Judicious gastric acid suppressant prescribing needs to be exercised, especially in the context of new safety data regarding long-term proton pump inhibitor use.