cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A dual wavelength (1.32-1.56 mu m) directional coupler demultiplexer by ion exchange in glass

A 1.32-1.56-μ m demultiplexer using a symmetrical directional coupler consisting of Ag/sup +/-Na/sup +/ exchanged channel waveguides in BK7 glass with a total insertion loss of 1.25 dB for a 14.5-mm-long device and a propagation loss of 0.15 dB/cm is demonstrated. The crosstalk at 1.315 and 1.561 mu m and the cross power ratio at 1.315 mu m were measured to be less than -40 dB for the TE mode.
Basis for the electromagnetic throttling of steel

Electromagnetic throttling is an alternative to present methods of flow control for continuous casting of steel. This paper presents the underlying theory of electromagnetic throttling or, more specifically, the "pinch effect." The effect of conductivity, frequency, and pouring-tube diameter on the magnitude of electromagnetically induced force is discussed. The induced forces affect stream flow, which can be explained, in part, by Bernoulli's equation. A factor is developed to provide a calculation of counterpressure that retards stream flow. The theoretical stream loss, which constitutes a large portion of the total loss, is determined as a function of ferrostatic head pressure. Experimental electromagnetic throttling results are presented with mercury using a frequency of 244 kHz, without a refractory insert. From the data of height variation with time, the equivalent retardation pressure is determined. The data also provide the calculation of head loss coefficient and constricted stream radius.
Advanced Practice Nurses: Increasing Access to Opioid Treatment by Expanding the Pool of Qualified Buprenorphine Prescribers

The high toll in human suffering and economic costs due to morbidity and mortality from opioid misuse and opioid use disorders is well documented. Well-known statistics have captured the nation's a...
Individual Differences in Representational Precision Predict Spatial Working Memory Span

Perhaps the signature feature of working memory is that it is limited. In the same subjects, we used two different retrieval tasks to independently measure two different limits of spatial memory. Precision was measured by asking participants to localize a missing target item among a field of other targets and distracters. Capacity was measured with a similar task where participants identified, rather than localized, a set of remembered targets from within a larger set of identical items. Across participants, the precision of localization was positively correlated with the number of successfully retrieved items. These data suggest that an individual's representational capacity may ultimately be constrained by their ability to form precise representations of space.
Mechanisms of altered sodium excretion after preoptic hypothalamic lesions

These experiments investigated cardiovascular and hormonal responses during the natriuresis and subsequent sodium retention following electrolytic lesions of the periventricular tissue surrounding the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V-X) in the rat. Four hours following treatment, AV3V-X resulted in a significant increase in blood pressure (18 +/- 3 mmHg), bradycardia (-68 +/- 20 beats/min), and natriuresis (212 +/- 36 mu eq/h), compared with control-operated (control: 2 +/- 4 mmHg, -14 +/- 18 beats/min, 89 +/- 34 mu eq/h) and unanesthetized control (UC) animals (-1 +/- 3 mmHg, -5 +/- 12 beats/min, 74 +/- 25 mu eq/h). Preventing the hypertensive response in AV3V-X rats abolished the natriuresis. Twenty-four hours after treatment, blood pressure, heart rate, urine flow, and sodium excretion were similar between experimental groups. However, sodium excretion by AV3V-X rats was significantly smaller than control 24-48 h following treatment. AV3V-X rats had significantly elevated plasma concentrations of aldosterone and corticosterone 4, 24, and 48 h and increased plasma renin 24 and 48 h after treatment. These data suggest that the acute natriuresis following AV3V-X is mediated by increased arterial blood pressure, whereas the subsequent sodium retention could be due to activation of the renin-aldosterone system.
The centineurogenic etiology of the respiratory distress syndrome: Protection afforded by anemia and pulmonary denervation against lung lesions of oxygen toxicity

For beagles respiring 100 per cent oxygen at ambient pressure, anemia protected against the development of the lung lesions of oxygen toxicity. Similarly, unilateral pulmonary denervation was protective of the affected lung but not of the normally innervated, contralateral lung. This indicates that the lung lesions are triggered by the toxic effect of elevated Po2 at a remote site, most likely the sensitive central nervous system.
Prior wildfires influence burn severity of subsequent large fires

With longer and more severe fire seasons predicted, the incidence and extent of fires are expected to increase in western North America. As more area is burned, past wildfires may influence the spread and burn severity of subsequent fires, with implications for ecosystem resilience and fire management. We examined how previous burn severity, topography, vegetation, and weather influenced burn severity on four wildfires, two in Idaho, one in Washington, and one in British Columbia. These were large fire events, together burning 330 000 ha and cost $165 million USD in fire suppression expenditures. Collectively, these four study fires reburned over 50 000 ha previously burned between 1984 and 2006. We used sequential autoregression to analyze how past fires, topography, vegetation, and weather influenced burn severity. We found that areas burned in the last three decades, at any severity, had significantly lower severity in the subsequent fire. Final models included maximum temperature, vegetation cover typ...
Chronic myelogenous leukemia with acquired t(11;14)(q13;q32) CCND1-IGH: A case report and literature review.

Approximately 5–10% of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients are found to have structural or numerical additional chromosomal abnormality (ACAs) in addition to the characteristic t(9;22)(q34;q11.2) BCR/ABL1 at the time of diagnosis. The prognostic significance of such additional chromosomal abnormalities has been controversial. Translocation t(11;14)(q13;q32) CCND1-IGH is typically associated with mantle cell lymphoma or a subset of plasma cell myeloma and is exceedingly rare in myeloid neoplasm. Here we report a unique case describing a patient found at diagnosis of chronic phase CML to have both the Philadelphia chromosome as well as t(11;14)—a rare cytogenetic combination. The patient was treated with imatinib with appropriate hematologic response but persistent disease by FISH and RT-PCR. She was switched to dasatinib and eventually achieved cytogenetic remission in both translocations, but still with persistent RT-PCR evidence of BCR-ABL1 fusion. As cyclin D1 is a regulatory subunit of cyclin-dependent kinases CDK4 and CDK6 and is required for the cells to progress through the G1 phase of the cell cycle, overexpression of cyclin D1 will likely promote cells into cell cycle. This may further augment proliferation in addition to upregulated ABL1 kinase activity in the index case. It may also contribute to the resistance to imatinib, as imatinib only targets on BCR-ABL fusion. Therefore, the addition of t(11;14)(q13;q32) may have significant implication in patient management.
Functional Modification of Thioether Groups in Peptides, Polypeptides, and Proteins

Recent developments in the modification of methionine and other thioether-containing residues in peptides, polypeptides, and proteins are reviewed. Properties and potential applications of the resulting functionalized products are also discussed. While much of this work is focused on natural Met residues, modifications at other side-chain residues have also emerged as new thioether-containing amino acids have been incorporated into peptidic materials. Functional modification of thioether-containing amino acids has many advantages and is a complementary methodology to the widely utilized methods for modification at cysteine residues.
Comparing the imaging performance of computed super resolution and magnification tomosynthesis

Computed super-resolution (SR) is a method of reconstructing images with pixels that are smaller than the detector element size; superior spatial resolution is achieved through the elimination of aliasing and alteration of the sampling function imposed by the reconstructed pixel aperture. By comparison, magnification mammography is a method of projection imaging that uses geometric magnification to increase spatial resolution. This study explores the development and application of magnification digital breast tomosynthesis (MDBT). Four different acquisition geometries are compared in terms of various image metrics. High-contrast spatial resolution was measured in various axes using a lead star pattern. A modified Defrise phantom was used to determine the low-frequency spatial resolution. An anthropomorphic phantom was used to simulate clinical imaging. Each experiment was conducted at three different magnifications: contact (1.04x), MAG1 (1.3x), and MAG2 (1.6x). All images were taken on our next generation tomosynthesis system, an in-house solution designed to optimize SR. It is demonstrated that both computed SR and MDBT (MAG1 and MAG2) provide improved spatial resolution over non-SR contact imaging. To achieve the highest resolution, SR and MDBT should be combined. However, MDBT is adversely affected by patient motion at higher magnifications. In addition, MDBT requires more radiation dose and delays diagnosis, since MDBT would be conducted upon recall. By comparison, SR can be conducted with the original screening data. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that computed SR and MDBT are both viable methods of imaging the breast.
Reply: Clawback to the Future

In an earlier article also available on SSRN, Clawbacks: Prospective Contract Measures in an Era of Excessive Executive Compensation and Ponzi Schemes, Minnesota Law Review, Vol. 94, p. 368, 2009, Professors Miriam Cherry and Jarrod Wong set out an initial description and analysis of contractual clawback provisions. In this Reply, Profs. Cherry and Wong address three aspects of Michael Macchiarola's Response: its application of the clawback doctrine to the recoupment of executive compensation; the criticism that the clawbacks doctrine introduces latent subjectivity into contractual analysis; and the apparent operational difficulties in implementing clawbacks.
Association of Risk of Viremia, Immunosuppression, Serious Clinical Events, and Mortality With Increasing Age in Perinatally Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Youth.

Importance As perinatally human immunodeficiency virus–infected youth (PHIVY) in the United States grow older and more treatment experienced, clinicians need updated information about the association of age, CD4 cell count, viral load (VL), and antiretroviral (ARV) drug use with risk of opportunistic infections, key clinical events, and mortality to understand patient risks and improve care. Objective To examine the incidence or first occurrence during follow-up of key clinical events (including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stage B [CDC-B] and stage C [CDC-C] events) and mortality among PHIVY stratified by age, CD4 cell count, and VL and ARV status. Design, Setting, and Participants Combining data from the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study (PHACS) Adolescent Master Protocol and International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials (IMPAACT) P1074 multicenter cohort studies (March 2007 through April 2015), we estimated event rates during person-time spent in key strata of age (7-12, 13-17, and 18-30 years), CD4 cell count ( Main Outcomes and Measures Clinical event rates stratified by person-time in age, CD4 cell count, and VL and ARV categories. Results A total of 1446 PHIVY participated in the study (mean [SD] age, 14.6 [4.6] years; 759 female [52.5%]; 953 black [65.9%]). During a mean (SD) follow-up of 4.9 (1.3) years, higher incidences of CDC-B events, CDC-C events, and mortality were observed as participants aged. Older PHIVY (aged 13-17 and 18-30 years) spent more time with a VL of 400 copies/mL or more and with a CD4 cell count of less than 200/µL compared with 7- to 12-year-old participants (30% and 44% vs 22% of person-time with a VL≥400 copies/mL; 5% and 18% vs 2% of person-time with CD4 cell count P Conclusions and Relevance Older PHIVY were at increased risk of viremia, immunosuppression, CDC-B events, CDC-C events, and mortality. Interventions to improve ARV therapy adherence and optimize models of care for PHIVY as they age are urgently needed to improve long-term outcomes among PHIVY.
The Interaction of GTP Cyclohydrolase I and GTP Cyclohydrolase Feedback Regulatory Protein Can be Detected using the Yeast Two-Hybrid System

The enzyme GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH) catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step in the synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) (1), the required cofactor for tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylases (2). All members of the family of nitric oxide synthases also require BH4 (3). Intracellular concentrations of BH4 are normally subsaturating for these enzymes (4) and alterations in BH4 levels brought about by changes in GTPCH activity can modify the synthesis of monoamine and nitric oxide neurotransmitters. GTPCH has a regulatory subunit known as GTP cyclohydrolase feedback regulatory protein (GFRP) (5). In the presence of GFRP BH4 inhibits GTPCH activity thereby inhibiting BH4 synthesis. The interaction between GTPCH and GFRP is not completely understood, but it is thought that two pentameric molecules of GFRP bind to the outer surface of the GTPCH homodecamer (6). We have begun to use the yeast two-hybrid system to study the protein domains required for the association of GTPCH and GFRP. Our results indicate that the two-hybrid system can detect a strong interaction between GTPCH and GFRP. More detailed analysis shows that deletion of the N-terminal domain of GTPCH eliminates the interaction between GTPCH and GFRP. We propose that the association of GFRP and GTPCH involves the N-terminal, proline-rich domain of GTPCH and possibly SH3-like regions in GFRP.
Prevention and Management of Common Musculoskeletal Injuries Incurred Through Exercise During Pregnancy

After completing this chapter, you should have an understanding of the following: • The pertinent female anatomy involved in pregnancy and how the surrounding musculoskeletal structures are affected by the gravid uterus and growth of other essential organs. • The accompanying physiological alterations along with other associated systemic changes affecting the pregnant woman’s ability to exercise. • The anatomical and structural issues that contribute to or detract from performing different types of exercises while pregnant. • Different prevention measures for common musculoskeletal injuries incurred with exercising while pregnant, to include current recommended standard medical guidelines. • Various modes of treatment for common musculoskeletal injuries that can be exacerbated or sustained by a woman while exercising in the pregnant state.
Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is expressed in a significant number of the uterine cervical carcinomas

The programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) immune regulatory axis has emerged as a promising new target for cancer therapeutics, with lasting responses seen in the treatment of metastatic renal and lung carcinomas, as well as melanomas. As tumor surface expression of PD-L1 has been found to correlate with objective responses to anti-PD-L1 immunotherapies, we investigated the expression of PD-L1 in human cervical tumors and provide an adopted scoring system for the systematic evaluation of PD-L1 staining. Immunohistochemical staining for PD-L1 expression was performed on a tissue microarray of 101 normal and neoplastic cervical tissues. Neoplastic cores were divided into three groups: squamous cell carcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, and endocervical adenocarcinoma. PD-L1 expression was scored based on an adopted scoring system accounting to percentage and intensity of positivity, and results provided alongside available clinical and demographic data. Overall, PD-L1 was positive in 32 of 93 (34.4%) cervical carcinomas. Subcategorically, PD-L1 was positive in 28 of 74 (37.8%) squamous cell carcinomas, two of seven (28.6%) adenosquamous carcinomas, and two of 12 (16.7%) endocervical adenocarcinomas. It was negative in six benign cervical tissues. This study shows a significant expression of PD-L1 in 34.4% of cervical carcinomas and no expression of PD-L1 in benign cervical tissues. These findings suggest a role for further investigation of anti-PD-L1/PD-1 immunotherapies in the treatment of PD-L1-positive cervical tumors. In addition, our adopted scoring system will facilitate more systematic correlations between tumor reactivity and response to treatment.
A Pilot Program Integrating Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Screening into an Outpatient Endoscopy Unit Improves HBV Screening Among an Ethnically Diverse Safety-Net Hospital.

Safety-net hospitals are enriched in ethnic minorities and provide opportunities for high-impact hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening. We aim to evaluate the impact of a pilot program integrating HBV screening into outpatient endoscopy among urban safety-net populations. From July 2015 to May 2017, consecutive adults undergoing outpatient endoscopy were prospectively assessed for HBV screening eligibility using US Preventative Services Task Force guidelines. Rates of prior HBV screening were assessed, and those eligible but not screened were offered HBV testing. Multivariate logistic regression models evaluated predictors of test acceptance among eligible patients. Among 1557 patients (47.1% male, 69.4% foreign born), 65.1% were eligible for HBV screening, among which 24.5% received prior screening. In our pilot screening program in the endoscopy unit, 91.4% (n = 855) of eligible patients accepted HBV testing. However, only 55.3% (n = 415) of those that accepted actually completed HBV testing. While there was a trend toward higher rates of test acceptance among African-Americans compared to non-Hispanic whites (OR 3.31, 95% CI 0.96–11.38, p = 0.06), no other sex-specific or race/ethnicity-specific disparities in HBV test acceptance were observed. Among those who completed HBV testing, we identified 10 new patients with chronic HBV (2.4% prevalence). Only 24.5% of eligible patients received prior HBV screening among our cohort. Our pilot program integrating HBV screening into outpatient endoscopy successfully tested an additional 415 patients, improving overall HBV screening from 24.5 to 75.6%. Integrating HBV testing into non-traditional settings has potential to bridge the gap in HBV screening among safety-net systems.
Rare Dissipative Transitions Punctuate the Initiation of Chemical Denaturation in Proteins.

Abstract Protein unfolding dynamics are bound by their degree of entropy production, a quantity that relates the amount of heat dissipated by a nonequilibrium process to a system's forward and time-reversed trajectories. We here explore the statistics of heat dissipation that emerge in protein molecules subjected to a chemical denaturant. Coupling large molecular dynamics datasets and Markov state models with the theory of entropy production, we demonstrate that dissipative processes can be rigorously characterized over the course of the urea-induced unfolding of the protein chymotrypsin inhibitor 2. By enumerating full entropy production probability distributions as a function of time, we first illustrate that distinct passive and dissipative regimes are present in the denaturation dynamics. Within the dissipative dynamical region, we next find that chymotrypsin inhibitor 2 is strongly driven into unfolded states in which the protein's hydrophobic core has been penetrated by urea molecules and disintegrated. Detailed analyses reveal that urea's interruption of key hydrophobic contacts between core residues causes many of the protein's native structural features to dissolve.
Social Structures in Transition: Applications of Two Theories to Chiefdoms:

Status characteristics theory and elementary theory are applied to explain developments through three structural forms that chiefdoms are known to take. Theoretic models find that downward mobility...
Influence du temps opératoire sur les infections précoces et les thromboses veineuses profondes dans l’arthroplastie totale de hanche

Abstract Purpose Infections and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after total hip arthroplasty (THA) are challenging problems for both the patient and surgeon. Previous studies have identified numerous risk factors for infections and DVT after THA but have often been limited by sample size. We aimed to evaluate the effect of operative time on early postoperative infection as well as DVT rates following THA. We hypothesized that an increase in operative time would result in increased odds of acquiring an infection as well as a DVT. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database from 2006 to 2015 for all patients undergoing primary THA. Associations between operative time and infection or DVT were evaluated with multivariable logistic regressions controlling for demographics and several known risks factors for infection. Three different types of infections were evaluated: 1) superficial surgical site infection (SSI), an infection involving the skin or subcutaneous tissue, 2) deep SSI, an infection involving the muscle or fascial layers beneath the subcutaneous tissue, and 3) organ/space infection, an infection involving any part of the anatomy manipulated during surgery other than the incisional components. Results In total, 103,044 patients who underwent THA were included in our study. Our results suggested a significant association between superficial SSIs and operative time. Specifically, the adjusted odds of suffering a superficial SSI increased by 6% (CI = 1.04–1.08, P 90 minutes), the adjusted odds of suffering a superficial SSI was 56% higher for patients with prolonged operative time (CI = 1.05–2.32, P = 0.0277). The adjusted odds of suffering a deep SSI increased by 7% for every 10-minute increase in operative time (CI = 1.01–1.14, P = 0.0335). No significant associations were detected between organ/space infection, wound dehiscence, or DVT and operative time either as continuous or as dichotomized. Conclusion Prolonged operative times (> 90 min) are associated with increased rates of superficial SSIs, but not deep SSIs, organ/space infections, wound dehiscence, or DVT. Level of evidence III.
Plasmonic-assisted perovskite submicron lasers

We synthesized micron- and submicron particles containing CsPbBr 3 nanocrystals and silver nanoparticles. Optically-pumped metal-perovskite particles showed lasing, owing to high gain from perovskite and light confinement by plasmonic scattering.
Can Predictive Modeling Identify Head and Neck Oncology Patients at Risk for Readmission

Objective Unplanned readmission within 30 days is a contributor to health care costs in the United States. The use of predictive modeling during hospitalization to identify patients at risk for readmission offers a novel approach to quality improvement and cost reduction. Study Design Two-phase study including retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data followed by prospective longitudinal study. Setting Tertiary academic medical center. Subjects and Methods Prospectively collected data for patients undergoing surgical treatment for head and neck cancer from January 2013 to January 2015 were used to build predictive models for readmission within 30 days of discharge using logistic regression, classification and regression tree (CART) analysis, and random forests. One model (logistic regression) was then placed prospectively into the discharge workflow from March 2016 to May 2016 to determine the model's ability to predict which patients would be readmitted within 30 days. Results In total, 174 admissions had descriptive data. Thirty-two were excluded due to incomplete data. Logistic regression, CART, and random forest predictive models were constructed using the remaining 142 admissions. When applied to 106 consecutive prospective head and neck oncology patients at the time of discharge, the logistic regression model predicted readmissions with a specificity of 94%, a sensitivity of 47%, a negative predictive value of 90%, and a positive predictive value of 62% (odds ratio, 14.9; 95% confidence interval, 4.02-55.45). Conclusion Prospectively collected head and neck cancer databases can be used to develop predictive models that can accurately predict which patients will be readmitted. This offers valuable support for quality improvement initiatives and readmission-related cost reduction in head and neck cancer care.
Touch: Communication of emotion through computational textile expression

Touch of a computational textile on human skin provides a unique opportunity to look at relationships between ambience, emotion and computing. The sense of touch on human skin offers a potential framework to think about ambient computing as the information from skin is multimodal and comes in many forms such as temperature, humidity, sharpness, smoothness, location and movement. Computational materials that shelter, surround and are inside us have become sentient and are able to ‘speak’ to us. It is common that these things not only speak to us but also to each other through what is called the internet of things. This is a physical world web or quite simply a network of physical things. Materials that can connect to this network this author will call computational materials, which are materials that respond to commands and communicate through computer programming, electronics and sensors. A computational textile is a textile that responds to commands through computer programming, electronics and sensors. If architects, artists, designers, engineers and scientists and others could begin to understand the nature of what various textile expressions communicated via touch, then it would be possible to more fully understand the role texture of a computational textile plays in communicating emotion through an object. The author of this paper will present and discuss one project, FELT a 5′ × 6′ wall panel designed to communicate emotion through touch.
Towards a Holo-Semiotic Framework for the Evolution of Language

The chapter develops the view that a global semiotic lens spanning biology and culture (thus covering the phenomenal and emergent processes of life generally) is a particularly vital frame for inquiry into the origin and evolution of language. It is further suggested that such inquiry, in its turn, could prove to be the single most important area of study to the work of transcending long-standing dichotomies between biological and cultural studies, and of affirming the perspectival salience of a semiotic theory of life. With respect to this view, a “holo-semiotic” framework (with roots in the global semiotic tradition of Thomas Sebeok) is developed wherein the object of the origin of language is approached and located within a semiotic coevolutionary complex of physio-anatomical force-relations (kinesio-/eco-semiotic) whereby a capacity for symbolical insight (anthroposemiotic) could phenomenally emerge out of biological impulse (bio-/zoo-semiotic). Based in the logic of a holo-semiotic model of language evolution, it will be argued that evolutionary semiotic processes hinge crucially on the inherent role that mimesis (as a principle function of semiosis and primary mode of information transmission) plays in both culture and biology—in its social imitative sense and in its biological replicative and adaptive senses.
The TGFβ-signaling pathway and colorectal cancer: Associations between dysregulated genes and miRNAs

The TGFβ-signaling pathway plays an important role in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Loss of function of several genes within this pathway, such as bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have been seen as key events in CRC progression. In this study we comprehensively evaluate differential gene expression (RNASeq) of 81 genes in the TGFβ-signaling pathway and evaluate how dysregulated genes are associated with miRNA expression (Agilent Human miRNA Microarray V19.0). We utilize paired carcinoma and normal tissue from 217 CRC cases. We evaluate the associations between differentially expressed genes and miRNAs and sex, age, disease stage, and survival months. Thirteen genes were significantly downregulated and 14 were significantly upregulated after considering fold change (FC) of > 1.50 or < 0.67 and multiple comparison adjustment. Bone morphogenetic protein genes BMP5, BMP6, and BMP2 and growth differentiation factor GDF7 were downregulated. BMP4, BMP7, INHBA (Inhibin beta A), TGFBR1, TGFB2, TGIF1, TGIF2, and TFDP1 were upregulated. In general, genes with the greatest dysregulation, such as BMP5 (FC 0.17, BMP6 (FC 0.25), BMP2 (FC 0.32), CDKN2B (FC 0.32), MYC (FC 3.70), BMP7 (FC 4.17), and INHBA (FC 9.34) showed dysregulation in the majority of the population (84.3, 77.4, 81.1, 80.2, 82.0, 51.2, and 75.1% respectively). Four genes, TGFBR2, ID4, ID1, and PITX2, were un-associated or slightly upregulated in microsatellite-stable (MSS) tumors while downregulated in microsatellite-unstable (MSI) tumors. Eight dysregulated genes were associated with miRNA differential expression. E2F5 and THBS1 were associated with one or two miRNAs; RBL1, TGFBR1, TGIF2, and INHBA were associated with seven or more miRNAs with multiple seed-region matches. Evaluation of the joint effects of mRNA:miRNA identified interactions that were stronger in more advanced disease stages and varied by survival months. These data support an interaction between miRNAs and genes in the TGFβ-signaling pathway in association with CRC risk. These interactions are associated with unique clinical characteristics that may provide targets for further investigations.
Medical physics 3.0 versus 1.0: A case study in digital radiography quality control.

Purpose The study illustrates how a renewed approach to medical physics, Medical Physics 3.0 (MP3.0), can identify performance decrement of digital radiography (DR) systems when conventional Medical Physics 1.0 (MP1.0) methods fail. Methods MP1.0 tests included traditional annual tests plus the manufacturer's automated Quality Assurance Procedures (QAP) of a DR system before and after a radiologist's image quality (IQ) complaint repeated after service intervention. Further analysis was conducted using nontraditional MP3.0 tests including longitudinal review of QAP results from a 15-yr database, exposure-dependent signal-to-noise (SNR2 ), clinical IQ, and correlation with the institutional service database. Clinical images were analyzed in terms of IQ metrics by the Duke University Clinical Imaging Physics Group using previously validated software. Results Traditional metrics did not indicate discrepant system performance at any time. QAP reported a decrease in contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) after detector replacement, but remained above the manufacturer's action limit. Clinical images showed increased lung noise (Ln), mediastinum noise (Mn), and subdiaphragm-lung contrast (SLc), and decreased lung gray level (Lgl) following detector replacement. After detector recalibration, QAP CNR improved, but did not return to previous levels. Lgl and SLc no longer significantly differed from before detector recalibration; however, Ln and Mn remained significantly different. Exposure-dependent SNR2 documented the detector operating within acceptable limits 9 yr previously but subsequently becoming miscalibrated sometime before four prior annual tests. Service records revealed catastrophic failure of the computer containing the original detector calibration from 11 yr prior. It is likely that the incorrect calibration backup file was uploaded at that time. Conclusions MP1.0 tests failed to detect substandard system performance, but MP3.0 methods determined the root cause of the problem. MP3.0 exploits the wealth of data with more sensitive performance indicators. Data analytics are powerful tools whose proper application could facilitate early intervention in degraded system performance.
A Systematic Review Comparing Dose Response of Exercise on Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality

It is well established that exercise improves cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, although an ideal dose of exercise is not known. The physical activity guidelines currently recommend 150 minut...
Exact Cardinality Query Optimization with Bounded Execution Cost

Query optimizers often produce sub-optimal query plans due to inaccurate cardinality estimates. The goal of exact cardinality query optimization (ECQO) is to produce optimal plans based on guaranteed exact cardinality values, obtained via probe executions. We propose a novel algorithm for ECQO. It improves over prior work by limiting the overheads of probe executions. Instead of fully generating each relation in the optimizer's plan space, it calculates cardinality bounds based on partially generated relations. Thereby, it is often able to prune relations early if they are too large to participate in any optimal plan. Our algorithm exploits dependencies between relations to propagate exclusions, it selects probing targets for maximum information gain, and it caps probing overheads by conservative bounds on execution cost. Those bounds are iteratively increased once lower bounds on optimal query execution cost have been established. The algorithm is non-intrusive and can be used on top of any database management system supporting SQL limit clauses. We formally prove that probing costs are bounded as a function of the optimal execution cost and evaluate our algorithm experimentally. Our algorithm is in average six times and up to 69 times faster than a state-of-the-art baseline for ECQO on the recently proposed join order benchmark.
Taking a Path Less Traveled: Mastering ‘Metrics Without a Textbook

Causality plays a central role in economics instruction, save econometrics. There, attention switches to the restrictive classical linear regression assumptions, violations of them, and the search for the “true” model. Current textbooks encourage this pedagogy. In contrast, empirical economic research increasingly focuses on research design and determining causality. To prepare students for the labor market, undergraduate econometric instruction should focus on the “doing” of econometrics rather than econometric theory, a task that may necessitate forgoing the traditional textbook. This manuscript offers an example of a design-based course taught in the fall of 2017, which follows Angrist and Pischke’s Mastering ‘Metrics.
Device Therapy for Sudden Cardiac Death Prophylaxis After Acute Coronary Syndrome: When and Why?

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are a powerful tool in preventing sudden cardiac death due to ventricular arrhythmias in ischemic cardiomyopathy. ICD indications and timing in acute coronary syndromes are unclear. We reviewed several trials that delineated the indications for a cardiac defibrillator in patients with coronary artery disease. The role of cardiac defibrillators in secondary prevention has been well established by AVID, CIDS, and CASH trials. AVID showed reduction in both all-cause mortality and arrhythmic death while the two smaller trials showed only improvement in arrhythmic death. Similarly, trials like MADIT, CABG Patch, MUSTT, MADIT-II, DINAMIT, and the IRIS trial have fine-tuned the indications for ICD in primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. Benefits of an ICD were most pronounced in those with reduced ejection fraction and 40 days or more since myocardial infarction or in those who were not immediately post revascularization. The recent VEST trial aimed to study wearable cardioverter-defibrillators (WCDs) in patients who did not have an indication for an implantable defibrillator. The arrhythmic deaths (1.6% vs. 2.4%) were not reduced by the WCD. Based on consistent reduction in arrhythmic death in all primary and secondary prevention trials, defibrillators are effective in carefully selected patients.
Empathy in Action

How can pediatric clinicians best display empathy and support parents who are confronting the death of a child? Over the past 2 decades, as pediatric palliative care has become established as an essential element in the care of children with serious life-threatening illness,1 this question has moved out from the shadows and into high-quality mainstream clinical practice. This large question can be broken down into 2 issues: first, determining what accurate or effective answers are, and then how to teach these answers. What we know on these fronts is worth surveying briefly. The broader area of empathy or compassion training for medical trainees and physicians has found that these individuals can learn specific behaviors (such as sitting down when talking to patients or offering supportive verbal statements) that improve ratings of their degree of empathy or compassion.2 More narrowly, regarding how to talk with patients with serious illness, the VitalTalk curriculum, typically delivered as a multisession program, has been shown to enhance the communication skills and increase the frequency of empathetic behaviors of participants.3,4 And even more specifically, regarding how a clinician should communicate and behave … Address correspondence to Chris Feudtner, MD, PhD, MPH, Department of Medical Ethics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Roberts Center, Room 11123, 2716 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146-2305. E-mail: feudtner{at}email.chop.edu
Orientation and Mobility for Severely and Profoundly Retarded Blind Persons.

The lack of attention to orientation and mobility for both severely and profoundly retarded blind persons is seen as an interdisciplinary problem that educators for the retarded and educators for t...
Synergistic and antagonistic interactions among organic and metallic components of the ambient particulate matter (PM) for the cytotoxicity measured by Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Abstract Although PM2.5 toxicity is known to be related to its chemical composition, the effect of interactions among various particles' components on the toxicity is not well explored. To understand these interactions, especially metals and organic compounds on PM2.5 cytotoxicity, we chose several redox-active substances known to be present in the ambient particles such as metals (Cu, Fe, and Mn) and quinones [9,10-phenanthraquinone (PQ), 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ), 1,4-naphthoquinone (1,4-NQ), and 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (5,H-1,4-NQ)]. Cytotoxicity was assessed through a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells assay and expressed by a median lethal concentration (LC50). Two methods were employed to assess the interactions. In the first method, we tested the impact of nontoxic level of a component on the LC50 of other components. In the second method, we mixed two components in different concentration ratios to expose the cells and calculated a mixture toxicity index (MTI). MTI is a composite value to quantify the nature of interactions such that the interactions are considered synergistic when MTI > 1, additive when 0
A Wavelet Strategy to Buy Low and Sell High

Suppose the price of a commodity or stock fluctuates indefinitely, is there any explicit strategy for a trader to “ride the price waves” by buying low and selling high to eventually win even if price does not increase? In this paper, we explain what “high” and “low” mean and how much to buy and sell to make a profit in the long run. The strategy is contained in my website https://AgateTrading.com.
Developing Employment Environments Where Individuals with ASD Thrive: Using Machine Learning to Explore Employer Policies and Practices

An online survey instrument was developed to assess employers' perspectives on hiring job candidates with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The investigators used K-means clustering to categorize companies in clusters based on their hiring practices related to individuals with ASD. This methodology allowed the investigators to assess and compare the various factors of businesses that successfully hire employees with ASD versus those that do not. The cluster analysis indicated that company structures, policies and practices, and perceptions, as well as the needs of employers and employees, were important in determining who would successfully hire individuals with ASD. Key areas that require focused policies and practices include recruitment and hiring, training, accessibility and accommodations, and retention and advancement.
Toward a centralized database for child safety centers: Results of a feasibility pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Safety centers (SCs) are hospital-affiliated outlets that provide families with safety products and personalized education about preventing injuries. Roughly 40 SCs are in operation across the United States, but no single model for staffing, supplying, or sustaining them has emerged. The project aimed to determine the feasibility of a centralized database for SC evaluation as the first step toward growing this proven intervention. METHODS: An Expert Advisory Committee was convened to determine data collection elements and procedures. Representatives from nine hospital-based SCs collected data about car seat and bike helmet sales and education provided between August 1, 2013, to December 31, 2013. RESULTS: A total of 645 study-related safety products were distributed at cost (72%), below cost (10%), or for free (19%). Education was provided for 96% of all products distributed, including receipt of print materials (81%) and product demonstrations (83%). Visitors to SCs were usually referred by a hospital provider (34%), followed by word of mouth (24%) and walk-in (22%). Seven of nine SCs were able to contribute data. Stability of SCs and capacity of staff emerged as facilitators of centralized data collection feasibility. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that centralized data collection is feasible and that information to compare centers can be obtained. However, for more meaningful comparisons to emerge and to enable all SCs the ability to participate, support is needed institutionally for staff to be able to capture data and nationally to grow and sustain a database that represents the broader diversity of topics and services offered. Language: en
Why Violence? Because the Irrationalities Induced by Choice Frames Make Perfect Evolutionary Sense

This paper argues that strength deters violence and weakness elicits it because selection favors moral relativism and choices framed as gains between equals but moral clarity and choices framed as losses as inequalities grow. Deterrents consist of evolutionarily significant consequences for violent acts, but their credibility (and effects) should vary with the likelihood that people frame choices as gains or losses. Findings consistent with these claims come from (1) tests for cycle-of-violence effects on structured interview data for 344 post-transition men and women in Barbados, (2) tests for violence exposure effects on structured interview data for 165 men and women from Colombia, Denmark, Israel, South Africa, and the United States, and (3) a comprehensive test for framing effects with a pooled cross-sectional time-series on violent crime rates and the likelihood of evolutionarily significant consequences for violence perpetrators in the United States. Significant violence rate reductions may come from interventions that target choice frames either directly (for adults) or indirectly, by reducing violence toward children. The greatest violence rate reductions may require the creation of intervention cultures.
Effects of Differing Breakfast Conditions and Habit Patterns on Performance in an Endurance Activity

Abstract Thirty-six subjects were obtained who fit into one of three subgroups: (a) 12 habitually heavy breakfast eaters, (b) 12 habitually light breakfast eaters, and (c) 12 who habitually ate no breakfast. Using a modified version of the Harvard Step Test, subjects were tested for endurance each morning at assigned time intervals after breakfast. One week, each subject ate a heavy breakfast, another week, each subject ate a light breakfast, and a third week each subject ate a liquid breakfast. Habitual eating types and breakfast conditions were rotated to control for conditioning. Subjects with habitual eating patterns were not affected by changes in the patterns. Subjects, when assigned to the liquid breakfast condition, performed at significantly higher levels than when assigned to either of the other conditions.
Infantile scurvy: A case report with follow-up roentgenogram ofpre-existent healed scurvy

Summary A case report is presented with the classical symptoms and typical roentgenograms of acute infantile scurvy. A follow-up roentgenogram four and one-half years after clinical cure is presented with the characteristic findings.
The Measurement of Radial Power Distributions in a Triga Fuel Element during Reactor Power Excursions

The time- and space-dependent temperature distribution within a TRIGA Mark II fuel element has been measured during a series of power excursions. The temperatures were obtained from 14 thermocouple...
Catabolite Gene Activator Protein Mutations Affecting Activity of the araBAD Promoter

We have studied catabolite gene activator protein (CAP) activation at the araBAD promoter, pBAD, in the absence of DNA looping. We ruled out the two most plausible indirect activation mechanisms: CAP-induced folding of upstream DNA back upon RNA polymerase, and CAP-induced stabilization of AraC binding to DNA. Therefore, a direct CAP-RNA polymerase interaction seemed likely. We sought and found CAP mutants defective in transcription activation at pBAD that retained normal DNA binding affinity. Some mutations altered residues in the interval from positions 150 to 164 that includes CAP activating region 1 (AR1), which has been shown to contact RNA polymerase at a number of promoters. Unexpectedly, additional mutations were found that altered residues in the region between positions 46 and 68 and at position 133. This includes the region known as activating region 3 (AR3). Mutations from both groups also affect the araFGH and rhaBAD promoters.
Foreign-exchange rationing and employment in industrializing countries

Abstract This paper analyzes the interaction of two constraints — foreign currency controls and a minimum wage — on the behavior of a small, industrializing country. The latter is characterized by the large proportion of intermediate inputs in total imports. The main results are the following: (1) the two distortions magnify the adverse effects on employment of a minimum wage; (2) the rationing policy is self-defeating on its own terms; (3) devaluation is almost inevitable, despite the political considerations that make it so difficult; and (4) black markets may be tolerated so openly because they help undo some of the harmful effects noted above.