cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cutaneous manifestations of Sjögren's syndrome.

The major mucous membrane and cutaneous manifestation of Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is xerosis. Severe dryness of the eyes, mouth, nasal passage, and vagina produce many annoying symptoms, including photophobia, burning and itching of the eyes, alterations in taste and smell, recurring nonallergic bacterial sinusitis rhinitis, and dysparunia. SS patients frequently complain of dryness of lips and soreness and a burning sensation of the tongue and oral mucosa. SS patients also complain of dryness of their hair and note a decrease in luster, and severe dryness of the skin is frequently accompanied by pruritus.
Mapping Functionally Important Residues in the Na+/Dicarboxylate Cotransporter, NaDC1.

Transporters from the SLC13 family couple the transport of two to four Na+ ions with a di- or tricarboxylate, such as succinate or citrate. We have previously modeled mammalian members of the SLC13 family, including the Na+/dicarboxylate cotransporter NaDC1 (SLC13A2), based on a structure of the bacterial homologue VcINDY in an inward-facing conformation with one sodium ion bound at the Na1 site. In the study presented here, we modeled the outward-facing conformation of rabbit and human NaDC1 (rbNaDC1 and hNaDC1, respectively) using an outward-facing model of VcINDY as a template and identified residues in or near the putative Na2 and Na3 cation binding sites. Guided by the structural models in both conformations, we performed site-directed mutagenesis in rbNaDC1 for residues proposed to be in the Na+ or substrate binding sites. Cysteine substitution of T474 in the predicted Na2 binding site results in an inactive protein. The M539C mutant has a low apparent affinity for both sodium and lithium cations, s...
Fishing for answers in precision cancer medicine

“Which drug should I prescribe to the cancer patient in front of me?” This question is an inevitable riddle for many oncologists. While the list of US Food and Drug Administration-approved biomarker-driven targeted therapies in oncology grows every year, and clinical trials for new immunotherapy agents soar, chemotherapy is still widely used in the treatment of many cancer types. Even with the advent of new therapies, response rates that are often close to or below 50% still make it a coin toss to guess which drug a specific patient will respond to (1). The field of precision medicine has emerged to address this question and to arm oncologists with tools to make better predictions in prescribing treatment, based not on group averages but on a patient’s unique tumor genotype or phenotype. In this vibrant and growing field, genomic sequencing technologies and functional in vitro and in vivo drug testing using patient-derived tumor xenotransplantation into immunocompromised mice have been the dominant research directions. In PNAS, Fior et al. (2) bring zebrafish xenografts into the fray of precision medicine with a proof-of-concept study that illustrates the use of xenotransplantation of patient-derived colorectal carcinomas in zebrafish larvae as a fast in vivo drug testing platform. They optimized xenotransplantation of human colorectal cancer cells into zebrafish larvae that have not yet developed an adaptive immune response. Transplantation into transparent larvae allows for microscopic assessment of some phenotypic properties of the cancer cells (e.g., angiogenesis, migration); however, foremost, it is amenable for rapid parallel drug testing with high statistical power. To show the model’s value for precision medicine, Fior et al. (2) tested drugs that are the current standard of care for metastatic colorectal cancer, moving from a first-line treatment with cytotoxic chemotherapy [5-FU+oxaliplatin+folinic acid (FOLFOX) and 5-fluorouracil(FU)+irinotecan+folinic acid (FOLFIRI)] to second- and … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: zon{at}enders.tch.harvard.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Due diligence: Recognizing the role of patent research in the start-up life cycle

This article examines the role that business librarians can play in conveying the importance of thorough patent research in the start-up life cycle. It provides a summary of the components of the s...
Occupational therapists' perspectives on binocular diplopia in neurorehabilitation: A national survey.

Background Oculomotor dysfunction affects a significant number of adults with neurological conditions and binocular diplopia is a common symptom which impacts an individual's ability to participate in meaningful daily activities. Occupational therapists use partial and complete occlusion to minimize binocular diplopia, however a review of the literature reflected a lack of standardized protocol for each intervention technique. The purpose of this study was to examine occupational therapists' perspectives on the use of partial and complete occlusion and the clinical reasoning process used. Methods An electronic survey was distributed to occupational therapists working in a variety of practice settings. The survey contained questions relating to demographics, the selected occlusion technique, and clinical reasoning for that selection. Results More than half of the 106 respondents used partial occlusion more frequently than complete occlusion. There was no correlation between respondent experience and self-report of competence in managing binocular diplopia. Respondents based their clinical reasoning on available evidence, client factors, and clinical expertise. Conclusion Respondents offered conflicting perspectives on each occlusion technique. Future studies are required to examine which occlusion technique benefits clients.
mmWave Beam Steering via Visible Light Sensing

Wireless communication in mmWave bands with wide bandwidths and directional links is crucial for high data rate demands of future networks. A key challenge in mmWave networking is maintaining beam alignment under device mobility such as rotation or translation. We present LiSteer, a novel system which acquires and steers mmWave beams at mobile devices by repurposing indicator LEDs on wireless Access Points (APs) to passively acquire direction estimates using off-the-shelf light sensors, and demonstrate that LiSteer maintains beam alignment at the narrowest beamwidth level even in case of device mobility, without incurring any training overhead at mobile devices. Our extensive evaluation on custom hardware and simulation platforms shows LiSteer achieves direction estimates within 2.5 degrees of ground truth on average, and achieves beam steering accuracy of more than 97% while in tracking mode.
The effects of texture and surface condition on the iodine stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of unirradiated Zircaloy-2

Four lots of stress-relieved Zircaloy-2 tubing were prepared from a single heat of the alloy. Tube reduction parameters were controlled so that each lot had a different crystallographic texture. The tubing with the most radial (least tangential) basal pole intensity was shown to have a Kearns texture number in the radial direction of 0.61, whereas the equivalent value for the tubing with the least radial texture was 0.48. Each lot of tubing was given one of three surface treatments: etched, etched and grit blasted, or lightly etched and shot blasted. The iodine stress corrosion cracking (SCC) susceptibility of the unirradiated tubing was determined by measuring the time to failure in a standard tube pressurization test at about 593 K in which 6 mg of iodine was present for each square centimetre of exposed Zircaloy surface. The results showed that texture has a large effect on SCC susceptibility and that surface condition has a significant but lesser effect. The SCC resistance was lowest in the material with the most tangential basal pole intensity and increased as the texture became more radial. The lightly etched and shot-blasted surface resulted in times to failure that were shorter than the times for the othermore » two surface conditions. However, it seems likely that the influence of surface treatment is quite complex and that SCC susceptibility can change significantly with a seemingly minor change in the surface treatment technique. The effect of texture was interpreted in terms of its influence on strength, on deformation characteristics, and on orientation of SCC susceptible planes with respect to the dominant tensile (hoop) stress. The effect of surface condition was interpreted in terms of its influence on residual stresses, on local texture changes, on local stress concentration, and on chemical activity.« less
Triband Impedance Transformer for Frequency Dependent Complex Load

A TBIT (triband impedance transformer) for matching a FDCL (frequency dependent complex load) is proposed. The proposed design is composed of a DBIT (dual-band) and a DTBIT (dual-to-triband impedance transformer). The design takes advantage of available equations to obtain the transformer parameters values. The design is validated via simulations and measurements with matching achieved at GSM900, GSM1800 and 2.4 GHz ISM band.
Effect of different flow schemes on heat recovery from Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS)

Abstract Operational optimization is the key to maximize the heat extraction efficiency of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). Injection/production flowrate is one of the operational parameters that can be easily manipulated to produce desired amount of energy. In this study, the effect of different flow schemes on the rate of heat production is analyzed over a period of 30 years. Seven flow schemes (four continuous functions namely constant flow, linear flow, exponential flow, mirror exponential flow, and three step functions with step sizes of six months, three years and ten years) developed on the basis of mathematical functions were examined. A doublet EGS model with a single fracture was simulated using a commercial thermal reservoir simulator. The reservoir and well data were obtained from the FORGE (Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy) site at Milford Utah. The results were analyzed on the basis of their temperature decline curves for the produced water and the total amount of heat extracted over the entire period. The exponential flow scheme is the optimum case considering the rise in energy demand over the next 30 years. The amount of heat extracted per unit volume of water decreases with increase in total water volume circulated.
From Lester Frank Ward to John Dewey: The Three Universal Curriculums.

AbstractThe writings of Lester Frank Ward (1841–1913) on education over the last two decades of the 19th century were almost lost until they were brought to the attention of John Dewey (1859–1952)....
Combined Scaffold Evaluation and Systems-Level Transcriptome-Based Analysis for Accelerated Lead Optimization Reveals Ribosomal Targeting Spirooxindole Cyclopropanes

With evolutionary drug resistance impacting efforts to treat disease, the need for small molecules that exhibit novel molecular mechanisms of action is paramount. In this study, we combined scaffold-directed synthesis with a hybrid experimental and transcriptome analysis to identify bis-spirooxindole cyclopropanes that inhibit cancer cell proliferation through disruption of ribosomal function. These findings demonstrate the value of an integrated, biologically inspired synthesis and assay strategy for the accelerated identification of first-in-class cancer therapeutic candidates.
“Scrupulous Integrity and Moderation”: The First International Organization for Journalists and the Promotion of Professional Behavior, 1894–1914

Abstract This study discusses how the world's first international journalism association, the International Congress of the Press, sought to promote professional behavior among its members during that organization's most active years, from 1894 to 1914. While the tangible results of the association's efforts were meager, the debates and initiatives surrounding the issue of proper journalistic behavior provide a unique perspective on international standards for journalists 100 years ago. Among the most ambitious proposals of ICP members was an international tribunal that would seek to impose moderation and dignity in press polemics. It was never realized, however, due to changing international perceptions of the overall purpose of newspapers.
Lyophilization of human amniotic fluid is feasible without affecting biological activity

Fetal swallowing of human amniotic fluid (hAF) containing trophic factors (TFs) promotes gastrointestinal tract (GIT) development. Preterm birth interrupts hAF swallowing, which may increase the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Postnatally, it is difficult to replicate fetal swallowing of hAF due to volume. We aimed to evaluate whether hAF lyophilization is feasible and its effect on hAF-borne TFs. We collected hAF (n = 16) from uncomplicated pregnancies. hAF was divided into three groups: unprocessed control (C), concentration by microfiltration (F), and by dialysis and lyophilization (L). EGF, HGF, GM-CSF, and TGF-α were measured in each group by multiplex assay. Bioavailability of TFs was measured by proliferation and LPS-induced IL-8 production by intestinal epithelial cells FHs74. After dialysis/lyophilization, GM-CSF and TGF-α were preserved with partial loss of EGF and HGF. hAF increased cell proliferation and reduced LPS-induced IL-8 production compared to medium alone. Compared to control, dialysis/lyophilization and filtration of hAF increased FHs74 cell proliferation (p < 0.001) and decreased LPS-induced IL-8 production (p < 0.01). Lyophilization and filtration of hAF is feasible with partial loss of TFs but maintains and even improves bioavailability of TFs measured by proliferation and LPS-induced IL-8 production by FHs74.
Do nurse practitioner-led medical homes differ from physician-led medical homes?

Abstract Background/Purpose The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is an enhanced model of primary care. This study examined to what extent nurse practitioner (NP)-led PCMHs differed from traditional physician-led PCMHs. Methods We tested for differences between 391 NP-led PCMHs and 11,479 physician-led PCMHs, as well as across two distinct clusters identified by the Two-Step cluster analysis procedure using a sample of 136 practices. Findings NP‐led PCMHs were more likely to serve vulnerable populations in rural and underserved areas than physician-led PCMHs. NP-led PCMHs tended to be more responsive to population health needs in the areas during the recognition process, while physician-led PCMHs emphasized practice improvements through enhanced access to care and management of patient information data. Discussion The findings suggest possible differences in capabilities, priorities and needs of the population served across practices. This is an important guide as policymakers track the adoption of PCMHs.
Rasch analysis of the anterior knee pain scale in adolescents with patellofemoral pain.

Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the Anterior Knee Pain Scale in a cohort of adolescents being treated conservatively for patellofemoral pain using Rasch analysis.Design:This is a ps...
Colchicine in COVID-19: an Old Drug, New Use.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, is a pandemic causing havoc globally. Currently, there are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs to treat COVID-19. In the absence of effective treatment, off-label drug use, in lieu of evidence from published randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials, is common in COVID-19. Although it is vital to treat affected patients with antiviral drugs, there is a knowledge gap regarding the use of anti-inflammatory drugs in these patients. Colchicine trials to combat inflammation in COVID-19 patients have not received much attention. We await the results of ongoing colchicine randomized controlled trials in COVID-19, evaluating colchicine’s efficacy in treating COVID-19. This review gives a spotlight on colchicine’s anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties and why colchicine may help fight COVID-19. This review summarizes colchicine’s mechanism of action via the tubulin-colchicine complex. Furthermore, it discussed how colchicine interferes with several inflammatory pathways, including inhibition of neutrophil chemotaxis, adhesion, and mobilization; disruption of superoxide production, inflammasome inhibition, and tumor necrosis factor reduction; and its possible antiviral properties. In addition, colchicine dosing and pharmacokinetics, as well as drug interactions and how they relate to ongoing, colchicine in COVID-19 clinical trials, are examined.
Pacing at accelerated heart rate during echocardiography-guided atrioventricular optimisation following cardiac resynchronisation therapy.

Introduction Although echo-guided atrioventricular optimisation (AVO) is standardly performed at rest, this approach may not provide optimal AV synchrony during daily activities. Material and methods The AVO protocol at one of two hospital campuses had been modified to be performed while pacing at an accelerated heart rate. We tested if this approach would improve the yield from AVO compared to the other campus, where AVO was performed at the intrinsic sinus rate. Results Between campuses, no significant differences were seen in demographics, chamber sizes, left ventricular ejection fraction, and diastolic function grade. Those having AVO at C2 were more likely to demonstrate "fusion prone" physiology (36% vs. 9%; p = 0.006) and were more likely to display either "truncation- or fusion-prone" physiology (58% vs. 27%; p = 0.007). Conclusions When AVO was performed at an accelerated heart rate, patients with "truncation-prone" or "fusion-prone" physiology were identified more readily.
Media Relations and the Modern First Lady: From Jacqueline Kennedy to Melania Trump: Burns, Lisa M. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2020, 340 pp., $115 (hardback).

The latest book from first ladies’ scholar Lisa Burns explores the media relations hits and misses of first ladies throughout our nation’s history. With a team of some of the nation’s foremost expe...
Islanders and Empire: Smuggling and Political Defiance in Hispaniola, 1580–1690

Islanders and Empire examines the role smuggling played in the cultural, economic, and socio-political transformation of Hispaniola from the late sixteenth to seventeenth centuries. With a rare focus on local peoples and communities, the book analyzes how residents of Hispaniola actively negotiated and transformed the meaning and reach of imperial bureaucracies and institutions for their own benefit. By co-opting the governing and judicial powers of local and imperial institutions on the island, residents could take advantage of, and even dominate, the contraband trade that reached the island's shores. In doing so, they altered the course of the European inter-imperial struggles in the Caribbean by limiting, redirecting, or suppressing the Spanish crown's policies, thus taking control of their destinies and that of their neighbors in Hispaniola, other Spanish Caribbean territories, and the Spanish empire in the region.
Point-of-care Ultrasound in the Evaluation of Mitral Valve Regurgitation and Mitral Annular Calcification.

Author(s): Schoenberg, Benjamen; Alkhattabi, Marwan; Lahham, Shadi | Abstract: Case Presentation: A 77-year-old female presented to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain. Cardiac point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) was performed and demonstrated a hyperechoic structure on the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve. Admission to cardiology and echocardiogram revealed moderately decreased mobility of the posterior leaflet, mitral annular calcification, and severe mitral regurgitation.Discussion: These findings highlight the role of POCUS in identifying mitral valve pathology in the ED, ultimately leading to appropriate disposition and management. Mitral annular calcification can lead to significant manifestations including mitral stenosis or regurgitation, and advanced cases have been associated with an increased risk of infective endocarditis, thrombosis, and arrhythmia.
Improving program implementation and client engagement in interventions addressing youth homelessness: A meta-synthesis

Abstract Background Evidence on the effectiveness of programs serving unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness remains limited and mixed, and we know little about the factors that contribute to participant engagement and program implementation across contexts. Objective In this meta-synthesis of current findings on youth interventions, we explore the following research questions: (1) What are common programmatic or contextual factors that researchers and/or practitioners identify as contributing to the successful implementation of an intervention for homeless and unstably housed youth? and (2) What programmatic or contextual factors do youth and practitioners identify as hindering successful implementation of an intervention for these youth? Methods Through systematic searches of academic databases for articles and reports published between 2008 and 2018—as well as identifying unpublished concurrent studies through professional outreach, hand-searching reference lists, and searches of websites—we screened 1602 studies through two levels of blind review. We then inductively coded the resulting 47 studies that met our inclusion criteria to identify patterns and gaps in the existing literature about implementation and engagement in these programs. Results Most of the studies analyzed took place in urban settings, were based on programs located in the United States, and included a variety of interventions from behavioral health treatment to street outreach and case management. The 47 eligible studies included 3112 youth and 495 staff participants. Only 3 out of the 47 studies explicitly focused on racial or LGBTQ equity. Two primary themes regarding factors that support successful implementation and engagement were identified: (1) Organizational and system-wide policies can shape the quality and duration of interventions, and (2) Staff behaviors and training are paramount to the success of many interventions. With respect to organizational and system-wide policies, many studies highlighted the importance of fostering a developmentally appropriate balance between structure and flexibility; considerations to access including low-barrier options when appropriate; concerns regarding the physical space of the program; and coordination with other agencies, particularly for effective referrals. With respect to staffing behaviors and training, studies highlighted that engagement with youth experiencing homelessness requires strong communication, a youth-centered approach, and a “flexible, non-judgmental orientation,” that allows youth a substantial level of self-determination. Conclusions Given these findings, this review supports services that emphasize empowerment and anti-paternalism, and increased attention to racial and LGBTQ equity in future exploration of implementation and engagement within programs designed for youth experiencing homelessness.
NLRP6 modulates neutrophil homeostasis in bacterial pneumonia-derived sepsis

Bacterial pneumonia is a significant cause of morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditures. Optimum neutrophil recruitment and their function are critical defense mechanisms against respiratory pathogens. The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor (NLRP) 6 controls gut microbiota and immune response to systemic and enteric infections. However, the importance of NLRP6 in neutrophil homeostasis following lung infection remains elusive. To investigate the role of NLRs in neutrophil homeostasis, we used Nlrp6 gene-deficient (Nlrp6-/-) mice in a model of Klebsiella pneumoniae-induced pneumonia-derived sepsis. We demonstrated that NLRP6 is critical for host survival, bacterial clearance, neutrophil influx, and CXC-chemokine production. Kp-infected Nlrp6-/- mice have reduced numbers of hematopoietic stem cells and granulocyte-monocyte progenitors but increased retention of matured neutrophils in bone marrow. Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation and NET-mediated bacterial killing were also impaired in Nlrp6-/- neutrophils in vitro. Furthermore, recombinant CXCL1 rescued the impaired host defense, granulopoietic response, and NETosis in Kp-infected Nlrp6-/- mice. Using A/J background mice and co-housing experiments, our findings revealed that the susceptible phenotype of Nlrp6-/- mice is not strain-specific and gut microbiota-dependent. Taken together, these data unveil NLRP6 as a central regulator of neutrophil recruitment, generation, and function during bacterial pneumonia followed by sepsis.
Delayed subdural fluid collections after Ommaya reservoir placement.

Background Delayed subdural fluid collections can occur after Ommaya reservoir placement and can cause neurological symptoms and interfere with treatment. We performed a retrospective chart review in order to study risk factors for delayed subdural fluid collections and clinical outcomes. Methods Retrospective chart review was performed for patients undergoing ommaya reservoir placement between 2010-2019 at our institution. Results Out of 53 patients who had Ommaya reservoir placement during the study period, 11 developed delayed subdural fluid collections (21%). HIV infection was the only statistically significant risk factor (p=0.001, Fisher exact test). Thrombocytopenia, ventricle size, use of the reservoir, and suboptimal catheter placement were not associated with development of delayed subdural fluid collections. 2 patients, both HIV positive, required surgical evacuation. Conclusions Delayed subdural fluid collections occur in a significant minority of patients after Ommaya reservoir placement, and some patients require surgical intervention. HIV infection is associated with a higher risk of development of delayed subdural fluid collections. This patient subpopulation may benefit from closer monitoring or adjustment of management protocols.
Traffic Signal Timing and Trajectory Optimization in a Mixed Autonomy Traffic Stream

This study introduces a methodology for cooperative signal timing and trajectory optimization at intersections with a mix of connected automated vehicles (CAVs) and human-driven vehicles (HVs). We represent joint signal timing and trajectory control as a mixed-integer non-linear program, which is computationally complex. The developed methodology provides a balance between computational efficiency and solution quality by (a) linearizing the nonlinear constraints and reformulating the problem with a tight convex hull of the mixed-integer solutions and (b) decomposing the intersection-level program into several lane-level programs. Hence, a unique controller jointly optimizes the trajectories of CAVs on a lane and the signal timing parameters associated with that lane. This setting will allow finding near-optimal solutions with small duality gaps for complex intersections with different demand levels. Case study results show that the proposed methodology finds solutions efficiently with at most 0.1% duality gap. We compared the developed methodology with an existing signal timing and trajectory control approach and found 13% to 41% reduction in average travel time and 1% to 31% reduction in fuel consumption under different scenarios.
The Utilization and Costs of Grade D USPSTF Services in Medicare, 2007-2016.

Low-value care, or patient care that offers no net benefit in specific clinical scenarios, is costly and often associated with patient harm. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Grade D recommendations represent one of the most scientifically sound and frequently delivered groups of low-value services, but a more contemporary measurement of the utilization and spending for Grade D services beyond the small number of previously studied measures is needed. To estimate utilization and costs of seven USPSTF Grade D services among US Medicare beneficiaries. We conducted a cross-sectional study of data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) from 2007 to 2016 to identify instances of Grade D services. NAMCS is a nationally representative survey of US ambulatory visits at non-federal and non-hospital-based offices that uses a multistage probability sampling design. We included all visits by Medicare enrollees, which included traditional fee-for-service, Medicare Advantage, supplemental coverage, and dual-eligible Medicare-Medicaid enrollees. We measured annual utilization of seven Grade D services among adult Medicare patients, using inclusion and exclusion criteria from prior studies and the USPSTF recommendations. We calculated annual costs by multiplying annual utilization counts by mean per-unit costs of services using publicly available sources. During the study period, we identified 95,121 unweighted Medicare patient visits, representing approximately 2.4 billion visits. Each year, these seven Grade D services were utilized 31.1 million times for Medicare beneficiaries and cost $477,891,886. Three services—screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria, vitamin D supplements for fracture prevention, and colorectal cancer screening for adults over 85 years—comprised $322,382,772, or two-thirds of the annual costs of the Grade D services measured in this study. US Medicare beneficiaries frequently received a group of rigorously defined and costly low-value preventive services. Spending on low-value preventive care concentrated among a small subset of measures, representing important opportunities to safely lower US health care spending while improving the quality of care.
Advanced practice nursing: shaping health through policy.

Purpose To highlight the importance of advanced practice nurses (APNs) becoming politically engaged as key to promoting the healthcare interests of patients, communities and the profession and to offer specific strategies on how to become politically competent. Data sources Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, CINAHL, PubMed. Conclusions APNs must come to see political engagement as a professional obligation and health policy as something that they can shape rather than something that happens to them. Implications for practice The overall goal of healthcare reform is the provision of quality, safe and cost-effective healthcare for all Americans. APNs are graduate prepared clinicians that focus on health and illness management and are strategically positioned to lead the way in shaping and implementing health policy priorities.
Mutual Constraints on Representation and Inference

We examine the nature of representations from first principles, with the goal of providing an autonomous resource-limited agent with the ability to construct an appropriate language in which to express its beliefs. The principal cognitive constraints on representations for such agents are correctness of conclusions and efficiency of use. For deductive systems, the choice of formulation can have a great impact on efficiency, and we present a generative technique for automatic reformulation that creates abstractions to improve performance. The competence (ability to solve problems correctly) of non-deductive systems depends strongly on choice of representation. We illustrate this dependence using two simple cases from nonmonotonic reasoning and give some ideas for choosing representations that allow successful analogical reasoning. In sum, we propose a new division of labor between representation choice and inference.
Do REIT Repurchases Signal Value Changes in Rivals? An Analysis of the Stock Price Reaction of Non-Repurchasing REITs

We examine REITs at the announcement of plans for open market repurchases and determine the impact of these announcements on competing REITs. Consistent with prior research, we find evidence of significant positive returns to the repurchasing firms, on average, at announcement. We do not find evidence of a significant reaction for rival REITs. When we divide the sample based on sign of the announcement day returns to the repurchasing REITs, we find the impact for rivals differs. When there is a positive announcement effect for the repurchasing REIT, rivals do not react. When there is a negative announcement effect for the repurchasing REIT, rivals also have significant negative returns.
Atmospheric oxidation chemistry and ozone production: Results from SHARP 2009 in Houston, Texas

[1] Ozone (O3) and secondary fine particles come from the atmospheric oxidation chemistry that involves the hydroxyl radical (OH) and hydroperoxyl radical (HO2), which are together called HOx. Radical precursors such as nitrous acid (HONO) and formaldehyde (HCHO) significantly affect the HOx budget in urban environments. These chemical processes connect surface anthropogenic and natural emissions to local and regional air pollution. Using the data collected during the Study of Houston Atmospheric Radical Precursors (SHARP) in spring 2009, we examine atmospheric oxidation chemistry and O3 production in this polluted urban environment. A numerical box model with five different chemical mechanisms was used to simulate the oxidation processes and thus OH and HO2 in this study. In general, the model reproduced the measured OH and HO2 with all five chemical mechanisms producing similar levels of OH and HO2, although midday OH was overpredicted and nighttime OH and HO2 were underpredicted. The calculated HOx production was dominated by HONO photolysis in the early morning and by the photolysis of O3 and oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) in the midday. On average, the daily HOx production rate was 24.6 ppbv d−1, of which 30% was from O3 photolysis, 22% from HONO photolysis, 15% from the photolysis of OVOCs (other than HCHO), 14% from HCHO photolysis, and 13% from O3 reactions with alkenes. The O3 production was sensitive to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the early morning but was sensitive to NOx for most of afternoon. This is similar to the behavior observed in two previous summertime studies in Houston: the Texas Air Quality Study in 2000 (TexAQS 2000) and the TexAQS II Radical and Aerosol Measurement Project in 2006 (TRAMP 2006). Ozone production in SHARP exhibits a longer NOx-sensitive period than TexAQS 2000 and TRAMP 2006, indicating that NOx control may be an efficient approach for the O3 control in springtime for Houston. Results from this study provide additional support for regulatory actions to reduce NOx and reactive VOCs in Houston in order to reduce O3 and other secondary pollutants.
Programming Languages: Structures and Models

Preliminary concepts overview of imperative model data aggregates procedural abstraction data abstraction example language - C example language - Modula-2 overview of functional model scheme - a functional-oriented language Ml - a typed functional language overview of logic-oriented model Prolog - a logic oriented language overview of object-oriented model Smalltalk - an object-oriented language C++ - an object-oriented language overview of distributed-parallel model concurrent units in Ada concurrent units in Occam.
More on Regular Sets

Here is another example of a regular set that is a little harder than the example given last time. Consider the set $$\left\{ {x \in \left\{ {0,1} \right\}*\left| {x\;{\text{represents a multiple of three in binary}}} \right.} \right\}$$ (4.1) (leading zeros permitted, e represents the number 0). For example, the following binary strings represent multiples of three and should be accepted: Open image in new window
ACR Appropriateness Criteria Radiologic Management of Infected Fluid Collections

Infected fluid collections are common and occur in a variety of clinical scenarios throughout the body. Minimally invasive image-guided management strategies for infected fluid collections are often preferred over more invasive options, given their low rate of complications and high rates of success. However, specific clinical scenarios, anatomic considerations, and prior or ongoing treatments must be considered when determining the optimal management strategy. As such, several common scenarios relating to infected fluid collections were developed using evidence-based guidelines for management. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.
Effect of IL-1beta and TNF-alphavs IL-13 on bronchial hyperresponsiveness, beta(2) -adrenergic responses and cellularity of bronchial alveolar lavage fluid

Summary 1 Levels of IL-13, IL-1β and TNF-α are increased in bronchial lavage fluid of asthmatics and induce certain significant features of bronchial asthma including airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR). In this study, we have investigated the effect of these cytokines in naive mice and those sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) on bronchoconstrictions to methacholine (MCh) and the functional antagonism induced by β2-adrenoceptor agonism. 2 Naive or OVA-sensitized mice were treated for 3 days with IL-1β (250 U), TNF-α (150 ng), IL-13 (5 μg) or combinations of IL-1β with TNF-α or IL-1β with IL-13. MCh-induced bronchoconstriction and its sensitivity to albuterol, a β2-adrenoceptor agonist, was assessed 24 h after the last cytokine administration. 3 In naive mice, responsiveness to MCh was significantly increased by the combination of IL-1β and TNF-α, IL-13 alone or in combination with IL-1β, but not by treatment with IL-1β or TNF-α alone. Similar results were obtained in OVA-sensitized mice except that treatment with IL-13 alone did not increase sensitivity to MCh. 4 In naive mice, albuterol sensitivity was only significantly attenuated by treatment with IL-1β and TNF-α in combination. In mice sensitized to OVA, albuterol sensitivity was significantly attenuated by treatment with TNF-α, IL-13 or IL-13 in combination with IL-1β. 5 Inflammatory cell influx was increased by all cytokines and combinations except IL-13 in OVA-sensitized mice. 6 Our data do not support a link between inflammatory cell influx and AHR. In addition, the mechanism of IL-13-induced AHR might involve decreased β2-adrenoceptor responsiveness.
Isolation and Functional Characterization of Pluripotent Stem Cell–Derived Cardiac Progenitor Cells

The use of transgenic markers in pluripotent stem cells allows the facile isolation of transient cell populations that appear at certain phases of embryonic development. Here we describe a procedure for deriving cardiac progenitors from mouse pluripotent stem cells carrying a GFP reporter under the control of an Nkx2.5 enhancer sequence. The cells are propagated under standard conditions and differentiated using the hanging-droplet method with medium optimized for commitment to the cardiac lineage. Cardiac progenitors are isolated from the differentiation culture using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and can be cultured further for functional characterization and experimentation. The protocols described here can be applied to both embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells and can easily be adapted to transgenic lines carrying other cardiac cell lineage reporters.
Optimized DPPH assay in a detergent-based buffer system for measuring antioxidant activity of proteins

The 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay is well established for the in vitro determination of antioxidant activity in food and biological extracts. The standard DPPH assay uses methanol or ethanol as solvents, or buffered alcoholic solutions in a ratio of 40%/60% (buffer/alcohol, v/v) to keep the hydrophobic hydrazyl radical and phenolic test compounds soluble while offering sufficient buffering capacity at different pHs tested. Following this protocol, we were unable to keep proteinaceous antioxidants soluble at different pHs to test for their antioxidant activity. Thus, the assay protocol was modified as follows to improve its utility: Non-ionic detergents were added to keep the DPPH radical soluble and to provide a mild and non-denaturing environment for the antioxidant protein.Maximal concentration of DPPH was limited to 100 μM to stay within the sensitivity range of the detector at the given wavelength (515 nm) and to increase the dynamic range of the assay.0.1 M citrate phosphate buffer was introduced to prevent experimental artifacts due to changing buffer compositions at different pHs.
Resonance Problems Which Intersect Many Eigenvalues

We study semilinear problems in which the nonlinear part is linear at infinity but behaves like a function intersecting many of the eigenvalues of the linear operator. The asymptotic linear operator can have a null space of any finite dimension.
Generation and trapping of 6,6-dimethyl-6-silafulvene

Abstract Flow pyrolysis of allylcyclopentadienyldimethylsilane and of 1-dimethylmethoxysilyl-1-trimethylsilylcyclopentadiene afforded 6, 6-dimethyl-6-silafulvene which was either trapped or allowed to dimerize.
Translation of a Purified DNA–RNA Complex

A eukaryotic DNA–RNA complex, which seems to be a transcription complex, can be translated in vitro by a cell-free system from E. coli.
Persistent T-wave changes after alteration of the ventricular activation sequence. New insights into cellular mechanisms of 'cardiac memory'.

BACKGROUND"Cardiac memory" refers to persistent T-wave changes on ECG that follow resumption of sinus rhythm after a period of altered activation sequence. Previous studies demonstrated that cardiac memory in intact dogs was abolished by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), which blocks both the transient outward potassium current, Ito, and IK.METHODS AND RESULTSWe used standard microelectrode techniques to study the mechanism for cardiac memory in canine ventricular subepicardial and subendocardial slabs measuring 15 x 30 x 1 to 2 mm. Bipolar electrodes were used to stimulate slabs parallel to fiber axis, simulating normal activation, and perpendicular to fiber axis, simulating ventricular pacing. Four 30-minute periods of normal activation at a basic cycle length of 650 milliseconds were interrupted by three 20-minute periods of ventricular pacing at a basic cycle length of 450 milliseconds. We first recorded action potentials differentially from epicardial and endocardial slabs. The stimulation protocol induced cha...
Biosynthesis of serotonin in Raphé nuclei of rat brain: effect of p-chlorophenylalanine.

The activity of tryptophan hydroxylase (EC 1.99.1.4) in the region of the raphe nuclei of rat brain was higher than that of any other brain area. The content of serotonin and the rate of serotonin synthesis were also highest in the raphe nuclei. Following the administration of p-chlorophenylalanine the injection of tryptophan and pargyline increased the content of serotonin in the region of the raphe nuclei of rat brain. The results suggest that the raphe nuclei retained the capacity to hydroxyl-late tryptophan to some extent after the injection of p-chlorophenylalanine.
Predictors of repeat transarterial chemoembolization in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Objectives Repeat transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a common intervention performed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to identify predictors of the need for repeat TACE.
Single-integration mode scheduling for linear time-varying switched systems

This paper considers the problem of optimizing the schedule of modes in an autonomous linear time-varying switched system subject to a quadratic cost functional. The switched system optimization is formulated as an infinitedimensional optimal control problem where a projection-based technique handles an integer constraint. In the proposed implementation, only a single set of differential equations needs to be solved off-line, with no additional simulation required during the optimization. Robustness to numerical errors is enhanced as these differential equations are as smooth as the system’s vector fields, despite the optimization itself being non-smooth. An example demonstrates the optimization algorithm steps and verifies feasibility and convergence.
Non-enzymatic modification of proteins by steroids: pathological implications for autoimmunity and glucocorticoid toxicity.

Certain steroids can react with proteins to form stable, covalent addition products. 16α-hydroxyestrone and the glucocorticoids, for example, contain ketol moieties which permit them to react non-enzymatically with proteins by forming Schiffbase rearrangement products with lysine residues. The oral contraceptive agent, 17α-ethinylestradiol, can add to proteins after being enzymatically activated by microsomal oxidation. Elevated plasma levels of these steroids result in an increased amount of protein modification in vivo. Recent investigations have linked the occurrence of steroid-modified proteins with pathological sequelae associated with high steroid levels.
Sylvia Plath's Emersonian I/Eye

“In proportion to the energy of his thought and will, [man] takes up the world into himself” —Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Nature” If Sylvia Plath remains an uneasy haunting in our literary imagination, t...
Effect of temperature and antioxidants upon the lipoxidase-catalyzed oxidation of sodium linoleate.

Abstract The effects of temperature from −6 ° to 30 °C. and antioxidants upon the lipoxidase-catalyzed oxidation of aqueous sodium linoleate have been studied. An accurate analytical method for establishing the initial rates of the lipoxidase reaction has been described. The lipoxidase-catalyzed oxidation of linoleate was found to have a relatively low activation energy, 4300 cal./mole. Complete freezing of the lipoxidase system reduced the reaction rate to less than 1% of that found in the liquid system at the same temperature. All the phenolic antioxidants tested were found to inhibit the reaction. The greatest inhibitory effect was obtained with nordihydro-guaiaretic acid, followed closely by propyl gallate; the effective concentrations were sufficiently low so that these two antioxidants might prove useful in protecting foods from this type of oxidation. The biologically important antioxidant, α-tocopherol, was rapidly oxidized in the lipoxidase system.
Scheduling Multicast Traffic with Deadlines in Wireless Networks

We consider the problem of transmitting multicast flows with hard deadlines over unreliable wireless channels. Every user in the network subscribes to several multicast flows, and requires a minimum throughput for each subscribed flow to meet the QoS constraints. The network controller schedules the transmissions of multicast traffic based on the instant feedback from the users. We characterize the multicast throughput region by analyzing its boundary points, each of which is the solution to a finite-horizon dynamic programming problem over an exponentially large state space. Using backward induction and interchange arguments, we show that the dynamic programming problems are solved by greedy policies that maximize the immediate weighted sum throughput in every slot. Furthermore, we develop a dynamic throughput-optimal policy that achieves any feasible throughput vector by tracking the running performance received by the users.
Synergistic Integration of Concept Mapping and Cause and Effect Diagramming Into Simulated Experiences

Abstract The ability to demonstrate clinical judgment while applying critical and reflective thinking skills is mandatory for nurses (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 1998; National League for Nursing, 2003). Yet research has demonstrated that new nursing graduates have difficulty transferring knowledge and skills to the clinical setting (Clarke & Aiken, 2003; Del Bueno, 2005). Simulation provides faculty an innovative strategy to promote meaningful learning and facilitate the development of safe, effective, and competent graduates. This article discusses the integration of concept mapping and cause-and-effect diagramming as components of a simulated experience in an effort to facilitate the development of critical and reflective thinking.