cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Costs and Efficacy of Liposomal Doxorubicin in Platinum-Refractory Ovarian Cancer in Heavily Pretreated Patients

Abstract Objective. In clinical practice, chemotherapy agents demonstrating modest second-line activity against platinum-refractory epithelial ovarian cancer (PROC) are frequently used in patients who have received multiple prior chemotherapy agents. Whether the response rates reported in selected patients can be expected in heavily pretreated patients is not known. Similarly, the costs of palliative chemotherapy are not known. We sought to determine the response, survival, and predictors of response in an unselected cohort of PROC patients receiving liposomal doxorubicin (LD) for relapsed disease, and the overall costs of delivering liposomal doxorubicin in this setting. Methods. In a cohort of 62 consecutive patients who initiated LD as second- or greater-line therapy for PROC, the following variables were examined: age, number of prior regimens for relapse disease, duration of first clinical remission, time from last prior treatment, dose intensity of LD received, response/clinical benefit, time to progression, toxic effects, and survival. Multivariate analyses were used to identify predictors of clinical benefit and overall survival. Direct medical charges were calculated and converted to costs, and major cost drivers determined. Results. Sixty-two patients received a total of 174 cycles of LD. The mean number of cycles per patient was 2 (range, 1–8); the median number of prior regimens for recurrent PROC was 2 (range, 0–8); and the median duration of the first clinical remission was 6 months. Median dose intensity of LD delivered was 11.4 mg/m 2 /week (range, 2.8–16.7 mg/m 2 /week). Nine of sixty-two patients (14.5%) had an objective clinical response by CA-125 and/or CT scan (95% confidence interval, 6–23%). Grade 3/4 toxicity occurred in 11% of patients. In the full cohort, median time to progression was 2.2 months, and median overall survival, 9.6 months (range, 0.2–26 months). Dose intensity was the only independent predictor of overall response. Duration of first clinical remission and number of prior salvage regimens were associated with longer overall survival. The mean total direct medical cost per cycle of LD was $5763, and the major cost drivers were hospitalizations and drug acquisition/delivery costs. Conclusion. LD is an active agent in PROC, even when used as greater-than-second-line therapy. Among heavily pretreated patients, delivering a dose intensity of at least 9.0 mg/m 2 /week was associated with a higher probability of response. The cost per cycle of LD is driven by hospitalizations and drug acquisition/delivery costs.
Theory and Practice: A Field Investigation and Identification of Group Members' Perceptions of Problems Facing Natural Work Groups

The literature regarding small group behavior poses an interesting anomaly. On the one hand, the professional literature emphasizes the contribution of small group participation to organizational e...
Efficient reconfiguration of 2-D rectangular systolic arrays

The authors present a simple but elegant approach to designing a reconfigurable 2-D rectangular systolic array with much reduced overhead which is especially suited for fabrication-time reconfiguration which can be directed toward yield enhancement. The performance and effectiveness of the proposed design and the reconfiguration scheme is compared with a new approach, adopted by Kim and Reddy to reconfigure a 2-D systolic array. Extensive simulation results indicate that the approach provides a much enhanced utilization of spare cells and a higher survivability in the presence of multipath faults, while requiring very minimal low-cost reconfiguration circuitry. >
Experimental evidence that phenotypic divergence in predators drives community divergence in prey

Studies of adaptive divergence have traditionally focused on the ecological causes of trait diversification, while the ecological consequences of phenotypic divergence remain relatively unexplored. Divergence in predator foraging traits, in particular, has the potential to impact the structure and dynamics of ecological communities. To examine the effects of predator trait divergence on prey communities, we exposed zooplankton communities in lake mesocosms to predation from either anadromous or landlocked (freshwater resident) alewives, which have undergone recent and rapid phenotypic differentiation in foraging traits (gape width, gill raker spacing, and prey size-selectivity). Anadromous alewives, which exploit large prey items, significantly reduced the mean body size, total biomass, species richness, and diversity of crustacean zooplankton relative to landlocked alewives, which exploit smaller prey. The zooplankton responses observed in this experiment are consistent with patterns observed in lakes. This study provides direct evidence that phenotypic divergence in predators, even in its early stages, can play a critical role in determining prey community structure.
Breast cancer in men: prognostic factors, treatment patterns, and outcome.

Purpose. The aim of this study was to review the clinical presentation and to evaluate prognostic factors, treatment modalities, outcome, and second malignancy in male breast cancer patients. A cha...
Discrimination of Self-Parasitized Hosts by the Pupal Parasitoid Muscidifurax zaraptor (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

Abstract Females of Muscidifurax zaraptor Kogan & Legner, a solitary pupal parasitoid of house flies, Musca domestica L., discriminated between hosts previously parasitized by themselves and by conspecifics. When hosts were in short supply, females avoided self-superparasitism and laid eggs in hosts that had been previously parasitized by conspecifics. When females were given a choice to oviposit in unparasitized pupae and hosts previously parasitized by themselves and conspecifics, females avoided superparasitism. Superparasitism seems to be avoided by the use of short-term memory of the position of the pupae and the use of internal host cues. Females did not respond to external cues. The adaptive significance of superparasitism in M. zaraptor is discussed.
Beliefs about Language Learning: Students and Their Teachers at Arabic Programs Abroad

The U.S. public holds certain beliefs to be self-evident about language learning: To learn a foreign language, one must study abroad. Since World War I and especially after World War II, students of French, German, or Spanish have enrolled in junior year, semester, or summer language programs in Europe. Educators have suggested that by studying the targeted language in an immersion setting, U.S. students gain a higher proficiency than students might acquire with only stateside instruction.
The Significance of Credits and Subsidies in Russian Agriculture

Federal transfers to Russia's agro-industrial complex fell from 10 percent of GDP in 1992 to 3 percent of GDP in 1993, and were slated to be only 2 percent of GDP in 1994. But the basic framework for agricultural policy has not changed since the Soviet era and federal transfers have tended to impede rather than enhance market-oriented reform. Galbi analyzes the role of federal agricultural credits and subsidies in Russia since the Gaidar reforms of January 1992. Pressure on the budget has led to a significant reduction in federal transfers to the agro-industrial complex. Transfers fell from 10 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 1992 to 3 percent of GDP in 1993, and budget transfers for 1994 are only about 2 percent of GDP. But the nature of federal transfers to the agro-industrial complex has not changed significantly since 1992, and federal transfers have tended to impede market-oriented reform rather than enhance it. So reform in the agriculture sector has been driven largely by a budget squeeze on the implementation of policies that hinder the development of market-oriented agriculture. Galbi provides an overview of federal agro-industrial programs, describing four types of support in detail: ° Credits and subsidies to promote private farms. ° Credits associated with state procurement of agricultural products. ° Subsidies for agricultural inputs. ° General subsidies to agricultural producers. He shows the difficulty of using federal transfers to support agriculture when institutions are unstable, the government's administrative and regulatory capabilities are weak, and information needed for effective credit allocation is unavailable. He also shows the extent to which the framework for agricultural policy has not changed since the Soviet era. This paper - a product of the Office of the Vice President, Development Economics - is part of an ongoing research on Russian monetary and credit policy.
From Combat to Khakis: An Exploratory Examination of Job Stress With Veterans

Veterans are having a difficult time reintegrating back into the civilian sector following their service, with nearly 44% reporting some type of problem. The experienced stress and resultant strain...
The Marketing of Dual Language Education Policy in Utah Print Media

We argue the emergence of a shift in U.S. language education policy discourses from an equity/heritage (EH) framework focused on equity for English learners and non-English heritage languages, toward a global human capital (GHC) framework linked to neoliberal considerations of the language skills of individuals and nations. This discursive shift represents a change in the audience to which language education programs are primarily marketed. Drawing on a critical approach to content analysis to test for evidence of this discursive shift in Utah, we analyzed 164 articles from 5 Utah newspapers from 2005 to 2011 that assigned value statements to dual language and bilingual education. EH values declined or changed little over time whereas GHC values increased. Policy implications are discussed.
Deconstructing Detonation: Analytical Calculation of Unsteady Thrust in a PDE

Thrust calculation is extremely straightforward for steady propulsion systems, thus the tendency to simply apply the same procedure to unsteady propulsion devices exists. The eect of ignoring the unsteady term in the axial momentum equation when assessing the specific thrust and/or specific impulse of an unsteady propulsion system is examined. Unsteady terms are analytically calculated based on locally steady phenomena and validated against a time-accurate numerical solution for single detonation tube open at only one end. Calculating and storing the unsteady terms increases computational demands, therefore it is important to understand when unsteady terms significantly contribute to specific thrust and impulse. Based on a fundamental understanding of unsteady thrust terms the decisions to calculate or ignore terms for a particular application can be justified.
Automated construction of an intraoperative high-dose-rate treatment plan library for the Varian brachytherapy treatment planning system

Abstract Purpose The ability to create treatment plans for intraoperative high-dose-rate (IOHDR) brachytherapy is limited by lack of imaging and time constraints. An automated method for creation of a library of high-dose-rate brachytherapy plans that can be used with standard planar applicators in the intraoperative setting is highly desirable. Methods and Materials Nonnegative least squares algebraic methods were used to identify dwell time values for flat, rectangular planar applicators. The planar applicators ranged in length and width from 2 cm to 25 cm. Plans were optimized to deliver an absorbed dose of 10 Gy to three different depths from the patient surface: 0 cm, 0.5 cm, and 1.0 cm. Software was written to calculate the optimized dwell times and insert dwell times and positions into a .XML plan template that can be imported into the Varian brachytherapy treatment planning system. The user may import the .XML template into the treatment planning system in the intraoperative setting to match the patient applicator size and prescribed treatment depth. Results A total of 1587 library plans were created for IOHDR brachytherapy. Median plan generation time was approximately 1 minute per plan. Plan dose was typically 100% ± 1% (mean, standard deviation) of the prescribed dose over the entire length and width of the applicator. Plan uniformity was best for prescription depths of 0 cm and 0.5 cm from the patient surface. Conclusions An IOHDR plan library may be created using automated methods. Thousands of plan templates may be optimized and prepared in a few hours to accommodate different applicator sizes and treatment depths and reduce treatment planning time. The automated method also enforces dwell time symmetry for symmetrical applicator geometries, which simplifies quality assurance.
The Post Judgment Request for Prejudgment Interest: When Is a Final Decision Final?

This article previews the issues and arguments in Osterneck v. Ernst and Whitney, on the Supreme Court’s 1988-89 appellate docket. The Supreme Court must decide whether a post-trial request for the award of prejudgment interest constitutes a motion to alter or amend the judgment, rendering an earlier notice of appeal untimely and ineffective.In federal court, a series of interrelated rules and statutes strictly governs how much time a party has in which to bring an appeal after the jury has returned its verdict and the court has entered a judgment. The general rule is that an appeal must be "timely taken" from a final decision or else the party forfeits its right of appeal. Thus, knowing when a decision is final is crucial to giving proper notice of appeal and thereby preserving procedural rights.The general problem of giving a timely notice of appeal is complicated by an array of possible post-trial motions, among them a motion to alter or amend the judgment. If a party files this request, then the judgment will not become final until the court rules on the motion. Once the court has ruled, then the party who wishes to appeal must file a new and timely notice of appeal. Conversely, if a notice of appeal was filed prior to a litigant's motion to amend a judgment, then the court's subsequent ruling on the motion renders the earlier notice ineffective as a basis for appeal.In the last 15 years, the lower federal courts have been bedeviled by this highly technical problem concerning exactly when a judgment should be considered final for appeal purposes. In particular, the courts have struggled to determine whether certain post-trial requests are the equivalent of a motion to alter or amend a judgment that would render an earlier notice of appeal ineffective. Last term, in two separate cases, the Supreme Court decided that a post-trial request for attorney fees and costs did not constitute a motion to amend the judgment. This term the Court will have to determine whether a post-judgment request for prejudgment interest is analogous to a motion for attorney fees and costs, or whether it is distinguishable from those post-trial motions.The Court in Osterneck will now have to determine whether the bright-line rule concerning attorney fees applies to a post-judgment request for prejudgment interest. If the Court indeed eschews an inquiry into the status of the request as merit or nonmerit-related, then it may simply rely on its "collateral to and separate from the judgment" test. At any rate, the Court must resolve the conflict among the circuit courts of appeals with regard to the appropriate characterization of prejudgment interest. The 10th Circuit has held that prejudgment interest is part of a damages award and is therefore intrinsic to the merits of the underlying action, and not "collateral" in the same sense as attorney fees. The 9th Circuit, on the other hand, has held that prejudgment interest is a collateral issue that cannot be decided until there is a final judgment on the merits.
Interactions of C1(-)-inhibitors from normal persons and patients with type II hereditary angioneurotic edema with purified activated Hageman factor (factor XIIa)

Activated high molecular weight Hageman factor (75 Kd) and Hageman factor carboxy-terminal fragments both formed complexes with purified C1(-)-inhibitor, but the Hageman factor fragments appeared to have a higher affinity for the C1(-)-inhibitor than activated Hageman factor. Therefore, the clot-promoting activity of activated Hageman factor might be relatively unimpaired if Hageman factor fragments are also present. Normal C1(-)-inhibitor was cleaved by Hageman factor fragments. Clot-promoting activity was not generated in Hageman factor by exposure to Hageman factor fragments, nor was Hageman factor cleaved by Hageman factor fragments. When Hageman factor was cleaved by streptokinase-activated plasminogen, a 40 Kd fragment was released. In contrast to their interactions with other proteinases, which are blocked by normal C1(-)-inhibitor, Type II C1(-)-inhibitors from plasmas of affected members of eight different kindred with this form of hereditary angioneurotic edema all inhibited the specific coagulant activity of activated Hageman factor to some degree. They did not all form complexes with activated Hageman factor that were stable during sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
FIBER OPTIC EVANESCENT SENSOR FOR FLUOROIMMUNOASSAY

The application of optical fibers as biosensors is a topic of increasing interest and importance. The evanescent wave technique with its short interaction distance is ideally suited to the measurement of biomolecules closely attached to the surface of a fiber.1 The use of a fluorescent tag attached to either antibody or antigen analytes thereby allows a quantitative measure of concentration from the fluorescence emanating from the fiber.2
Effect of refrigeration on in vitro penetration of Salmonella enteritidis through the egg yolk membrane.

Internally contaminated eggs have been implicated as leading sources of transmission of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) to humans. Although SE is not often deposited inside the nutrient-rich yolks of naturally contaminated eggs, penetration through the vitelline membrane to reach the yolk contents could result in rapid bacterial multiplication. In previous studies, such penetration has been observed occasionally at warm temperatures during experiments with in vitro egg contamination models. The present study was conducted to determine whether refrigeration affects the frequency of in vitro SE penetration of the egg yolk membrane. After inoculation of small numbers of SE onto the outside of the vitelline membranes of intact yolks, immediate refrigeration of contaminated samples prevented the penetration of SE into the egg yolk contents during 24 11 of storage. However, SE penetrated inside the yolk contents in 4C/c of contaminated egg samples refrigerated after 2 h of storage at 30 CC, 15% of samples refrigerated after 6 h of storage at 30°C. and 40% of samples stored at 30°C for 24 h (48 samples per treatment group). These results highlight the value of prompt refrigeration for restricting the opportunities for SE to multiply to high numbers inside the yolks of contaminated eggs.
Benefits of a Culturally Tailored Health Promotion Program for Latino Youth With Disabilities and Their Families

Little research is available about youth with disabilities, who experience numerous inequalities in health outcomes compared with youth without disabilities. Youth with disabilities experience many environmental and attitudinal barriers in maintaining healthy lifestyles, which put them at risk for obesity. Strong evidence has suggested that obesity rates are higher among youth with disabilities than among their nondisabled peers. The purpose of this study was to implement and examine the benefits of a culturally tailored healthy lifestyles program for Latino youth with disabilities and their families. Several cultural adaptations were made to align with the target population's cultural norms. Seventeen Latino families identified 67 behaviors they wanted to change or new habits they wanted to establish. The postassessment data showed that several family routines improved, and families reported engaging in many of the healthy habits they had identified for themselves. Implications of culturally appropriate and accessible programming are discussed.
Co-integration of a quartz OCXO and Si MEMS inertial sensors for improved navigational accuracy

On-chip integration of quartz resonators with Si devices opens new opportunities for microsystem miniaturization and enhanced performance. In addition to integrating with electronics, the integration of piezoelectric quartz resonators with other sensors of different material composition is also possible. In this paper, we demonstrate that a VHF SC-cut quartz resonator can be integrated within a high-aspect-ratio Si disk gyro with on-chip heating for locally ovenizing both devices in the same wafer-level vacuum cavity. The SC-cut OCXO can be used to lock the frequency and temperature of the gyro to ≤ 2 ppb and ≤50 μΧ, respectively, for improved accuracy.
Influx and Production Rates in Peak-Mode Isotachophoresis

We present an analytical model useful in the design of peak-mode isotachophoresis (ITP) experiments. The model quantifies sample influx and production rates, the latter in applications where ITP is used to accelerate chemical reactions. We include analysis of the effect of initial sample placement location. We derive and identify key nondimensional parameters for the general case of weak electrolyte buffer ions in terms of sample placement (injection mode), initial concentrations, fully ionized mobilities, and reaction kinetic constants. We then discuss how to use these parameters in the optimal design of peak-mode ITP assays and highlight regimes of particular interest. We clearly identify a quasi-equilibrium regime wherein production rates increase until they equal the influx rate of the low abundance sample species. The model and analysis are generally applicable to both cationic and anionic ITP assays and likely to a wide range of sample species.
Meaning in life and violations of beliefs and goals: reciprocal relations among individuals with congestive heart failure.

ABSTRACTBackground and objectives: In the context of highly stressful experiences, violations of beliefs and goals and meaning in life may have a reciprocal relationship over time. More violations may lead to lowered meaning, whereas higher meaning may lead to lowered violations. The present study examines this relationship among congestive heart failure (CHF) patients.Design: A cross-lagged panel design was used.Methods: CHF patients (N = 142) reported twice, six months apart, on their meaning in life and the extent to which CHF violates their beliefs and goals.Results: Overall, results were consistent with a reciprocal relationship, showing that greater goal violations led to negative subsequent changes in meaning, whereas greater meaning led to favorable subsequent changes in violations of beliefs and goals.Conclusions: Meaning in life and violations may contribute to one another, and therefore, in understanding the adjustment process, it is important to consider their interrelationship. The results ar...
Strings in AdS{sub 3} and the SL(2,R) WZW Model. Part 1: The spectrum

In this paper we study the spectrum of bosonic string theory on AdS{sub 3}. We study classical solutions of the SL(2,R) WZW model, including solutions for long strings with non-zero winding number. We show that the model has a symmetry relating string configurations with different winding numbers. We then study the Hilbert space of the WZW model, including all states related by the above symmetry. This leads to a precise description of long strings. We prove a no-ghost theorem for all the representations that are involved and discuss the scattering of the long string.
Highly Multiplexed Single-Cell In Situ Protein Analysis with Cleavable Fluorescent Antibodies.

Limitations on the number of proteins that can be quantified in single cells in situ impede advances in our deep understanding of normal cell physiology and disease pathogenesis. Herein, we present a highly multiplexed single-cell in situ protein analysis approach that is based on chemically cleavable fluorescent antibodies. In this method, antibodies tethered to fluorophores through a novel azide-based cleavable linker are utilized to detect their protein targets. After fluorescence imaging and data storage, the fluorophores coupled to the antibodies are efficiently cleaved without loss of protein target antigenicity. Upon continuous cycles of target recognition, fluorescence imaging, and fluorophore cleavage, this approach has the potential to quantify over 100 different proteins in individual cells at optical resolution. This single-cell in situ protein profiling technology will have wide applications in signaling network analysis, molecular diagnosis, and cellular targeted therapies.
Imagining the body in tantric contemplative practice

This paper addresses imagination, focusing on two words, bhāvana and vikalpa, both frequently translated as "imagination," and addresses the connections imagination has with the body, specifically within the context of contemplative practices. Drawing primarily from the 10th and 11th century philosophical school of the Pratyabhijnā of Abhinavagupta and Utpaladeva, this paper proposes a more complex understanding of imagination as consisting of different forms, some connected with the body, others not. This paper suggests that the medieval Indian understanding of imagination as linked to the body allows this term for imagination to side-step much of our current philosophical difficulty within contemporary coginitive science regarding the mind-body problem.
Black holes: Crime in search of a crime scene

The destruction of stars by supermassive black holes appears to be rarer than predicted. A candidate stellar disruption in a kind of galaxy that is usually obscured may explain why.
CB1 and CB2 Receptor Pharmacology

The CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors (CB1R, CB2R) are members of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family that were identified over 20 years ago. CB1Rs and CB2Rs mediate the effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the principal psychoactive constituent of marijuana, and subsequently identified endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol. CB1Rs and CB2Rs have both similarities and differences in their pharmacology. Both receptors recognize multiple classes of agonist and antagonist compounds and produce an array of distinct downstream effects. Natural polymorphisms and alternative splice variants may also contribute to their pharmacological diversity. As our knowledge of the distinct differences grows, we may be able to target select receptor conformations and their corresponding pharmacological responses. This chapter will discuss their pharmacological characterization, distribution, phylogeny, and signaling pathways. In addition, the effects of extended agonist exposure and how that affects signaling and expression patterns of the receptors are considered.
Bargaining and Rationalist Explanations for War

The traditional division between crisis bargaining and intrawar bargaining lacks sound theoretical grounds and, therefore, fails to capture the nature of using force in international politics. Instead, I propose to integrate traditional crisis bargaining and intrawar bargaining into a continuous process. The difference between a crisis and a war is captured by their bargaining costs and risks in each round of bargaining. The application of the integrated model demonstrates that with complete information the status quo can be revised even if both states are satisfied.
Paraphrastic Academic Writing: Entry Point for First Generation Advanced Bilingual College Students

The implementation of Reading to Learn (R2L) methodology for first generation college freshmen who are bilingual learners is reviewed. The paper details how this integrated genre-based approach informed by Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) supported students in an advanced English as a Second Language (ESL) course to develop linguistic awareness and writing competencies in genres highly valued in college courses. The paper also addresses the programmatic needs and rights of advanced bilinguals, a vastly understudied and underrepresented population in US colleges and universities.
Forensic Analysis of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxin and Furan Fingerprints to Elucidate Dechlorination Pathways

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and -furans (PCDD/Fs) are persistent organic pollutants whose main removal process in the environment is due to biodegradation, and particularly anaerobic reductive dechlorination. Since PCDD/F congeners that are substituted in the lateral 2, 3, 7, and 8 positions are the most toxic, removal of these chlorines is advantageous, but previous studies have only demonstrated their removal under laboratory conditions. We evaluated a concentration data set of PCDD/F congeners with four or more chlorines along with all 209 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in surface water, treated and untreated wastewater, landfill leachate, and biosolids (NY CARP data set) to determine whether peri and peri/lateral dechlorination of PCDD/Fs occurs in these environments. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) applied to the data set revealed a factor indicative of the microbial dechlorination of PCBs, and this factor also contained a variety of non-2,3,7,8 substituted PCDD/F congeners. These results suggest that dechlorination of PCDD/Fs at the lateral positions is facile if not preferred in these environments. The relative lack of tetra- and penta-chlorinated PCDD/Fs suggested that dechlorination proceeds to PCDD/F congeners with less than four chlorines. The PMF results were confirmed by examining three samples that contained >90% PCB dechlorination products from the Fresh Kills Landfill and the Hudson River. Even without factor analysis, these samples demonstrated almost identical PCDD/F congener patterns. This study suggests that PCDD/Fs are reductively dechlorinated to nontoxic non-2,3,7,8 PCDD/F congeners in sewers and landfills as well as in the sediment of the Upper Hudson River.
Elemental Sulfur Recovery from SO2-Rich Streams

Single-stage catalytic reduction of SO2 to elemental sulfur is a promising new technology better suited to treat SO2-rich streams in power plants than the conventional multi-stage Claus process. SO2-containing streams are produced in IGCC power plants as well as in conventional coal-fired boilers employing regenerative flue gas desulfurization. In this paper we describe the performance of a new highly active and selective catalyst for dilute- or concentrated- SO2 reduction by CO, CH4 or CO+H2 reductants. The catalyst comprises a transition metal oxide as a minor component in a fluorite-type oxide matrix. The properties of this type of composite oxide are illustrated here by the system of copper or nickel metal oxide in cerium oxide or doped cerium oxide. The reaction of SO2 with CO is discussed within the redox framework. Strong synergism for this reaction is displayed by the association of the transition metal with the fluorite-type oxide.
Correlation between morphology change and microwave property during single-cell electroporation

Traditionally, electroporation of biological cells is tracked by fluorescence microscopy with chemical dyes that tend to be slow and invasive. This paper reports, for the first time, electroporation tracked by real-time change in the microwave insertion loss, which is correlated with simultaneous change in cell morphology recorded through an optical microscope. The change in insertion loss was found to be faster and more abrupt than the change in cell morphology, although the latter was still faster than fluorescence microscopy. Although more work is needed to verify whether these changes correspond to a reversible electroporation or not, the present result suggests that real-time microwave characterization can be a faster and less invasive technique for early detection of electroporation. Additionally, although the electroporation is presently performed on Jurkat human lymphoma cells, it is believed that the same technique can be extended to many other types of cells.
Gap analysis: assessing the value perception of consultant pharmacist services and the performance of consultant pharmacists.

Objective To understand the importance of services provided by consultant pharmacists and to assess perception of their performance of services. Design Cross-sectional; nursing facility team. Setting Random e-mail survey of consultant pharmacists; phone survey of team members. Participants 233 consultant pharmacists (practicing in a nursing facility); 540 team members (practicing in a nursing facility, interacting with > or = 1 consultant pharmacist): 120 medical directors, 210 directors of nursing, 210 administrators. Intervention Consultant pharmacists, directors of nursing, medical directors, and administrators rating importance/performance of 21 services. Gap between teams' ratings of importance and consultant pharmacists' performance is assessed to categorize services. Main outcome measure Importance/performance ranked on five-point scale. Mean scores used for gap analysis to cluster services into four categories. Results Per combined group, six services categorized as "Keep It Up" (important, good performance), consensus with individual groups, except discrepancy with medical directors, for one service. Six services each categorized as "Improve" (important, large gap) and "Improve Second" (lower importance, large gap), with varied responses by individual groups. Three different services were categorized into "Don't Worry," with consensus within individual groups. Conclusion Consensus from all groups found 5 of 21 services are important and performed well by consultant pharmacists, indicating to maintain performance of services. For three services, consultant pharmacists do not need to worry about their performance. Thirteen services require improvement in consultant pharmacists' performance; various groups differ on extent of improvement needed. Results can serve as benchmark comparisons with results obtained by consultant pharmacists in their own facilities.
Tailoring the quality factors and nonlinear response in hybrid plasmonic-dielectric metasurfaces

Plasmonic nanoantennas and metamaterials concentrate optical energy into nanometric volumes strongly enhancing the light-matter interaction. This makes them promising platforms for optical sensing, nonlinear effects and quantum optics. However, absorption losses and radiative damping result in broad, low quality factor (Q) resonances of plasmonic systems that significantly limit their performance. Here, we develop a hybrid plasmonic/dielectric metasurface that can simultaneously achieve high Q and large field enhancement values in the near infrared by forming a hybridized mode between the nanoantennas' plasmonic mode and the photonic waveguide mode of Si device layer. The tunability of the modes and quality factors of our platform allows us to study the effect of the geometric parameters on the optical properties of the metasurface. We demonstrate that the strongest near field enhancement and nonlinear signal generation can be achieved by balancing the high Q factors and in-coupling efficiency in hybrid resonators.
A cerebellar role in evidence-guided decision-making

To make successful evidence-based decisions, the brain must rapidly and accurately transform sensory inputs into specific goal-directed behaviors. Most experimental work on this subject has focused on forebrain mechanisms. Here we show that during perceptual decision-making over a period of seconds, decision-, sensory-, and error-related information converge on the lateral posterior cerebellum in crus I, a structure that communicates bidirectionally with numerous forebrain regions. We trained mice on a novel evidence-accumulation task and demonstrated that cerebellar inactivation reduces behavioral accuracy without impairing motor parameters of action. Using two-photon calcium imaging, we found that Purkinje cell somatic activity encoded choice- and evidence-related variables. Decision errors were represented by dendritic calcium spikes, which are known to drive plasticity. We propose that cerebellar circuitry may contribute to the set of distributed computations in the brain that support accurate perceptual decision-making.
New Methods for the Solution of Partial Differential Equations

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the fundamental ideas behind the methods for the solution of partial differential equations. The first set of methods is derived from the theory of dynamic programming; the next is based upon a classical use of an infinite system of ordinary differential equations to treat partial differential equations, along the lines of Lichtenstein, Siddiqi, and others. This brings one into contact with the closure techniques of mathematical physics and with differential approximation. The chapter discusses the use of Laplace transform techniques, followed by the numerical inversion of the Laplace transform. It presents the use of quadrature techniques, which is a method forced upon by the exigencies of invariant imbedding, and the combination of this approach with perturbation expansions.
Suppression of Presymptomatic Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Neurodegeneration by Grape-Derived Polyphenols.

Neurodegenerative disorders constitute a group of multifaceted conditions characterized by the progressive loss of neurons and synaptic connections due to a combination of specific genetic predispositions and stochastic stressors. The neuropathologies observed in both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease are in part attributed to compounding intrinsic and extrinsic environmental stressors, which we propose may be limited by the administration of specific grape derived phytochemicals and their metabolized derivatives, specifically polyphenols isolated from grape botanicals. Current therapies for neurodegenerative disorders are limited as they solely target the final disease pathologies including behavioral changes, cognitive deficits, proteinopathies and neuronal loss; however, this strategy is not a sustainable approach towards managing disease onset or progression. This review discusses the application of grape derived polyphenols as an adjunctive treatment paradigm for the prevention of neuropathologies associated with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy by simultaneously ameliorating two stochastic stressors that facilitate their disease pathologies: inflammation and oxidative stress. The biophysical attributes of grape-derived polyphenols buffer against redox potential dependent peripheral and neuroinflammation and down regulate the activation of inflammasomes in microglia and astrocytes, which could provide a novel mechanism through which grape-derived polyphenols simultaneously suppress risk factors across pathologically distinct neurodegenerative conditions. This paradigm therefore offers a prophylactic mode, not feasible through current pharmacological agents, to target activity dependent risk factors for neurodegenerative disorders that manifest over an individual’s lifetime.
Arc-Jet Testing of a Variable-Transpiration-Cooled and Uncoated Carbon-Carbon Nose Cone

The last decade has witnessed a considerable effort in the development of materials and structures for reusable thermal protection systems with the final goal of enabling long-duration hypersonic f...
Movement and mental health: Behavioral correlates of anxiety and depression among children of 6–17 years old in the U.S.

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine associations between physical activity, screen-time, sleep duration, and their combinations based on 24-h movement guidelines with anxiety and depression among a nationally representative cohort aged 6–17 years in the US. Methods The 2016 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) data from a representative sample of children (n = 15,010) aged 6–11 years and adolescents (n = 20,708) aged 12–17 years were analyzed using logistic regression. This analysis examined parent-reported demographics, lifestyle-related behavioral variables, adverse childhood experiences, and history of anxiety and depression. Results Physical activity participation was associated with anxiety and depression. Children with 0 days/week of physical activity were about twice more likely to have anxiety (Odds ratio (OR) = 2.19), and adolescents were over twice as likely to have anxiety (OR = 2.25) and depression (OR = 2.18), than peers with daily physical activity ≥ 60 min. There was no significant difference in the ORs of anxiety or depression between the children with daily physical activity and those with physical activity ≥60 min on 1–3 days/week or 4–6 days/week. Extracurricular activity participation and sleep duration were also significantly associated with anxiety and depression along with demographic variables such as race and weight status. Conclusion Some physical activity or organized extracurricular activity participation are associated with decreased odds of experiencing anxiety among children and adolescents, and depression among adolescents. Meeting all three 24-h movement guidelines was associated with lower ORs for anxiety for children and adolescents and depression among adolescents.
Adaptive Control of Sclera Force and Insertion Depth for Safe Robot-Assisted Retinal Surgery

One of the significant challenges of moving from manual to robot-assisted retinal surgery is the loss of perception of forces applied to the sclera (sclera forces) by the surgical tools. This damping of force feedback is primarily due to the stiffness and inertia of the robot. The diminished perception of tool-to-eye interactions might put the eye tissue at high risk of injury due to excessive sclera forces or extreme insertion of the tool into the eye. In the present study therefore a 1-dimensional adaptive control method is customized for 3-dimensional control of sclera force components and tool insertion depth and then implemented on the velocity-controlled Johns Hopkins Steady-Hand Eye Robot. The control method enables the robot to perform autonomous motions to make the sclera force and/or insertion depth of the tool tip to follow pre-defined desired and safe trajectories when they exceed safe bounds. A robotic light pipe holding application in retinal surgery is also investigated using the adaptive control method. The implementation results indicate that the adaptive control is able to achieve the imposed safety margins and prevent sclera forces and insertion depth from exceeding safe boundaries.
[Correlation between dietary protein intake and metabolic syndrome in Hubei Province adult residents in 2010-2012].

Objective To explore the correlation between dietary protein intake and metabolic syndrome( MS) among the men and women of Hubei Province. Methods Data were obtained from the 2010-2012 Chinese National Nutrition and Health Survey in Hubei Province. Cross-sectional data on 1827 men and women aged l8 years and above was gathered from 6 monitoring sites by multi-stage stratified and Probability Proportionate to Size( PPS) cluster random sampling method. All subjects took the dietary survey with the 24-hour recall method for 3 consecutive days, medical examination and blood assay. Prevalence of MS was defined under the diagnostic criteria of Joint Interim Statement( JIS2009), and the logistic regression was used to explore the possible relationships between dietary protein intake and MS among 18 years old and above adults, when calculating the OR and its 95% CI of MS. Results After adjusting for covariates, increased risks of MS were related with percentage of energy from protein( OR = 1. 44, 95% CI 1. 19-2. 03) and percentage of protein from animal foods( OR = 1. 16, 95% CI2. 02-2. 08) among men. Meanwhile, no significant correlations were shown betweendietary protein intake and MS among women. Conclusion There are gender differences at the correlation between dietary protein intake and MS. Percentage of energy from protein and percentage of protein from animal foods could possibly be the risk factors of MS among men.
The role of claudin-1 in colorectal cancer

5080 Tight junctions (TJ) play a pivotal role in compartmentalization in multicellular organisms by sealing the paracellular pathway in epithelial and endothelial cell sheets. Disruption/reduction of tight and adherens junctions is a hallmark of tumor invasion and metastasis. Claudins, recently identified multigene family of 24 members function as major cell adhesion molecules at tight junctions. Although expression of previously known TJ proteins such as occludin and ZO-1 have been found to be decreased in cancer supporting loss of cell-cell junction it is intriguing that some claudin family members expression is highly elevated in various human cancers. However, the relationship between claudin overexpression and cancer initiation or progression is not known. Smad4, a critical component of the TGF-β signaling pathway and a tumor suppressor protein, negatively regulates the growth of epithelial cells. Inactivation of Smad4 has been shown to be a late event in colorectal carcinogenesis. In our preliminary studies, using non-transformed RIE cells and normal colon tissue samples, we observed that claudin-1 protein is not expressed. However, it is highly expressed in colon tumor tissues and the expression increases further in the metastatic colon cell lines and tissue samples. Interestingly, in our preliminary studies, we observed an inverse correlation between smad4 and claudin-1 expression. Also in tissue samples, smad4 expression decreased with increase in claudin-1 expression from normal to metastatic tumor samples. Transient overexpression of Smad4 markedly decreased claudin-1 expression in smad4 deficient cells. Consequently we hypothesize that claudin-1 plays a role in the progression of colorectal carcinoma and smad-4 is involved in regulation of claudin-1 in colon cancer.
Histone Deacetylase 11 Knockdown Blocks Larval Development and Metamorphosis in the Red Flour Beetle, Tribolium castaneum

Post-translational modifications (PTM) such as methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination of histones and other proteins regulate expression of genes. The acetylation levels of these proteins are determined by the balance of expression of histone acetyltransferase (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). We recently reported that class I HDACs (HDAC1 and HDAC3) play important roles in juvenile hormone (JH) suppression of metamorphosis in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Here, we report on the function of a single class IV HDAC member, HDAC11. Injection of dsRNA targeting T. castaneum HDAC11 gene into newly molted last instar larvae induced knockdown of the target gene and arrested larval development and prevented metamorphosis into the pupal stage. Dark melanized areas were detected in larvae that showed developmental arrest and mortality. Developmental expression studies showed an increase in HDAC11 mRNA levels beginning at the end of the penultimate larval stage. These higher levels were maintained during the final instar larval and pupal stages. A JH analog, hydroprene, suppressed HDAC11 expression in the larvae. Sequencing of RNA isolated from control and dsHDAC11 injected larvae identified several differentially expressed genes, including those involved in JH action, ecdysone response, and melanization. The acetylation levels of core histones showed an increase in TcA cells exposed to dsHDAC11. Also, an increase in histone H3 acetylation, specifically H3K9, H3K18 and H3K27, were detected in HDAC11 knockdown larvae. These studies report the function of HDAC11 in insects other than Drosophila for the first time and show that HDAC11 influences the acetylation levels of histones and expression of multiple genes involved in T. castaneum larval development.