cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS OF PALAEACANTHOCEPHALA (ACANTHOCEPHALA) INFERRED FROM SSU AND LSU rDNA GENE SEQUENCES

The Palaeacanthocephala is traditionally represented by 2 orders, Echinorhynchida and Polymorphida, with 10 and 3 families, respectively. To test the monophyly of the class, these 2 orders, and certain families, phylogenies were inferred using nuclear small-subunit (SSU) and large-subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA sequences obtained for 29 species representing 10 families, 2 other classes of acanthocephalans, and 3 rotifer outgroups. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred by analyzing combined SSU and LSU sequences using maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. Parsimony and ML trees inferred from combined analysis of these rDNA data strongly supported monophyly of Palaeacanthocephala and provided good resolution among species. Neither Polymorphida nor Echinorhynchida was monophyletic. Gorgorhynchoides bullocki (Echinorhynchida) was nested within the 6 species representing Polymorphida, and this clade was nested within species representing Echinorhynchida. Three of 4 palaeacanthocephalan families that could be evaluated were not monophyletic, and this finding was strongly supported. These results indicate that the family level classification of palaeacanthocephalans, which is mainly based on combinations of shared characters (not shared derived characters), needs to be reevaluated with respect to comprehensively sampled phylogenetic hypotheses.
Symbolic execution of data paths

We present a data-path model which concisely captures the path constraints imposed by a data-path, such as bus hazards, register constraints, and control encoding limitations. A process for expressing arbitrary datapaths in terms of this model's base components and techniques for systematic translation into Boolean functions are described. Finally, this model is expanded to represent the limitations of generating as well as moving operands by incorporating dataflow graphs. The power of this representation is demonstrated by applying the path-constrained model to scheduling on a commercial DSP microprocessor.
A real-time high-throughput fluorescence assay for sphingosine kinases

Sphingosine kinases (SphKs), of which there are two isoforms, SphK1 and SphK2, have been implicated in regulation of many important cellular processes. We have developed an assay for monitoring SphK1 and SphK2 activity in real time without the need for organic partitioning of products, radioactive materials, or specialized equipment. The assay conveniently follows SphK-dependent changes in 7-nitro-2-1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl (NBD)-labeled sphingosine (Sph) fluorescence and can be easily performed in 384-well plate format with small reaction volumes. We present data showing dose-proportional responses to enzyme, substrate, and inhibitor concentrations. The SphK1 and SphK2 binding affinities for NBD-Sph and the IC50 values of inhibitors determined were consistent with those reported with other methods. Because of the versatility and simplicity of the assay, it should facilitate the routine characterization of inhibitors and SphK mutants and can be readily used for compound library screening in high-throughput format.
Exploring the Old Town School of Folk Music’s Beck Song Reader Ensemble An Interview With Nathaniel Braddock

This column presents an interview with Nathaniel Braddock, who created and teaches an ensemble devoted to Beck’s Song Reader at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, Illinois. Song Reader is a collection of 20 compositions published as sheet music for musicians to record and release, with over 17,000 versions currently posted on YouTube alone. An introduction explains the Song Reader project and discusses how several aspects of the ensemble may appeal to music educators. The interview covers Braddock’s pedagogic techniques and conceptual approaches, providing teachers with strategies for successfully pursuing the inclusion of Song Reader or similar projects.
Roger Biles 2011: The Fate of Cities: Urban America and the Federal Government, 1945–2000. Lawrence, Kansas: University Press of Kansas. Chester Hartman and Gregory D. Squires (eds.) 2010: The Integration Debate: Competing Futures for American Cities. New York: Routledge.

The article reviews the books "The Fate of Cities: Urban America and the Federal Government, 1945-2000," by Roger Biles, and "The Integration Debate: Competing Futures for American Cities," edited by Chester Hartman and Gregory D. Squires.
The cause and prevention of human birth defects: What have we learned in the past 50 years?

This review article dealig with the subject of “The Cause and Prevention of Human Birth Defects” was prepared in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Japanese Teratology Society. It begins with recollections of some of the important contributions of Japanese scientists in the fields of teratology and embryology and a summary of the many scientific and medical accomplishments of the past 50 years in the fields of teratology, genetics, developmental biology, epidemiology and genetics. The review includes a summary of the drugs, chemicals and physical agents that have been documented to result in congenital malformations and reproductive effects when pregnant women are exposed during pregnancy. The principles of teratology were also summarized and emphasize that 1) no teratogenic agent can be described qualitatively as a teratogen, since a teratogenic exposure must include not only the agent, but also the dose and the time in pregnancy when the exposure occurs. 2) Even agents that have been demonstrated to result in malformatins cannot produce every type of malformation. 3) Known teratogens can be presumptively identified by the spectrum of malformations they produce. 4) It is easier to exclude an agent as a cause of birth defects than to definitively conclude that it was responsible for birth defects. 5) When evaluating the risk of exposures, the dose is a crucial component in determining the risk. 6) Teratogenic agents follow a toxicological dose response curve. This means that each teratogen has a threshold dose, below which, there is no risk of teratogenensis, no matter when in pregnancy the exposure occurred. 7) The evaluation of a child with congenital malformations connot be adequately performed unless it is approached with the same scholarship and detail, as is any other complicated medical problem. 8) Each physician must recognize the consequences of providing erroneous reproductive risks to pregnant women exposed to drugs and chemicals during pregnancy or alleging that a child's malformations are due to an environmental agent without performing a complete and scholarly evaluation.
High-speed quantitative phase imaging of dynamic thermal deformation in laser irradiated films

We present a technique for high-speed imaging of the dynamic thermal deformation of transparent substrates under high-power laser irradiation. Traditional thermal sensor arrays are not fast enough to capture thermal decay events. Our system adapts a Mach-Zender interferometer, along with a high-speed camera to capture phase images on sub-millisecond time-scales. These phase images are related to temperature by thermal expansion effects and by the change of refractive index with temperature. High power continuous-wave and long-pulse laser damage often hinges on thermal phenomena rather than the field-induced effects of ultra-short pulse lasers. Our system was able to measure such phenomena. We were able to record 2D videos of 1 ms thermal deformation waves, with 6 frames per wave, from a 100 ns, 10 mJ Q-switched Nd:YAG laser incident on a yttria-coated glass slide. We recorded thermal deformation waves with peak temperatures on the order of 100 degrees Celsius during non-destructive testing.
The Fundamental Group and Covering Spaces

We first have the basic: If p: Y→X is a covering, and p(y)= x, then the induced homomorphism p*:π1(Y,y)→π1 (X,x) is an injection.
Purines and Regulation of Platelet Activation

Purines play key roles in platelet physiological regulatory processes (1–3). Human platelets in comparison with human erythrocytes and leukocytes, contain greater concentrations of adenine nucleotides (4,5), which are distributed between the metabolic and storage pools (5–10). During the induction of platelet aggregation by an agent such as thrombin or collagen, the storage pool nucleotides (principally ADP) as well as other vasoactive agents of the storage granules (e.g. serotonin, Ca2+) are released into the plasma (11,12). Platelet aggregation is strongly inhibited by other adenine nucleotides, adenosine 5′-tetraphosphate (AP4) (13,14), ATP (13–15), AMP (13,14,16,17), and adenosine (18–20). Adenosine is continuously produced in the body by many tissues including the vascular endothelium (21), brain, heart (22) and platelets (23). However, only low amounts of adenosine (100 to 300 nM) (23,24) are seen in human plasma due to its rapid cellular uptake and metabolism primarily by adenosine deaminase and adenosine kinase (25,26). Recent studies have shown that even these low plasma adenosine levels contribute greatly in the physiological regulatory process of platelet function (23,27,28). In addition, plasma adenosine plays an important role in the antiplatelet activity of cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors (29), forskolin (30), and nitric oxide [Maddali and Agarwal, unpublished results]. Theophylline and caffeine, which act as adenosine receptor antagonists, produce stimulation of platelet aggregation in human PRP with adenosine (27,28).
Doing My Part to Save the Global Commons? Environmental Awareness and Voluntary Fuel Economization in Gasoline Markets

Information about collectively-created problems, such as air pollution, may elicit voluntary changes to consumer behavior that at least partially offset the cause of the problem. We show that increases in information about climate change are associated with statistically and economically significant decreases in expenditure on gasoline, controlling for gasoline prices and income. We simultaneously provide updated estimates of the short run price and income elasticities of demand for gasoline in the US, utilizing recent weekly gasoline consumption and price data and spatially-delineated supply side disruptions due to hurricanes as an instrument for price.
Multidisciplinary treatment of T1a adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus: contemporary comparison of endoscopic and surgical treatment in physiologically fit patients.

Previous reports comparing endoscopic therapy (ET) and surgical therapy (ST) have predominantly assessed patients with high-grade dysplasia. The study aim was to compare ET to ST in physiologically fit patients with cT1a adenocarcinoma (EAC). Review of two prospective databases yielded 100 patients presenting with clinical cT1a EAC between 2000 and 2013. Only physiologically fit patients who were candidates for either treatment were analyzed. Presenting patient characteristics were similar between ET (n = 36) and ST groups (n = 49). Surgical patients were less likely to be staged with EMR (43 vs 100 %) and were associated with mass lesions >1 cm at EGD (p = 0.01), multifocal EAC (p = 0.03), and positive margins for EAC on EMR (p < 0.05). On multivariate analysis, only multifocal HGD was an independent factor for surgery. Following esophagectomy, R0 resection rates for Barrett’s esophagus and cancer were 100 %. Incidence of surgery decreased over the study period from 85 to 25 %. All ET patients had EMR, and 28 patients underwent additional ablative therapies for Barrett’s esophagus. Following ET, eradication rates of EAC, dysplasia, and BE were 92, 81, and 53 %, respectively. Morbidity rates were comparable between groups (ST 51 % vs ET 39 %, p = 0.31). In-hospital mortality rate was zero in each group. Recurrence rates in ST and ET group were 2 and 11 % (p = 0.08). In the ET group, two patients with endoluminal cancer recurrence after complete eradication underwent esophagectomy. Age-adjusted overall survival was comparable. In high-volume esophageal centers, ST and ET provide equally safe and effective treatment for cT1a EAC in medically fit patients. While the results of this study provide a historical perspective and clearly demonstrate an evolution toward ET over time, the appropriate treatment modality is best selected in a multidisciplinary fashion with EMR providing the most accurate staging. In endoscopically treated patients, indefinite endoscopic follow-up required, however, standardized long-term follow-up protocols are needed.
A Flail Machine for Destroying Fallen Cotton Squares Infested with Boll Weevils

During the 1965 growing season, a flail machine was used in 4 cotton fields to destroy fallen cotton squares infested with boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis Boheman. Treatments were begun before 1st-generation boll weevils emerged and were continued each week until the treatments began to damage the mature fruit on the plants. Two fields contained a relatively low overwintered population of weevils (46 weevils per acre), and 2 contained a moderately high overwintered population (82 weevils per acre). Results in the 4 fields were compared with those in 2 fields with an overwintered population of 98 weevils per acre that was treated with insecticide. The test indicated that the boll weevil can be controlled by destroying an average 88.8% of the fallen squares, provided that movement into the fields is negligible. Adult populations in fields treated with the flail machine remained stable throughout the treatment and they were slightly higher than in the fields treated with insecticide. The number of egg-punctured squares per acre was higher in the fields treated with the flail machine, but in only 1 field did the percentage of egg-punctured squares exceed the 10% damage level recommended for beginning the application of insecticide. After flail treatments were terminated, 2 to 4 insecticide treatments were necessary to provide complete crop protection.
Anomalous Coronary Arteries: Analysis of Clinical Outcome Based Upon Arterial Course and Surgical Intervention in an Adult Population.

Rationale and Objectives The study aimed to evaluate the association of a coronary interarterial course (IAC) with adverse outcomes in adults and to assess the benefit of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in this population. Materials and Methods A retrospective review identified 172 adults over 40 years of age with an anomalous coronary artery origin from the opposite coronary sinus, including 79 patients with an IAC. Hard outcomes (myocardial infarction or cardiac death) and soft outcomes (persistent angina) were evaluated, with a mean follow-up time of 5 years. Results Although the frequency of coronary artery disease (CAD) was lower among patients with an IAC (43% vs 59%; P P = 0.15). Hard outcomes were equally frequent among IAC patients (12/79 = 15%) compared to those without an IAC (16/93 = 17%) ( P = 0.7), and among patients with a right IAC (11/68 = 16%) compared to those with a left IAC (1/11 = 9%) ( P = 0.56). Among patients with an IAC, the frequency of hard outcomes was similar with CABG (4/21 = 19%) versus without CABG (8/59 = 14%) ( P = 0.55); the frequency of soft events was also similar with CABG (9/21 = 43%) versus without CABG (18/59 = 31%) ( P = 0.3). On multivariate analysis, the extent of coronary disease was the only significant predictor of hard or soft outcome (the presence of IAC, CABG, and left vs right IAC were not significant; P > 0.3). Conclusions The frequency of hard and soft outcomes among adult patients with anomalous coronary arteries is not significantly related to the presence of an IAC. No benefit was documented from the CABG treatment of an IAC in the absence of CAD.
Semiotic Communication Research on the Logo of 2012 London Olympic Games

The logo of 2012 London Olympiad is perhaps one of the most controversial one in the Olympic history.As an iconic sign,its abstract design directly headed to diversity of the meaning,hence became an"open text".The research uses methodology of abduction,usually utilized in semiotic research,poses several hypotheses,and made proofs against hypotheses.Besides,the research combines with actual communicational affects,attempts to make semiotic reading on para-text,archi-text,pre-text,meta-text,link-text and ensuing text of the logo of 2012 London Olympic Games.The research includes that the logo of 2012 London Olympic Games made a balance between the traditions and modernism,possessed a typical iconic style.The polysemy and vagueness of the logo perhaps fit the mass,was the dominant factor of achieving better communicational effects.
Amino acid requirements of adults.

Fortification of natural foods with amino acids to make them “adequate” in protein has been proposed in a number of quarters. Is such a procedure warranted in view of research findings on the requirements and recommended “safe” intakes of the various amino acids? Here is a review of current knowledge of the essential amino acid requirements of adult men and women.
Urethral diverticulectomy and pubovaginal sling for simultaneous treatment of urethral diverticulum and intrinsic sphincter deficiency

The purpose of this article is to determine the efficacy and safety of simultaneous urethral diverticulectomy and placement of a pubovaginal sling in patients with concomitant urethral diverticula and intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD). Sixteen women (mean age of 53 years) underwent simultaneous urethral diverticulectomy and pubovaginal sling. ISD was determined by fluorourodynamic evaluation and Valsalva leak point pressures. Treatment outcome was determined by resolution of the diverticula and change in individual incontinence grades before and after surgical repair. All 16 who underwent urethral diverticulectomy had symptomatic resolution at a mean follow-up of 25 months. Fourteen of 16 patients (88%) had no physical or radiologic evidence of residual or recurrent diverticula, while 2 of 16 (12%) had small, stable residual diverticula. All 16 patients reported significant improvement in incontinence status after placement of the pubovaginal sling, with 14 of 16 (88%) cured and 2 of 16 (12%) significantly improved. Five of 16 (31%) had mixed incontinence preoperatively: 2 of 5 had resolution of detrusor instability (DI) after surgery, 3 of 5 had persistent DI. De novo DI developed in two patients. No patient had erosion of the sling despite its close proximity to the urethral mucosal suture line. The average time to complete bladder emptying was approximately 5 weeks, and no patient developed permanent urinary retention. Simultaneous pubovaginal sling and urethral diverticulectomy can be performed safely without increased risk to the urethral reconstruction, yet with excellent continence rates.
"I Love These Girls--I Was These Girls": Women Leading for Social Justice in a Single-Sex Public School.

The purpose of this article is to share the findings from a 2-year ethnography that examined female practitioners’ experiences in the field. The article describes the intentions, discourses, action...
A six-year epidemiologic review of Pneumonia in Department of Veterans Affairs facilities

Objective: Pneumonia and acute lower respiratory infections are a major problem in the United States and worldwide. As one of the largest health care organizations in the United States, the Department of Veterans Affairs is an ideal location for an epidemiologic review of pneumonia over an extended period of time. Methods: Data for this study were retrieved from the Department of Veterans Affairs Austin Automation Center, the central repository for patient data in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). In addition, specific data regarding penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in VHA facilities were obtained from an annual electronic nationwide census. Results: The case rate of pneumonias as a discharge diagnosis increased during the 6-year period. For the diagnosis group of bronchopneumonia and pneumonia with organism unspecified, the largest subset examined, total numbers and rates for this specific diagnosis increased during the study period. When fiscal year (FY)91 and FY96 were compared, rates increased for three diagnoses: overall pneumonia, pneumonia in infectious diseases classified elsewhere, and pneumococcal pneumonia. Decreases in rates occurred between FY91 and FY96 for pneumonia caused by other specified organisms and other bacterial pneumonia. The total number of discharges from VHA facilities decreased during the 6-year period. Conclusions: The numbers of episodes of bronchopneumonia and pneumonia with organism unspecified, the largest pneumonia subset, increased during the 6-year period to greater than 27,000 cases. As the number of total discharges from the VHA decreased, the combination of increasing actual numbers and decreasing discharges yielded increased rates for overall pneumonia and certain subsets. These data should be useful in developing aggressive preventive strategies.
The 1998 ISEA Wesolowski Award lecture. Exposure analysis: reflections on its growth and aspirations for its future. International Society of Exposure Analysis.

The 1998 ISEA Wesolowski Award Lecture Exposure analysis: reflections on its growth and aspirations for its future †
Mirror designs for low-voltage vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy

Innovations in the design and growth of distributed Bragg reflectors or mirrors for vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) has substantially reduced the voltage drops in these devices, leading to improved performance,1,2 However, further progress is required to make VCSELs more competitive with conventional edge- emitting lasers, especially as quantified by power conversion efficiency. For all epitaxial VCSELs that rely on current paths through the mirrors to improve, mirrors must be developed that simultaneously minimize electrical and thermal resistance, as well as absorption losses. We have examined five continuously graded mirror designs in this context and incorporated one design into low voltage VCSELs grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE).
Changes in Hepatocyte Ploidy During Liver Regeneration

Abstract It is known for over a 100 years that liver exhibits substantial polyploidy. The frequency of polyploid hepatocytes varies by age and species, but up to 90% of mouse hepatocytes and approximately 50% of human hepatocytes are polyploid. Significant alterations in the entire complement of chromosomes, and chromosome copy number variations are known to occur in the hepatocytes. Aneuploidy in the liver is ubiquitous, affecting 60% of hepatocytes in mice and 30-90% of hepatocytes in humans. Polyploidy and aneuploidy in the liver are closely linked, and the recently described ploidy conveyor model explains this relationship. Failed cytokinesis in diploid hepatocytes is the primary mechanism that gives rise to polyploid cells. Proliferating polyploid hepatocytes, which form multipolar spindles during cell division, generates reduced ploidy progeny and/or aneuploid daughters. Future work is required to elucidate the mechanisms regulating dynamic chromosome changes in the liver and to understand how these processes impact normal and abnormal liver functions.
Hedgehog signaling in gastric physiology and cancer

The Hedgehog family of ligands was originally identified in mutagenesis screens of Drosophila embryos. Hedgehog signaling in multiple tissues is important during embryonic development. A common theme regarding Hedgehog expression in adult tissues is that tissue injury reactivates the developmental pattern of expression. In most instances, this appears to be important to initiate tissue repair. In the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where epithelial cells are constantly replenished from progenitor populations, Hedgehog signaling also appears to be essential for regeneration. By contrast, reactivated Hedgehog signaling in adult tissues does not automatically predispose the tissue to transformation, but instead requires sustained tissue injury in the form of chronic inflammation. In this chapter, we review what is known about Hedgehog ligands and signaling during development of relevant organs, and discuss how the patterns of Hedgehog regulation are recapitulated in the GI tract during embryogenesis, adult homeostasis, and neoplastic transformation.
A Thioacetal Photocage Designed for Dual Release: Application in the Quantitation of Therapeutic Release by Synchronous Reporter Decaging

Despite the immense potential of existing photocaging technology, its application is limited by the paucity of advanced caging tools. Here, we report on the design of a novel thioacetal ortho-nitrobenzaldehyde (TNB) dual arm photocage that enabled control of the simultaneous release of two payloads linked to a single TNB unit. By using this cage, which was prepared in a single step from commercial 6-nitroverataldehyde, three drug-fluorophore conjugates were synthesized: Taxol-TNB-fluorescein, Taxol-TNB-coumarin, and doxorubicin-TNB-coumarin, and long-wavelength UVA light-triggered release experiments demonstrated that dual payload release occurred with rapid decay kinetics for each conjugate. In cell-based assays performed in vitro, dual release could also be controlled by UV exposure, resulting in increased cellular fluorescence and cytotoxicity with potency equal to that of unmodified drug towards the KB carcinoma cell line. The extent of such dual release was quantifiable by reporter fluorescence measured in situ and was found to correlate with the extent of cytotoxicity. Thus, this novel dual arm cage strategy provides a valuable tool that enables both active control and real-time monitoring of drug activation at the delivery site.
Growth hormone releasing hormone and somatostatin in the physiology and pathophysiology of growth hormone secretion

The regulation of growth hormone (GH) secretion involves a complex neuro-endocrine control system that includes the participation of neurotransmitters and feedback by hormonal and metabolic substrates. The final common integrative pathway for these signals consists of two neuropeptides, which are hypophysiotropic hormones: GH-releasing hormone (GRH), a 40–44-residue peptide which exerts stimulatory effects on GH secretion, and somatostatin (SRIF), a tetradecapeptide which exhibits an inhibitory influence. Although other hypothalamic neuropeptides and monoamines can be demonstrated to exert effects on GH secretion when injected or added to somatotrophs in vitro, there is as yet no convincing evidence for their direct effects on the pituitary under physiologic conditions. They may, however, exert important indirect effects on the regulation of GH secretion by modifying the secretion of GRH and SRIF. Similarly, GRH and SRIF participate in the regulation of GH secretion by neurotransmitter effects within the central nervous system (CNS) on one another or by autocrine effects on their own secretion via ultrashort loot) feedback mechanisms.
Toward New Applications of the Adjoint Sensitivity Tools in Data Assimilation

Novel applications of the adjoint-based sensitivity tools are investigated to obtain a priori guidance on the forecast impact of modeling correlated observational errors in a four-dimensional variational data assimilation system (4D-Var DAS) . A synergistic framework is considered that combines a posteriori estimates to the observation error covariance (R) and derivative information extracted from the adjoint-DAS forecast error R-sensitivity (FSR ). It is explained that the FSR approach allows the analysis of structured error correlation models and estimation of their potential impact on reducing the forecast errors. Theoretical aspects are discussed and a proof-of-concept is provided with Lorenz’s 40-variable model. The practical ability to exercise these new adjoint capabilities is shown in experiments performed with the Naval Research Laboratory Atmospheric Variational Data Assimilation System-Accelerated Representer (NAVDAS-AR) and the Navy’s Global Environmental Model (NAVGEM). In particular, the FSR analysis of radiances assimilated from the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) indicates that modeling inter-channel observation error correlations may provide an increased benefit to the forecasts, as compared with tuning procedures that ignore the error correlations and only adjust the assigned observation error variance parameters.
Pathogen Competition and Coexistence and the Evolution of Virulence

Competition between different strains of a micro-parasite which provide complete cross-protection and cross-immunity against each other selects for maximal basic replacement ratio if, in the absence of the disease, the host population is exclusively limited in its growth by a nonlinear population birth rate. For mass action incidence, the principle of R0 maximization can be extended to exponentially growing populations, if the exponential growth rate is small enough that the disease can limit population growth. For standard incidence, though not in full extent, it can be extended to populations which, without the disease, either grow exponentially or are growth-limited by a nonlinear population death rate, provided that disease prevalence is low and there is no immunity to the disease. If disease prevalence is high, strain competition rather selects for low disease fatality. A strain which would go extinct on its own can coexist with a more virulent strain by protecting from it, if it has strong vertical transmission.
Response to We’re All In This Together

To the Editor: My thanks to Erica Wilson for her response to my commentary, “The Selfie Generation and Pharmacy Education.” In my commentary, I suggest that pharmacy education has provided students with ample opportunities to understand their “self” through solitary activities such as
One of the Family: An Exploratory 3rd Person Branching Narrative for Virtual Reality

"One of the Family" is a 10-minute branching narrative experience for the HTC Vive, which was created to explore the potential for third-person player perspective in Virtual Reality. We endeavored to transfer the successes of this removed perspective, where the player is not assigned a character role, while still maintaining the complete immersion that makes virtual reality a unique medium for storytelling. Guests are asked to step into a film noir story, where two characters are in a safe house trying to get away from the police after a failed bank heist. Using a myriad of techniques from games, film, and theater, "One of the Family" demonstrates that third-person can and should be pursued as a method of telling interactive dramas in virtual reality.
Web-based educational resources for low literacy families in the NICU.

Web-based educational resources for families in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with low health literacy were developed and implemented as prototype web pages using Macromedia Dreamweaver MX. The user interface was designed for a touch-screen platform with voice-recorded messages to incorporate parents’ varying literacy levels and computer experience. Cognitive load theory was used to guide the organization and presentation of information. The text was translated to a 6th grade reading level by Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, MS Word.
Functional and Structural Interrelationships among the Mac-1, LFA-1 Family of Leukocyte Adhesion Glycoproteins, and their Deficiency in a Novel Heritable Disease

Cell surface adherence reactions are of central importance in the immune functions of lymphocytes, monocytes, and granulocytes. Lymphocytes adhere to antigen-presenting macrophages or dendritic cells in the induction of T-lym-phocyte immune responses, and to target cells in cell-mediated killing. Adhesive interactions are fundamental to a wide sprectrum of functions of granulocytes, monocytes, and macrophages. Specific recognition of opsonized microorganisms is facilitated by membrane receptors for IgG and for the third component of complement (C3), which mediate microbe-cell adhesion prior to the triggering of cytoskeletal events leading to endocytosis. Adhesion mediated by IgG (Fc) receptors can also trigger antibody-dependent killing of target cells, independently of endocytosis. In the absence of opsonins, some microorganisms/particles may adhere to granulocytes/monocytes without undergoing ingestion or may be phagocytized inefficiently, depending on the physical properties of the microorganisms.1
Birth Cohort Studies Assessing Norovirus Infection and Immunity in Young Children: A Review

Globally, noroviruses are among the foremost causes of acute diarrheal disease, yet there are many unanswered questions on norovirus immunity, particularly following natural infection in young children during the first 2 years of life when the disease burden is highest. We conducted a literature review on birth cohort studies assessing norovirus infections in children from birth to early childhood. Data on infection, immunity, and risk factors are summarized from 10 community-based birth cohort studies conducted in low- and middle-income countries. Up to 90% of children experienced atleast one norovirus infection and up to 70% experienced norovirus-associated diarrhea, most often affecting children 6 months of age and older. Data from these studies help to fill critical knowledge gaps for vaccine development, yet study design and methodological differences limit comparison between studies, particularly for immunity and risk factors for disease. Considerations for conducting future birth cohort studies on norovirus are discussed.
(Invited) Understanding Downstream Risk from Lithium-Ion Battery Thermal Runaway & Designing for Safety

With continued advances in battery technologies, batteries have become one of the leading solutions for not only portable power applications but also energy storage applications. Because of the high energy density in advanced batteries, one key safety goal is preventing the unintended release of stored energy. A catastrophic failure of a battery pack can occur if one or more cells in the battery pack undergo a thermal runaway event that results in a rapid release of the stored energy in the battery. Thermal runaway can lead to a release of flammable gases and heat, which can potentially result in fire and explosions. The design of effective thermal management systems or fire mitigation systems requires proper quantification of the thermal failure characteristics. This presentation will detail several research activities that have been developed to analyze and quantify thermal safety aspects of batteries, as well as to identify/quantify potential toxicology hazards. This process involves real-time gas analysis from lithium-ion battery failure events, as well as post-failure composition analysis and identification of gas combustion properties. The implications of this work toward designing for safety and integration into risk analyses will be discussed.
Serum Alpha-2-Macroglobulin as an intrinsic radioprotective factor in patients undergoing thoracic radiation therapy

ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M), a suspected intrinsic radioprotectant, on radiation pneumonitis and esophagitis. Additionally, we establish multifactorial predictive models for pneumonitis and esophagitis.nnMaterials/MethodsBaseline A2M levels were obtained for 258 patients prior to thoracic radiotherapy (RT). Dose-volume characteristics were extracted from treatment plans. Spearmans correlation (Rs) test was used to correlate A2M levels, smoking status and dosimetric variables with toxicities. Esophagitis and pneumonitis prediction models were built using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression on 1000 bootstrapped datasets. Models were built using 2/3 of the data for training and 1/3 for validation.nnResultsThere were 36 (14.0%) patients with grade [≥]2 pneumonitis and 61 (23.6%) with grade [≥]2 esophagitis. The median A2M level was 191 mg/dL (range: 94-511). Never/former/current smoker status was 47 (18.2%)/179 (69.4%)/32 (12.4%). We found a significant correlation between baseline A2M levels and esophagitis (Rs=-0.18/p=0.003) and between A2M and smoking status (former or current) (Rs=0.13/p=0.04) but not between A2M and pneumonitis. On univariate analysis, significant parameters for grade [≥]2 esophagitis included number of fractions (Rs=0.47/p 0.5 (p<0.0001). For pneumonitis, significant clinical parameters were treatment days (Rs=0.24/p=0.0001), chemotherapy use (Rs=0.22/p=0.0004), number of fractions (Rs=0.21/p=0.0007), dose per fraction (Rs=-0.18/p=0.0035), and total dose (Rs=0.15/p=0.013). The most significant dosimetric variable in lung and heart was D70 (Rs=0.28/p<0.0001) and max dose (Rs=0.27/p<0.0001), respectively. LASSO bootstrap logistic regression models on the validation data resulted in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.84 and 0.75 for esophagitis and pneumonitis, respectively.nnConclusionOur findings show an association of higher A2M values with lower risk of radiation esophagitis and smoking status. Multivariate predictive models also confirmed a role of heart dose in the risk of pneumonitis.
Simulation and the Monte Carlo Method (3rd ed.)

This book presents an extensive discussion on the simulation and Monte Carlo method. Each chapter covers a large number of topics on Monte Carlo simulation along with computer algorithms and a good...
Serum Ferritin in the Pediatric Sleep Clinic: What's Normal Anyway?

Citation:Ingram DG, Al-Shawwa B. Serum ferritin in the pediatric sleep clinic: what’s normal anyway? J Clin Sleep Med. 2019;15(11):1699–1700.
Glucocorticoids rapidly activate cAMP production via Gαs to initiate non-genomic signaling that contributes to one-third of their canonical genomic effects.

Glucocorticoids are widely used for the suppression of inflammation, but evidence is growing that they can have rapid, non-genomic actions that have been unappreciated. Diverse cell signaling effects have been reported for glucocorticoids, leading us to hypothesize that glucocorticoids alone can swiftly increase the 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production. We found that prednisone, fluticasone, budesonide, and progesterone each increased cAMP levels within 3 minutes without phosphodiesterase inhibitors by measuring real-time cAMP dynamics using the cAMP difference detector in situ assay in a variety of immortalized cell lines and primary human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells. A membrane- impermeable glucocorticoid showed similarly rapid stimulation of cAMP, implying that responses are initiated at the cell surface. siRNA knockdown of Gαs virtually eliminated glucocorticoid-stimulated cAMP responses, suggesting that these drugs activate the cAMP production via a G protein-coupled receptor. Estradiol had small effects on cAMP levels but G protein estrogen receptor antagonists had little effect on responses to any of the glucocorticoids tested. The genomic and non-genomic actions of budesonide were analyzed by RNA-Seq analysis of 24 hours treated HASM, with and without knockdown of Gαs . A 140-gene budesonide signature was identified, of which 48 genes represent a non-genomic signature that requires Gαs signaling. Collectively, this non-genomic cAMP signaling modality contributes to one-third of the gene expression changes induced by glucocorticoid treatment and shifts the view of how this important class of drugs exerts its effects.
Training Psychiatrists to Achieve Mental Health Equity

This article highlights the history of the psychiatric training practices that have contributed to inequity in mental health service delivery, particularly to underserved populations. It discusses current training practices that may be effective at reducing such disparities, suggests policy recommendations to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in health services, and makes recommendations for the further development and implementation of training practices that address health inequity. The article reviews issues in both general psychiatry and child/adolescent training in addition to lifelong learning needs.
Coordination Networks among Local Human Service Organizations: Insights into Super-Connectors and Barriers

This article examines service coordination patterns across various service areas in Albany, the capital city of the New York State. Based on 42 in-person interviews with executive directors at vari...
Models of Workforce Housing Affordability Over Time

California is facing a housing crisis. One group that has been highly affected has been the workforce of moderate-income citizens who often have to contribute over 30% of their income towards housing expenses. To answer the question of how best affordable ownership housing programs can serve this group, I analyzed four different models of affordable housing compared to market rate ownership and rental models in the City of Davis. This included Dos Pinos (limited equity housing cooperative), Aggie Village (limited appreciation land trust model), Southfield Park (limited appreciation condo), and the City of Davis Affordable Ownership Housing Program (limited appreciation single family homes). I compared the level of affordability for each model from the year the model was first implemented in Davis, to their status in 2019. I found that while each model of affordable ownership housing was less expensive than the comparable market rate option, certain models were more effective at producing affordable prices as well as increasing affordability over time. These differences should be recognized, and the most effective models should be implemented in future plans for creating affordable workforce housing.
Archaeal DNA Repair Mechanisms

Archaea often thrive in environmental extremes, enduring levels of heat, pressure, salinity, pH, and radiation that prove intolerable to most life. Many environmental extremes raise the propensity for DNA damaging events and thus, impact DNA stability, placing greater reliance on molecular mechanisms that recognize DNA damage and initiate accurate repair. Archaea can presumably prosper in harsh and DNA-damaging environments in part due to robust DNA repair pathways but surprisingly, no DNA repair pathways unique to Archaea have been described. Here, we review the most recent advances in our understanding of archaeal DNA repair. We summarize DNA damage types and their consequences, their recognition by host enzymes, and how the collective activities of many DNA repair pathways maintain archaeal genomic integrity.
Improving Outcomes of Underrepresented College Students Through Community-Engaged Employment

Although volunteer community engagement has been recognized as promoting positive academic outcomes among college students, such experiences can be impractical for underrepresented students who often need to work. Community-engaged employment offers paid opportunities for students to earn money while participating in meaningful community initiatives. In this study, we explored the impact of community-engaged employment on the academic outcomes of underrepresented students. We created a comparison group using propensity score matching, which reduced selection bias and group differences on background characteristics, thus strengthening causal arguments. Results showed that underrepresented students who were employed in a community-engaged work program had significantly higher second-year retention rates, graduation rates, grade point averages, and number of credits completed compared to similar students not employed in the program. These findings indicate that community-engaged employment can provide positive academic outcomes similar to volunteer community engagement experiences, while also addressing financial barriers that many underrepresented students encounter. ____ A pesar de que se reconoce que la participacion comunitaria voluntaria promueve resultados academicos positivos entre los estudiantes universitarios, estas experiencias pueden resultar no muy practicas para los estudiantes infrarrepresentados, quienes a menudo necesitan trabajar. Los empleos comprometidos con la comunidad ofrecen oportunidades pagadas para que los estudiantes ganen dinero al mismo tiempo que participan en iniciativas comunitarias significativas. En este estudio, exploramos el impacto que tienen los empleos comprometidos con la comunidad en los resultados academicos de estudiantes infrarrepresentados. Para ello, creamos un grupo de comparacion utilizando el pareamiento por puntaje de propension (‘propensity score matching’ o ‘PSM’ en ingles), lo que redujo el sesgo de seleccion y las diferencias de grupo basadas en el entorno social, fortaleciendo asi los argumentos causales. Al comparar los resultados academicos de estudiantes infrarrepresentados empleados en programas de participacion comunitaria con estudiantes similares no empleados en dichos programas, observamos que tanto la tasa de retencion en el segundo ano de estudios, como la tasa de graduacion, los promedios de calificaciones y el numero de creditos completados fueron significativamente mas altos en los primeros. Estos hallazgos indican que el empleo comprometido con la comunidad puede proporcionar resultados academicos positivos similares a las experiencias de participacion comunitaria voluntaria, al tiempo que ofrece una solucion a las barreras financieras que enfrentan muchos estudiantes infrarrepresentados.
Secondary Scleral Fixation of 3-Piece Intraocular Lens Using 27-Gauge Vitrectomy Trocars

Thorough preoperative evaluation should be performed including reason for aphakia (i.e., dislocation of crystalline lens or intraocular lens, primary aphakia after complex cataract extraction, or otherwise). The patient should then undergo a thorough informed consent process including the need for vitrectomy with off-label secondary lens fixation and the risks involved with vitrectomy-based surgery. Preoperative considerations include location and status of any main corneal wounds if recent cataract surgery (presence of suture), hyaloid status, presence of dislocated crystalline or intraocular lens, and type of intraocular lens if present (3-piece which could be rescued versus 1-piece requiring removal). Technique first described by Jonathon Wolfe. There are many approaches to similar sutureless scleral fixation of a 3-piece intraocular lens, and this segment delineates our typical approach.
The Contribution of Static and Dynamic Factors to Recidivism Prediction for Black and White Youth Offenders

Scholars have presented concerns about potential for racial bias in risk assessments as a result of the inclusion of static factors, such as criminal history in risk assessments. The purpose of thi...
Network-based Active Defense for Securing Cloud-based Healthcare Data Processing Pipelines

Active defense schemes are becoming critical to secure cloud-based applications in the fields such as healthcare, entertainment, and manufacturing. Active defense mechanisms in cloud platforms need to be robust against targeted attacks (such as Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS), malware, and SQL injection) that make servers unresponsive and/or cause data breaches/loss, which in turn can cause high impact especially for healthcare applications. In this paper, we present a novel network-based active defense mechanism viz., “defense by pretense” that uses real-time attack detection and creates cyber deception e.g., by redirecting attacker’s traffic to quarantine machines and sending spoofed responses to attacker for cloud-based healthcare data processing applications. We implement our active defense mechanism by creating a realistic testbed on AWS cloud platform featuring the Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics (OHDSI) framework for protected health data analytics with electronic health record data (SynPUF) and COVID-19 publications (CORD-19). Our evaluation experiments show the need and effectiveness of our active defense mechanism against targeted resource and data exfiltration attacks. We compare our active defense system against state-of-the-art active defense works, and our results show that our system is cost-effective, scalable and easy to deploy for active defense.
REDUCTION OF MATRIX INTEGRAL EQUATIONS WITH DISPLACEMENT KERNELS ON THE HALF-LINE TO CAUCHY SYSTEMS

The equivalence between a system of Fredholm integral equations on the half-line and a Cauchy system is demonstrated. This leads to new computational approaches to the solution of such Fredholm integral equations.