cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abbreviated Screening Protocol for Breast MRI: A Feasibility Study

Rationale and Objectives To compare the performance of two shortened breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols to a standard MRI protocol for breast cancer screening. Materials and Methods In this Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliant, institutional review board–approved pilot study, three fellowship-trained breast imagers evaluated 48 breast MRIs (24 normal, 12 benign, and 12 malignant) selected from a high-risk screening population. MRIs were presented in three viewing protocols, and a final Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System assessment was recorded for each case. The first shortened protocol (abbreviated 1) included only fat-saturated precontrast T2-weighted, precontrast T1-weighted, and first pass T1-weighted postcontrast sequences. The second shortened protocol (abbreviated 2) included the abbreviated 1 protocol plus the second pass T1-weighted postcontrast sequence. The third protocol (full), reviewed after a 1-month waiting period, included a nonfat-saturated T1-weighted sequence, fat-saturated T2-weighted, precontrast T1-weighted, and three or four dynamic postcontrast sequences. Interpretation times were recorded for the abbreviated 1 and full protocols. Sensitivity and specificity were compared via a chi-squared analysis. This pilot study was designed to detect a 10% difference in sensitivity with a power of 0.8. Results There was no significant difference in sensitivity between the abbreviated 1 (86%; P = .22) or abbreviated 2 (89%; P = .38) protocols and the full protocol (95%). There was no significant difference in specificity between the abbreviated 1 (52%; P = 1) or abbreviated 2 (45%; P = .34) protocols and the full protocol (52%). The abbreviated 1 and full protocol interpretation times were similar (2.98 vs. 3.56 minutes). Conclusions In this pilot study, reader performance comparing two shortened breast MRI protocols to a standard protocol in a screening cohort were similar, suggesting that a shortened breast MRI protocol may be clinically useful, warranting further investigation.
Designing knowledge management systems: reuse and integration of findings in computer supported cooperative work

Currently, we lack the technical mechanisms to fully bridge the gulf between the social requirements and technological feasibility. Many interactive systems today are developed without the involvement, input, or advice of trained psychologists or human factors experts, who might best be able to forecast the way users will respond to new or different designs. In this paper, we analyze the prospects for knowledge management (KM) systems with respect to the social and technical issues discussed and illustrated in Ackerman's nine general findings of computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW). Based upon this examination, we then develop several hypothetical KM scenarios to illustrate the CSCW concerns. Finally, we discuss the nature of the social-technical gap for KM systems and suggest what designers can do to reduce it.
Chico: An On-chip Hardware Checker for Pipeline Control Logic

The widening gap between CPU complexity and verification capability is becoming increasingly more salient. It is impossible to completely verify the functionality of a modern microprocessor before shipping, much less before tape out. Recent studies indicate that the majority of errors in these designs are centered on control and forwarding logic. To address this problem, we present Chico, an efficient approach to on-chip hardware correctness that specifically targets escaped design errors in these high risk functional blocks. Our solution includes an on-chip checker block that monitors the correctness of potential data dependencies and program order of the executed instructions before they are allowed to commit. If this online checker detects a mismatch, the processor's exception handler is invoked, reconfiguring the system to a known-correct, formally-verified mode of operation which can correctly re-execute and commit the faulty instruction. The processor can then resume its normal, high throughput mode of operation. In our experimental setup, we have implemented Chico in an out-of-order processor design and evaluated its performance impact on 11 distinct buggy variants of the design running SPECint benchmarks. Our results indicate that Chico can overcome the errors present in these buggy designs at a minimal performance cost, ranging from less than 1% up to 4%. In addition, we evaluated Chico's area cost and found it to be an order of magnitude smaller than other popular solutions such as DIVA, with an area impact of less than 3% for our experimental processor. Our approach is novel in that it shows no appreciable performance degradation on a correct design, and it is a low complexity, area-frugal solution compared to previous work.
Stability of solutions of linear nonautonomous difference equations

Consider the linear difference equation where by investigating the asymptotic behavior first of the nonoscillatory solutions and then of the oscillatory solutions of Eq.(1) we obtain sufficient conditions for the global asymptotic stability of Eq.(1)
Exercise Adherence Interventions for Adults With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

This excerpt was created in the absence of an abstract . highlights the findings and application of Cochrane reviews and other evidence pertinent to the practice of physical therapy. The Cochrane Library is a respected source of reliable evidence related to health care. Cochrane systematic reviews explore the evidence for and against the effectiveness and appropriateness of interventions—medications, surgery, education, nutrition, exercise—and the evidence for and against the use of diagnostic tests for specific conditions. Cochrane reviews are designed to facilitate the decisions of clinicians, patients, and others in health care by providing a careful review and interpretation of research studies published in the scientific literature.1 Each article in this PTJ series will summarize a Cochrane review or other scientific evidence resource on a single topic and will present clinical scenarios based on real patients to illustrate how the results of the review can be used to directly inform clinical decisions. This article focuses on exercise adherence interventions among adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Which, if any, approaches foster exercise adherence among adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain?
Study of the coherent reaction K+d → K0π+d at 2 GeV/c

Abstract We have made a study of the coherent reaction K+d → K0π+d at 2 GeV/c, using data obtained in the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory 25 inch bubble chamber. The cross section for this reaction is 324 ± 25 μb, after correction for invisible K0 decays. This reaction is dominated primarily by vector exchange. We determine the parameters of the ω trajectory to be αω = (0.33 ± 0.04) + t.
Molecular orbital theory of the hydrogen bond. 24. Ground-state water–uracil complexes

Ab initioSCF calculations with the STO-3G basis set have been performed to investigate the structural, energetic, and electronic properties of mixed water–uracil dimers formed at the six hydrogen-bonding sites in the uracil molecular plane. Hydrogen-bond formation at three of the carbonyl oxygen sites leads to cyclic structures in which a water molecule bridges N1H and O2, N3H and O2, and N3H and O4. Open structures form at O4, N1H, and N3H. The two most stable structures, with energies of 9.9 and 9.7 kcal/mole, respectively, are the open structure at N1H and the cyclic one at N1H and O2. These two are easily interconverted, and may be regarded as corresponding to just one “wobble” dimer. At 1 kcal/mole higher in energy is another “wobble” dimer consisting of an open structure at N3H and a cyclic structure at N3H and O4. The third cyclic structure at N3H and O2 collapses to the “wobble” dimer at N3H and O4. The two “wobble” dimers are significantly more stable than the open dimer formed at O4, which has a stabilization energy of 5.4 kcal/mole. Uracil is a stronger proton donor to water through N1H than N3H, owing to a more favorable molecular dipole moment alignment when association occurs through H1. Hydration of uracil by additional water molecules has also been investigated. Dimer stabilization energies and hydrogen-bond energies are nearly additive in most 2:1 water:uracil structures. There are three stable “wobble” trimers, which have stabilization energies that vary from 7 to 9 kcal/mole per water molecule. Hydrogen-bond strengths are slightly enhanced in 3:1 water:uracil structures, but the cooperative effect in hydrogen bonding is still relatively small. The single stable water–uracil tetramer is a “wobble” tetramer, with two water molecules which are relatively free to move between adjacent hydrogen-bonding sites, and a stabilization energy of approximately 8 kcal/mole per water molecule. Within the rigid dimer approximation, successive hydration of uracil is limited to the addition of one, two, or three water molecules.
SOMETHING IN COMMON

Does elite rhetoric influence how Latinos view their relationship with African Americans? In this paper, we provide a systematic empirical assessment of the impact that elite messages have on Latino perceptions of economic and political commonality by drawing on two unique data sources: the 2006 Latino National Survey (LNS) and a survey experiment embedded in the September 2010 Latino Decisions Tracking Poll (LDS). Our analysis reveals that the attitudinal effects of exposure to elite messages are strongly conditioned by one's political partisanship. To be more precise, we find that although exposure to elite messages leads Democrats to express more in common politically with African Americans, it fails to exert any significant influence among other groups and on different dependent variables. Specifically, the evidence presented here shows that reception of persuasive messages from like-minded political leaders contributes nothing to our understanding of how attitudes on economic commonality are formed and very little to our understanding of the source from which perceptions of political commonality arise among Republicans and Independents. In addition to making significant contributions to the literatures on commonality, multiracial coalitions and public opinion, these findings also make a strong case for further evaluating the role of political leadership in forging bonds of cooperation across racial lines.
Fabry disease: dose matters.

Fabry disease is an X-linked disorder resulting from mutations of the gene that encodes the lysosomal hydrolase α -galactosidase A, and leads to progressive lysosomal accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (GL-3) and related glycosphingolipids.[1][1] In classically affected male patients, clinical
Artificial viscosity: back to the basics

Summary In this paper, we take a different perspective on the derivation of artificial viscosity. Heretofore, the development of artificial viscosity has been based on the paper published in Journal of Applied Physics in 1950 authored by John von Neumann and Robert Richtmyer [1]. Earlier, in 1948, Richtmyer published a report at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory documenting the original concept [2]. This report was the true origin of shock capturing methods and contains several key ideas that are conceptually different than the 1950 journal article. Unfortunately, this report (LA-671) was classified until 1993. This has resulted in two issues: the misattribution of the invention of artificial viscosity as primarily being the work of von Neumann and the loss of the structurally different ideas in the original report. We seek to right the record of history here and use the ideas contained in Richtmyer's report to good effect in deriving a new shock viscosity. The focus of previous development has been the Hugoniot curve describing the locus of states connected by a single shock wave. Here we follow a path more focused upon the Rayleigh line, which is strongly guided by Richtmyer's line of development of the original artificial viscosity formulation. We provide an implementation of the method resulting from this perspective and computational results for simple shock problems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Longitudinal Changes in Family Outcomes of Very Low Birth Weight

Objectives Although children with very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500 g) are at high risk for developmental impairments, we know little about the long-term effects of VLBW on families. This study examined long-term family outcomes and their stability over time. Methods Participants were the families of 64 children with <750 g birth weight, 54 with 750–1499 g birth weight, and 66 term-born controls. Family burden and parental distress were assessed annually as part of longitudinal follow-up of the children from mean ages 11–14 years. Results Family burden and parental distress were higher in the <750 g group than in the term-born group, but differences varied with the child’s age and family environment. Conclusions The findings document long-term effects of VLBW on families that are moderated by the degree of low birth weight, child’s age, and family environment.
Systems integrated approach in natural hazard mitigation

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the experiences of developing a systems integrated approach in earthquake hazard mitigation by the National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (NCEER). It discusses the utilization and significance of this approach in natural hazards reduction. The NCEER Program is driven by four problem-focused projects: buildings, nonstructural components, lifelines, and highways and bridges. The NCEER program uses a matrix approach for the development of earthquake mitigation advancements. Special attention is given to lessons learned from recent earthquakes, which serve to validate and direct ongoing research for progress in hazard mitigation. The approach links research with practice to advance the state-of-knowledge and the state of practice, while providing participants access to physical and intellectual resources. The systems approach demands that research spending be prioritized, thus insuring timeliness of effort for user needs. The approach also establishes mechanisms and networks to capitalize on opportunities that can further hazard mitigation research.
Reducing Radiation Exposure Without Compromising Image Quality for Lumbar Spine CT

radiation is minimized and image quality is conserved. When a patient undergoes a CT scan, a lowradiation scout view is first performed. On the basis of the scout view, the AEC calculates a projected radiation dose that is measured in sieverts. Denser anatomy requires higher radiation to penetrate the tissue,so,bynature,largerpatientsneed higher doses to obtain quality images. One of the parameters of the GE LightSpeedPro32AECsystemisthat it allows the setting of the maximum possible radiation dose (in milliamperes), with the goal of preventing overexposure to larger patients. After this maximum is reached, the scanner will not continue to increase the radiation dose, thereby keeping the overall radiation exposure to the patient within an acceptable range. Essentially, above a certain radiation dose, image quality is slightly sacrificed but the patient’s radiation exposure is limited. AtypicaldoseforlumbarspineCT is approximately 10 mSv. We found that at our Memorial Campus there was a higher than expected typical dose for lumbar spine CT. In fact, the observed rate of 15.5 mSv over a fivemonth span (October to February 2014) was more than 50% higher than whatisexpectedofatypicalCTscanof
Resistance to O2 diffusion in anemic red muscle: roles of flux density and cell PO2

Normal and anemic dog gracilis muscles were compared at equal O2 uptake rates (VO2) to locate the principal site of resistance to diffusive O2 transport. Anemia halved the hematocrit and the number of red blood cells per square millimeter of muscle cross section. Flow doubled in anemia, and flow times arterial O2 content, PO2 of effluent blood, and O2 extraction per red blood cell were approximately the same as control. Nevertheless, intracellular PO2 was significantly lower in anemia. At any instant the aggregate red blood cell surface area for O2 release was about half normal. Because the flux (VO2) was the same as control, the driving force for diffusion from red blood cell to myocyte should have doubled. An estimate of the total driving force from red blood cell to mitochondria was greater in anemia. This increase was much less than a factor of 2 because lower intracellular PO2 increases myoglobin-facilitated diffusion, thus decreasing resistance inside the myocyte. The role of myoglobin and the coupling of convective to diffusive transport are discussed. We conclude that the principal resistance to O2 diffusion lies outside the myocyte.
Lesbianas Unidas: Shaping nation through community activist rhetorics.

ABSTRACTLatina Queer activisms emerged in response to the ethnic-based Chicano movement and the White-focused women's movement. Latina lesbians found that foregrounding nationhood based on ethnic origin was in absolute opposition to sexual and gendered liberation. Specifically, Latina feminist groups of the 1970s emphasized their compliant straightness to maintain their citizenship within the Chicano/Latino nation. In addition, from a Chicano perspective, feminism itself was considered a “White disease” and part of destructive White “gabacho” influence. While White lesbian groups were many times allied with lesbians of color their racist blinders were evident. The founders of Lesbianas Unidas in Los Angeles walked a fine line of rejection and alienation from their families and home culture of ethnicity and authenticity while redefining “queer” as coherent within the Chicano/Latino nation. My study focuses on their creation of rhetorical strategies of sex, gender, and nationality that set Lesbianas Unidas ...
Conserved mechanism of action of a phosphate analogue in cultured cells

The present study was undertaken to further examine a model for the mechanism of action of thio-phosphate in cells using the cultured human cell line HEK 293 and the bacterium E. coli. Previous work has shown that thio-phosphate is incorporated into the nucleic acids of all types of cells and that this modification leads to the stabilization and accumulation of mRNA in vivo. Evidently, competition for translation occurs between cellular mRNAs, due to the limited number of ribosomes in the cell, which impacts the proteins synthesized. In both E. coli and HEK 293 cells, a global shift in the distribution of proteins on 2D gels was observed when cells were grown in the presence of thio-phosphate. In both cases, a significant fraction of the proteins were impacted, namely 17 % in E. coli and 28 % in HEK 293 cells. In general, those proteins originally expressed at lower levels were enhanced while those at higher levels were reduced. In addition, a correlation was observed between the % initial mass and the fold change observed, supporting the idea of a global shift. Furthermore, the potential identity of some proteins spots was obtained by comparisons with computed MW and pI values for known genes. The candidates were cross-referenced with known mRNA half-lives when available. The analysis supports the idea that a preferential accumulation of proteins derived from mRNAs with half-lives less than the cellular mRNA average occurred, at the expense of those proteins derived from mRNAs with half-lives greater than the cellular average. In summary, thio-phosphate is shown to be a useful tool for predictably shifting the distribution of proteins in a variety of cell types. The fold enhancement is typically 5- to 10-fold. Interestingly, there were some proteins elevated more than 20-fold, identifying potential regulatory responses. Some of these were further characterized using LC-MS/MS.
Outcome of recurrent uterine papillary serous carcinoma treated with platinum-based chemotherapy.

Objective The aim of this study was to estimate the outcome and response to platinum-based chemotherapy (CT) in patients with recurrent uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC). Methods Patients with recurrent UPSC from 2000 to 2012 were included retrospectively. All patients received platinum-based CT for recurrent disease. Platinum-free interval was divided into less than 6 months (platinum resistant) and 6 months or longer (platinum sensitive). Results Twenty-two patients with recurrent UPSC were included. The median age was 66.5 years. The majority of the patients initially presented with advanced-stage disease (68%). A total of 84% (18/22) received adjuvant CT; all regimens were platinum based. The overall response rate (RR) and stable disease were 50% and 36.4%. The mean duration of response and stable disease were 9.4 and 5.6 months. Among the platinum-sensitive group, the overall RR was 64.7% compared with 0% in the platinum-resistant group. Among the patients who received prior adjuvant platinum-based CT, the RR was 38.8% compared with 100% among those who did not receive adjuvant CT. When stratified by platinum-based regimen, those who received the platinum-taxane regimen had a higher RR compared with those who received the platinum-gemcitabine regimen (62.5% vs 20%) among those who received prior adjuvant platinum therapy. The median progression-free survival and overall survival for the entire cohort were 8.4 and 24.9 months, respectively. The median progression-free survival was significantly longer for platinum-sensitive disease compared with platinum-resistant disease (10.2 vs 3.3 months, respectively; P = 0.002). Similarly, the median overall survival was longer for platinum-sensitive disease compared with platinum-resistant disease (27.1 vs 13.7 months, respectively). However, this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.15). Conclusions Platinum-based CT is an active regimen in recurrent UPSC even if patients received prior adjuvant platinum CT. Platinum-free interval predicts response and outcome of platinum-based CT in recurrent setting such as in ovarian cancer. Plantinum-taxane is more active than platinum-gemcitabine in recurrent UPSC.
Abstract LB-148: XBP1 regulates NFkappaB signaling in antiestrogen resistant breast cancer cells

Unfolded protein response (UPR), a stress-induced survival mechanism, may be hijacked by cancer cells to avoid cell death. Therefore, the functional role of UPR during drug resistance has attracted an increasing amount of attention recently. Antiestrogen therapy, used in the treatment of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, induces UPR. Upon endoplasmic reticulum stress, three arms of UPR signaling become activated to cope with stress conditions. One critical player that is regulated by two arms of the UPR signaling is a transcriptional factor called X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1). XBP1 exists in two forms, the transcriptionally inactive unspliced XBP1(U) and the spliced, actived XBP1(S). We have previously shown that overexpression of XBP1(S) confers estrogen independence and antiestrogen resistance in ER+ breast cancer cells. Others subsequently reported that XBP1(S) expression in ER+ breast tumors correlates with poor clinical responsiveness to Tamoxifen. However, the underlying signaling mechanisms affected by XBP1(S) as well as the effects of splicing on antiestrogen resistance remain unclear. We hypothesize that XBP1(S) mediates antiestrogen resistance in part through regulating nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) signaling, since we previously showed that NFkappaB expression and activity are up-regulated in antiestrogen resistant cells, possibly through up-regulation of IKKgamma (NEMO) and RelA (NFkappaB p65). We now show that XBP1 regulates the expression of RelA in breast cancer cells. Overexpression of XBP1 in MCF7 and LCC1 antiestrogen sensitive breast cancer cells results primarily in an increase in XBP1(S) and an induction of RelA expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. We also show that NFkappaB transcriptional activity is upregulated by XBP1 overexpression. Moreover, the antiestrogen resistance conferred by XBP1 overexpression in MCF7 cells requires activated NFkappaB signaling. The presence of small molecule NFkappaB inhibitor, Parthenolide, sensitizes XBP1 ovexpressing MCF7 cells to Tamoxifen. Depletion of endogenous XBP1 using siRNA in antiestrogen resistant LCC9, LY2, and MCF7-RR breast cancer cells decreases RelA expression and NFkappaB transcriptional activity. Taken together, our findings establish a regulatory link between the UPR/XBP1 pathway and pro-survival NFkappaB signaling. Currently, we are actively investigating the role of XBP1 splicing in regulating NFkappaB signaling and antiestrogen resistance with a non-splicible mutant of XBP1 (XBP1(nonS)). In future studies, we will identify the pathways induced by XBP1/NFkappaB signals and further delineate their role in antiestrogen resistance in ER+ breast cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-148. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-LB-148
Cocultures of Neurons and Astrocytes as a Model for Examining Hypoxia-Induced Neuronal Death

Astrocytes perform critical functions necessary for neuronal survival. Thus, examining the influence of astrocyte function on neuronal cell death during disease, including hypoxia/ischemia, has become an important avenue of investigation. In this chapter we detail the methodology and potential pitfalls for establishing cocultures of astrocytes and cortical neurons for studying hypoxia-induced neuronal death. In brief, astrocyte cultures are first established until they reach confluence. The medium is exchanged from a medium that supports astrocyte growth to a medium that supports neuronal viability 24 h before adding neurons to the astrocyte monolayer. After the neurons mature, the cultures are exposed to severe hypoxia and neuronal death is quantified 1-2 days later.
Ferroelectric Self-Poling, Switching, and Monoclinic Domain Configuration in BiFeO3Thin Films

Self-poling of ferroelectric films, i.e., a preferred, uniform direction of the ferroelectric polarization in as-grown samples is often observed yet poorly understood despite its importance for device applications. The multiferroic perovskite BiFeO3, which crystallizes in two distinct structural polymorphs depending on applied epitaxial strain, is well known to exhibit self-poling. This study investigates the effect of self-poling on the monoclinic domain configuration and the switching properties of the two polymorphs of BiFeO3 (R′ and T′) in thin films grown on LaAlO3 substrates with slightly different La0.3Sr0.7MnO3 buffer layers. This study shows that the polarization state formed during the growth acts as “imprint” on the polarization and that switching the polarization away from this self-poled direction can only be done at the expense of the sample's monoclinic domain configuration. The observed reduction of the monoclinic domain size is largely reversible; hence, the domain size is restored when the polarization is switched back to its original orientation. This is a direct consequence of the growth taking place in the polar phase (below Tc). Switching the polarization away from the preferred configuration, in which defects and domain patterns synergistically minimize the system's energy, leads to a domain state with smaller (and more highly strained and distorted) monoclinic domains.
The bivalent ligand hypothesis. A quantitative model for hormone action.

A model is presented wherein a single hormone molecule is treated as bearing two distinct regions capable of interaction with the cell surface: a specificity determinant which binds with high affinity and specificity to one class of cell surface sites called receptor, and a response determinant which binds with much lower affinity and specificity to a second class of cell surface sites called effector. It is postulated that the steady-state response elicited by the hormone is proportional to the amount of hormone bound to effector and that, under ordinary conditions, the ratio of effector sites to receptor sites is substantially less than unity, perhaps on the order of 0.1. In this model, the formation of a hormone-receptor complex does not serve to initiate directly the process by which the response is elicited, but rather to increase selectively the apparent affinity of effector for a specific hormone by several orders of magnitude. It is shown that this model is capable of qualitatively and semiquantitatively rationalizing, in a unified manner, a broad variety of experimental data on the relationship between hormone binding and steady-state response elicitation, in both the absence and presence of cross-linking agents such as lectins and anti-hormone and anti-receptor antibodies.
Some Notes on the Role of Development in Psychoanalytic Assistance, Differentiation, and Regression

(2003). Some Notes on the Role of Development in Psychoanalytic Assistance, Differentiation, and Regression. The Psychoanalytic Study of the Child: Vol. 58, No. 1, pp. 165-171.
Progression of a Data Visualization Assignment

The growing popularity of data visualization due to increased amounts of data and easier-to-use software tools creates an information literacy skill gap for students. Students in an Information Technology Management graduate course were exposed to data visualization not only through their textbook reading but also through a data visualization assignment. Through a review of current literature and practice, student feedback, and instructor experience, the data visualization assignment has been updated multiple times in an effort to best serve the students’ learning needs. This paper provides a brief literature review on why data visualization is growing and why students should learn about it and then outlines the data visualization assignment through each iteration. Lessons learned from student feedback on a student survey and suggestions for future assignments are also included.
King Cobra and the Rise of Anti-Chinese Populism in Zambia

The following chapter lays out the political landscape of Zambia in the run-up to the 2011 presidential election and highlights the central importance of that institutional context creating opportunities for the rise of anti-Chinese populism in the country during the 2000s. It introduces the historical background enabling the rise of the MMD and its consolidation of single-party rule in the 1990s as well as the rise of Chinese involvement in Zambia’s economy and society during the 2000s. The chapter discusses the multifaceted nature of Chinese engagement, including not only official state-to-state relations but also the arrival of state-owned enterprises, private outside investors, and independent Chinese nationals. It then suggests that the diverse landscape of Chinese engagement presented opposition candidate, Michael Sata, with a unique opportunity to challenge the ruling MMD. In this context, Sata used the unifying target of a monolithic China to mobilize a multiregional and multiethnic opposition and overcome the advantages enjoyed by the MMD in Zambia’s uneven political playing field. In this sense, “playing the China card,” enabled Sata to beat the odds and win the presidency. It also contributed to pulling Zambian public opinion of China in decidedly negative direction—in spite of many benefits presented by Sino-Zambian economic relations.
Intrapreneurship: Adding Entrepreneurial Value and Innovation within a Corporation

There has been a lot of talk lately about the success of women. Much of this discussion has been related to women in the corporate environment, the pay disparity experienced by women, and the lack of women on corporate boards and in senior level positions—more commonly referred to as the glass ceiling. While the economy is doing marginally better, women’s pay is doing marginally worse.
Martha Teater and John Ludgate. (2014). Overcoming Compassion Fatigue: A Practical Resilience Workbook

Using a cognitive-behavioral framework, Teater and Ludgate (2014) provide practical exercises for care providers seeking to detect, manage and prevent burnout, compassion fatigue, and work distress...
Fat vegan politics: A survey of fat vegan activists’ online experiences with social movement sizeism

ABSTRACTThe author examines the consequences of stigma strategies in vegan activism as it is experienced by fat vegan activists. The fat politics of veganism in online spaces is examined in data provided by a 2016 qualitative survey of fat-identified vegan activists. Results highlight the subjective experiences of fat vegans, illuminating the meaning of healthism, sizeism, and thin-privilege in vegan social justice spaces. Sizeism is a significant concern for fat vegan activists as respondents report only medium-level feelings of comfort and community, with one in four reporting having experienced fat discrimination in the movement. Most indicate that online vegan spaces feel safer than those offline, but most also perceive vegan online spaces as less inclusive than nonvegan ones. Most activists did not significantly modify their participation in response.
The effect of relevance strategies on student perceptions of introductory courses

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to test whether increasing the relevancy of course assignments in a large multisection introductory public-speaking course would lead to improvements in student perceptions of course outcomes. Survey responses from 1,878 students were analyzed to test whether differences exist between students enrolled in classes held during the spring 2015 semester and those enrolled in classes held in fall 2015 during which the more relevant course assignments were incorporated. Results reveal that increasing the relevancy of assignments is associated with greater perceived course relevance, motivation for participating in the class, and perceptions of learning. This course redesign demonstrates that simply altering course assignments can positively impact student perceptions and motivation for participating in the class in multisection introductory courses.
In situ activation of platelets with checkpoint inhibitors for post-surgical cancer immunotherapy

Cancer recurrence after surgical resection remains a significant challenge in cancer therapy. Platelets, which accumulate in wound sites and interact with circulating tumour cells (CTCs), can however trigger inflammation and repair processes in the remaining tumour microenvironment. Inspired by this intrinsic ability of platelets and the clinical success of immune checkpoint inhibitors, here we show that conjugating anti-PDL1 (engineered monoclonal antibodies against programmed-death ligand 1) to the surface of platelets can reduce post-surgical tumour recurrence and metastasis. Using mice bearing partially removed primary melanomas (B16-F10) or triple-negative breast carcinomas (4T1), we found that anti-PDL1 was effectively released on platelet activation by platelet-derived microparticles, and that the administration of platelet-bound anti-PDL1 significantly prolonged overall mouse survival after surgery by reducing the risk of cancer regrowth and metastatic spread. Our findings suggest that engineered platelets can facilitate the delivery of the immunotherapeutic anti-PDL1 to the surgical bed and target CTCs in the bloodstream, thereby potentially improving the objective response rate. By targeting the surgical bed and circulating tumour cells, platelets conjugated with an antibody against an immune checkpoint protein prevent tumour recurrence and metastasis following resection of the primary tumour.
Analyzing Doris Salcedo´s Political Commitment

The first artistic production of Doris Salcedo, with a political intention, revolves around the violence unleashed by the Colombian war and the way in which it irreparably alters the lives of its victims. As part of an ongoing investigation, this essay will analyze how the work of Salcedo, while making visible the pain of the victims of the endless Colombian civil war and provoking emotional reactions of dejection and empathy in the viewer, results in a superficial understanding of relatively easy consumption and possible cause of its success in the market of the art. We will briefly trace the first political intention of Salcedo and his coincidence with the New Colombian Theater and then, in detail, his first series of furniture and sculpture, Closets Untitled (1995-2008).
Emergency Department Provider Perspectives on Benzodiazepine-Opioid Coprescribing: A Qualitative Study.

Objective Benzodiazepines and opioids are prescribed simultaneously (i.e. “co-prescribed”) in many clinical settings, despite guidelines advising against this practice and mounting evidence that concomitant use of both medications increases overdose risk. This study sought to characterize the contexts in which benzodiazepine-opioid co-prescribing occurs and providers’ reasons for co-prescribing. Methods We conducted focus groups with ED providers (resident and attending physicians, advanced practice providers, and pharmacists) from three hospitals using semi-structured interviews to elicit perspectives on benzodiazepine-opioid co-prescribing. Discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed. We performed qualitative content analysis of the resulting transcripts using a consensual qualitative research approach, aiming to identify priority categories that describe the phenomenon of benzodiazepine-opioid co-prescribing. Results Participants acknowledged co-prescribing rarely and reluctantly, and often provided specific discharge instructions when co-prescribing. The decision to co-prescribe is multifactorial, often isolated to specific clinical and situational contexts (e.g. low back pain, failed solitary opioid therapy) and strongly influenced by a provider's beliefs about the efficacy of combination therapy. The decision to co-prescribe is further influenced by a self-imposed pressure to escalate care or avoid hospital admission. When considering potential interventions to reduce the incidence of co-prescribing, participants opposed computerized alerts but were supportive of a pharmacist-assisted intervention. Many providers found the process of participating in peer discussions on prescribing habits to be beneficial. Conclusions In this qualitative study of ED providers, we found that benzodiazepine-opioid co-prescribing occurs in specific clinical and situational contexts, such as the treatment of low back pain or failed solitary opioid therapy. The decision to co-prescribe is strongly influenced by a provider's beliefs and by self-imposed pressure to escalate care or avoid admission. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Modulating affective experience and emotional intelligence with loving kindness meditation and transcranial direct current stimulation: A pilot study.

Positive emotional perceptions and healthy emotional intelligence (EI) are important for social functioning. In this study, we investigated whether loving kindness meditation (LKM) combined with an...
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of YejM from Salmonella typhimurium: an essential inner membrane protein involved in outer membrane directed cardiolipin transport.

Salmonella typhimurium is responsible for over 35% of all foodborne illness related hospitalizations in the United States. This Gram-negative bacterium possesses an inner and an outer membrane (OM), the latter allowing its survival and replication within host tissues. During infection, OM is remodeled by transport of glycerophospholipids across the periplasm and into the OM. Increased levels of cardiolipin in the OM were observed upon PhoPQ activation and led to the discovery of YejM; an inner membrane protein essential for cell growth involved in cardiolipin binding and transport to the OM. Here we report how YejM was engineered to facilitate crystal growth and X-ray diffraction analysis. Successful structure determination of YejM will help us understand how they interact and how YejM facilitates cardiolipin transport to the OM. Ultimately, yejm , being an essential gene, may lead to new drug targets inhibiting the pathogenic properties of S. typhimurium .
Identifying Types of Misalignments between Promotion Emails and Landing Pages

A key requirement of successful online marketing is to maintain the quality of hyperlinks. However, it is not uncommon for users to get confused or disappointed by a wide range of misalignments between links and their landing pages. This paper presents an online survey that identifies types of such misalignments perceived by recipients.
Android gaming malware detection using system call analysis

Android operating systems have become a prime target for attackers as most of the market is currently dominated by Android users. The situation gets worse when users unknowingly download or sideload cloning applications, especially gaming applications that look like benign games. In this paper, we present, a dynamic Android gaming malware detection system based on system call analysis to classify malicious and legitimate games. We performed the dynamic system call analysis on normal and malicious gaming applications while applications are in execution state. Our analysis reveals the similarities and differences between benign and malware game system calls and shows how dynamically analyzing the behavior of malicious activity through system calls during runtime makes it easier and is more effective to detect malicious applications. Experimental analysis and results shows the efficiency and effectiveness of our approach.
Response-adapted radiation therapy for newly diagnosed primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the CNS treated with methotrexate-based systemic therapy

Abstract Background For patients with primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the central nervous system (PCNSL), whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) to doses of ≥45 Gy are often given after a partial response (PR) to methotrexate-based induction chemotherapy. We conducted an exploratory analysis to determine whether lower-dose WBRT, given with a boost to sites of persistent disease, might be a reasonable alternative. Methods and materials We retrospectively reviewed the records of 22 patients with PCNSL who received WBRT, with or without a boost, after methotrexate-based induction chemotherapy. Outcomes were compared among patients according to response to chemotherapy using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results Median follow-up was 52 months. All patients with a complete response (CR) (n = 5) received WBRT to 23.4 Gy. One CR patient died after an in-field relapse. Patients with partial response (PR) (n = 10) received a median whole-brain dose of 23.4 Gy with (n = 8) or without (n = 2) a boost; there were 2 relapses within the central nervous system (CNS). All PR patients were alive at the time of analysis. The overall survival ( P = .127) and freedom from relapse within the CNS ( P = .967) were not different for patients with CR versus PR. Baseline and follow-up neurocognitive evaluations were available for 4 PR patients, and there were no significant differences between pre- and post-treatment evaluations ( P > .05 for language, memory, visual-spatial, attention, or motor functions). All patients who progressed or did not respond to chemotherapy and then received WBRT had died at a median time of 3.4 months. Patients who progressed or did not respond to chemotherapy had worse overall survival ( P = .001) and freedom from CNS relapse ( P = .005) compared with CR patients. Conclusions Among patients with a PR to induction chemotherapy, reduced-dose WBRT with a boost to residual PCNSL may be a viable treatment approach that merits further investigation.
Reliability of cable insulation under reaction- and diffusion-controlled thermal degradation

Cables transmit signals and power in nuclear power plants. The primary material for the cable insulation is cross-linked polyethylene, which inevitably degrades due to thermal stress. The degradati...
An occupational exposure limit (OEL) approach to protect home healthcare workers exposed to common nebulized drugs

Abstract Home healthcare is a growing area of employment. Assessment of occupational health risks to home health care workers (HHCWs) is important because in many cases the unique characteristics of the home environment do not facilitate the level of exposure control afforded to caregivers in hospitals and other fixed patient care sites. This assessment is focused on health risks to HHCWs from exposure to pharmaceutical drugs used to treat asthma and other respiratory diseases, which are commonly administered to patients in aerosolized form via nebulizers. We developed risk-based exposure limits for workers in the form of occupational exposure limits (OEL) values for exposure to nebulized forms of the three most common drugs administered by this method: albuterol, ipratropium, and budesonide. The derived OEL for albuterol was 2 μg/day, for ipratropium was 30 μg/day, and for budesonide was 11 μg/day. These OELs were derived based on human effect data and adjusted for pharmacokinetic variability and areas of uncertainty relevant to the underlying data (human and non-human) available for each drug. The resulting OEL values provide an input to the occupational risk assessment process to allow for comparisons to HHCW exposure that will guide risk management and exposure control decisions.
Association Between Progression of Retinopathy and Concurrent Progression of Kidney Disease: Findings From the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study

Importance Associations between retinopathy and kidney disease have been previously described. The association between the progression of retinopathy and concurrent progression of chronic kidney disease is unknown. Objective To assess the association between progression of retinopathy and concurrent progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among persons with CKD enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Design, Setting, and Participants A total of 1936 patients with chronic kidney disease enrolled in the multicenter, prospective Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study were invited to have 2 nonmydriatic fundus photography sessions separated by a mean (SD) of 3.5 (0.5) years. The study was conducted from May 12, 2006, to June 29, 2011. Data analysis was performed from March 16, 2016, to November 17, 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures Fundus photographs obtained at baseline and then at a follow-up at 3.5 years were reviewed by masked graders for presence and severity of retinopathy, and vessel calibers were assessed using standard protocols. The associations of the changes in retinal features with progression of CKD (50% estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] loss or incident end-stage renal disease, and differences in eGFR slope in the same time period) were assessed with univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Results Among 1583 CRIC participants who had baseline fundus photography, had additional follow-up in CRIC, and were at risk for retinopathy progression, 1025 patients (64.8%) had follow-up photography. The odds ratio (OR) for CKD progression associated with worsening of retinopathy in comparison with participants with stable retinopathy was 2.24 (95% CI, 1.28-3.91;P = .005) in univariable analysis among participants with baseline and follow-up photography. In the multivariable analysis, the OR was 1.62 (95% CI, 0.77-3.39;P = .20). The multiple imputation analysis provided similar results. Conclusions and Relevance Progression of retinopathy appears to be associated with progression of CKD on univariable analysis but not on multivariable analysis suggesting that similar risk factors may be affecting the progression of both retinal and chronic kidney disease.