cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Treatment of Experimental and Human Bacterial Endocarditis with Quinolone Antimicrobial Agents

Effective antimicrobial agents must sterilize vegetations containing high bacterial densities in the presence of an indwelling foreign body. This chapter concentrates predominantly on a detailed analysis of the results of quinolone treatment protocols in discriminative animal models of bacterial endocarditis (BE) that may be relevant to the treatment of human BE. In addition, the available literature on the efficacy of quinolones in human BE is summarized. This therapeutic difference occurred despite the β-lactam agents being present within infected vegetations at concentrations above the minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) for periods similar to those observed in the ciprofloxacin-treated animals. This study confirmed the importance of pharmacodynamic parameters such as postantibiotic effect and time-above-MBC at the tissue infection site as dual determinants of the outcome of β-lactam therapy in experimental BE. The Dworkin and coworkers study was an open, nonrandomized evaluation, and the excellent results prompted a larger, prospective, randomized trial comparing oral ciprofloxacin plus rifampin versus nafcillin plus gentamicin in addict-related, right-sided Staphylococcus aureus BE. The newer quinolones (e.g., levofloxacin and trovafloxacin) also appear to be highly active in vivo against both methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains in experimental BE models.
163 Utilizing feed sequencing to decrease the risk of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) cross-contamination during feed manufacturing.

Citation: Schumacher, L. L., Cochrane, R. A., Woodworth, J. C., Huss, A. R., Stark, C. R., Jones, C. K., . . . Tokach, M. D. (2016). Utilizing feed sequencing to decrease the risk of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) cross-contamination during feed manufacturing. Journal of Animal Science, 94, 76-76. doi:10.2527/msasas2016-163
A shape mapping framework for graphics and visual computing

With the rapid advancement of 3D surface scanning technologies and medical modalities, high-fidelity surface models and volumetric data sets of huge size have been routinely acquired through hardware devices. This dissertation concentrates on the challenging research issue of how to build the best possible (surface and volume) mapping between different objects of arbitrarily complicated topological types. Inter-shape mapping, or more specifically, finding meaningful, low distortion correspondence between two given objects is an enabling tool for various applications in digital entertainment, modeling and simulation, shape analysis and retrieval, material synthesis, visualization, etc. This dissertation research seeks accurate and efficient solutions to this fundamental and important problem. Based on modern geometry, especially differential geometry, algebraic topology and Riemannian Geometry, we have articulated and developed a general and powerful shape mapping paradigm for objects in different dimensions with arbitrary topologies: in the 1D curve case, we devise the conformal invariants as curve signatures; in the 2D surface case, we exploit techniques of topological decomposition and conformal mapping; and in the 3D volumetric case, we focus on harmonic map based on Green function theory. Consequently, compared with all the existing surface and volumetric mapping techniques, our work offers a better and integrated solution to the inter-object mapping problem. The great potential of our shape mapping framework will be highlighted through many valuable applications such as shape analysis, deformation editing, animation morphing, information transfer, re-meshing, texture synthesis, and physics-based modeling. Furthermore, we envision broader application scopes including computer vision, shape database and content-driven information retrieval, digital medicine, virtual environments, etc.
Special Education Policy and Response to Intervention: Identifying Promises and Pitfalls to Advance Social Justice for Diverse Students

This article provides a brief overview of special education policy within the context of changing student demographics, with a focus on disproportionate identification for special education and inappropriate educational placement for diverse students. Additionally, it provides an overview of the Response to Intervention (RTI) model and how RTI might overcome some of the limitations of traditional methods for determining special education eligibility and, consequently, address disproportionality and social justice for diverse students. In that vein, we discuss some of the more salient promises and pitfalls of RTI and consider ways to maximize its potential through culturally responsive practices. Finally, we consider some of the intended and unintended consequences of RTI with diverse students, along with recommendations for overcoming the unintended consequences.
InterPlanetary Wayback: The Permanent Web Archive

To facilitate permanence and collaboration in web archives, we built Interplanetary Wayback to disseminate the contents of WARC files into the IPFS network. IPFS is a peer-to-peer content-addressable file system that inherently allows deduplication and facilitates opt-in replication. We split the header and payload of WARC response records before disseminating into IPFS to leverage the deduplication, build a CDXJ index, and combine them at the time of replay. From a 1.0 GB sample Archive-It collection of WARCs containing 21,994 mementos, we found that on an average, 570 files can be indexed and disseminated into IPFS per minute. We also found that in our naive prototype implementation, replay took on an average 370 milliseconds per request.
Exploring the Relationship Between Healthcare Services Satisfaction and Life Satisfaction among the Elderly

The effect of health on the relationship between satisfaction in the healthcare services domain and satisfaction in the overall life domain is explored. Correlation analysis reveals a greater spillover occurs when health is poor. Other moderating variables are an individual’s perceived cognitive age and education level. Eight other demographic and socicpsychological variables were found not to exhibit any significant influence on the relationship. Exploratory conclusions are drawn and reccranendations for future research are presented.
Extracellular enzyme activity suggests phosphorus limitation of biofilm productivity in acid mine drainage remediated streams

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a global consequence of historical and present day mining activities. Remediation efforts have been successful in improving water quality with elevated pH and decreased dissolved metals. In many streams, there has been chemical and biological recovery, but success is not universal. The goal of restoration should be to improve not only biological diversity but also stream function. We compared biofilm community characteristics and function from three stream categories (AMD-unimpaired, AMD-impaired, and AMD-remediated) in southeastern Ohio. Biofilms of the AMD-impaired and AMD-remediated sites had the lowest concentrations of chlorophyll a and the lowest rates of productivity and respiration. AMD-impaired streams had reduced pH and increased dissolved metal (iron, aluminum, and manganese) concentrations. Specific conductance was elevated in both the AMD-impaired and AMD-remediated streams. Water at the AMD-impacted and AMD-remediated sites had significantly lower soluble reactive phosphorus concentration compared to AMD-unimpaired sites. Biofilm extracellular enzyme activities showed an increase in biomass-specific phosphorus-acquiring enzymes in AMD-impaired and AMD-remediated sites. These results suggest phosphorus limitation is occurring in AMD-impaired and AMD-remediated streams, potentially limiting or delaying biotic recovery even though water chemistry has improved.
Online News Consumption

The online shift in news has changed the way people consume their news. Limited production of print and broadcast news meant consumers had few choices for their news sources, but the Internet has replaced that scarcity with a seemingly limitless set of options. The chapter will frame how citizens used to consume news with how consumption happens now. A primary question to be answered is if the minimal effects thesis of news still holds in today’s fragmented media environment.
The genus Capsicum (Solanaceae) in Africa

The genus Capsicum (Solanaceae) includes approximately 20 wild species and 4-5 domesticated taxa commonly referred to as ‘chilies’ or ‘peppers’. The pre-Colombian distribution of the genus was New World. The evolutionary history of the genus is now envisaged as including three distinct lines leading to the domesticated taxa. The route of Capsicum to the Old World is thought to have followed three different courses. First, explorers introduced it to Europe with secondary introduction into Africa via further exploratory expeditions; second, botanical gardens played a major role in introduction; and third, introduction followed the slave trade routes. Today, pepper production in Africa is of two types, vegetable and spice. Statistical profiles on production are difficult to interpret, but the data available indicate that Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia and Ghana are the leading producers. Production is mainly a local phenomenon and large acreage is seldom devoted to the growing of peppers. The primary peppers in Africa are C. annuum and C. frutescens.
Might Only Theology Save Medicine? Some Ideas from Ramsey

In The Anticipatory Corpse: Medicine, Power, and the Care of the Dying, Jeffrey Bishop argues that contemporary medicine has (among other things) reduced the patient from a ‘subject’ to an ‘object’. He extends this charge to all corners of contemporary medicine. But in his book’s concluding chapter, ‘Anticipating Life’, he turns toward a constructive proposal, asking, in closing, ‘[m]ight it not be that only theology can save medicine?’ Toward answering Bishop’s query, I turn to the thought of Paul Ramsey. Ramsey is helpful because, in thinking through and responding to contemporary moral dilemmas, he begins with his theological commitments and thereby may avoid the reductive tendencies that Bishop argues affect contemporary medicine. Specifically, Ramsey’s account of the ‘patient as person’, I will argue, delimits what the medical endeavor may do and might offer resources to help save medicine.
Study on DC arc faults in ring-bus DC microgrids with constant power loads

DC microgrid offers significant advantages such as control simplicity and less conversion stages for energy storage, renewables and electronic load integration. However, its implementation is highly restricted by the development of dc protection system. Especially, the series dc arc faults have been posing significant challenges due to low fault current level. This paper explores the impact of dc arc fault in dc microgrids with constant power loads (CPLs). An effective power flow and dc arc modeling method is presented, based on which the dc arc fault responses at different locations are analyzed. It is concluded that with a ring bus structure and droop control, the microgrid is naturally resistant to series dc arc fault at the source and dc buses. However, arc fault by the load side can still cause serious damages. Based on the fault responses study, dc arc detection and protection considerations are discussed.
Software Testing Design Techniques Used in Automated Vehicle Simulations

Research and development in the field of automated vehicles has increased along with related works about its software. Software testing in automated vehicles is key to launching safe and reliable vehicles. Several issues in the software testing of automated vehicles have been raised including extremely large space of test input, the high cost of test executions in a physical environment, test oracles not being simple Boolean properties, and so on. Automated vehicle simulations are a solution of cost reduction in test execution. However, space of test input is extremely large. Extremely large space of test input comes from sensing data. In this paper, we discuss the software architecture of automated vehicle simulation as the target software. We raise issues on software testing in these simulations on the basis of the related works. We then discuss test design techniques used in automated vehicle simulations.
Betting on Terrorism (a)

Bob Marks, an employee at the CIA's Counterterrorist Center, was intrigued by the controversy over the proposed Policy Analysis Market (PAM), which was the brainchild of the Department of Defense's Terrorism Information Awareness initiative. PAM would be a government-sponsored, real-money futures market aimed at providing insight into military activity and political instability, primarily in the Middle East. The proposal met with a furious outcry from politicians, the media, and the public, claiming that it was a way of profiting from disaster. Marks knew about the predictive power of markets and knew they were incredibly efficient aggregators of information, so he did not want to dismiss PAM outright. This case details the architecture of PAM, its relationship to the efficient market hypothesis (EMH), and basic theory about ideas futures and decision markets. Excerpt UVA-E-0356 August 26, 2010 Betting on Terrorism (A) As he sat at his desk in the CIA's Counterterrorist Center, Bob Marks listened intently to a report on NPR covering what had become Washington's “controversy du jour,” the Policy Analysis Market (PAM). The host of All Things Considered was discussing with a senior official from the Department of Defense (DoD) the comments made by Senators Ron Wyden and Byron Dorgan in a strongly worded letter made public the previous day, June 30, 2003. The letter was addressed to Vice Admiral John Poindexter (USN Ret.), whom the DoD had recently contracted to spearhead its Terrorism Information Awareness (TIA) initiative, a project of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Wyden and Dorgan were demanding that he immediately terminate his plans to begin registering traders for participation in PAM by the end of the week. . . .
Primates and Fragmentation of the Amazon Forest

Many areas of what was once primary Neotropical forest are now areas of deforestation, areas of habitat fragmentation, and areas of isolated forest fragments. This change in the forest is mainly attributed to increased human activity. In the case of the Brazilian Amazon, deforestation is more widespread in the states of Para and Rondonia than in Amazonas. With increasing human population and associated socioeconomic pressures, however, significant deforestation in this central region of the Amazon basin may soon match the other states (INPE, 1998). What happens to the flora and fauna in this new mosaic of isolated forest remnants and secondary growth is only beginning to be understood. Examining the effects of fragmentation on the medium- and large-sized rain forest mammals is often the first and simplest place to begin, given their relative ease of observation and measurement (Gilbert and Setz, 2001; Malcolm, 1988, 1990; Spironelo, 1987).
A process systems framework for rapid generation of life cycle inventories for pollution control and sustainability evaluation

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a tool that aids in sustainable decision-making among product and process alternatives. When implementing LCA, the efficient and accurate modeling of chemical processes for life cycle inventory (LCI) generation is still challenging. Challenges include a lack of systematic design and simulation tools and approaches to develop chemical process models for obtaining and analyzing more realistic LCI results. In this contribution, a novel process systems framework is proposed for estimating LCI results when implementing pollution control technologies. This framework involves the development and incorporation of pollution control unit (PCU) modules into process simulation and generation of LCI data associated with the PCUs for use in a sustainability evaluation. Different pollution control modules are designed for rapid LCI estimation and applied to obtain emissions, utility consumption, material, and land footprint results related to waste streams of a process simulation. Then, the LCI results are analyzed with the objectives of minimizing the environmental impact and utility consumption. The proposed framework is illustrated via a biomass/coal gasification process for syngas production with the end goal of acetic acid manufacturing. Results associated with this case study show that the developed framework can provide guidelines for sustainable decision-making based on generated LCI results.
Pectoralis Muscle Segmentation on CT Images Based on Bayesian Graph Cuts with a Subject-Tailored Atlas

This paper proposes a method to segment the pectoralis muscles in CT scans of patients within a Bayesian framework. First, a subject-tailored probabilistic atlas is constructed using affine registered label-maps of subjects that are highly similar to the test subject from a database of pairwise registered training subjects. The likelihood is constructed using a multivariate distribution taking intensities and distance to the atlas into account. The posterior probability is used to drive a graph cuts segmentation for classifying the CT into left major, left minor, right major, right minor pectoralis and non-pectoralis taking neighborhood information into account. The probabilistic prior is built using 400 CT scans and the method is tested on 50 independent CT scans. Results are reported on each muscle separately and show a statistically significant improvement when the subject-tailored prior is incorporated into the model. This automatic method can be used to objectively and efficiently asses clinical outcomes for patients with COPD.
Standardizing Variables in K -means Clustering

Several standardization methods are investigated in conjunction with the K-means algorithm under various conditions. We find that traditional standardization methods (i.e., z-scores) are inferior to alternative standardization methods. Future suggestions concerning the combination of standardization and variable selection are considered.
Density-matrix correlations in the relaxation theory of electron broadening

Spectral lines of radiating atoms are broadened by perturbations due to the surrounding plasma environment. In line-broadening calculations, the statistical average of the perturbation is weighted by the density matrix, which, in thermal equilibrium, contains correlations between the radiator and plasma. These correlations, however, have been neglected by all line-broadening theories except for the kinetic theory. The relaxation theory of line broadening is a mathematically exact derivation containing only one physical approximation: neglect of density-matrix correlations. We revisit this derivation and improve it by including the correlations. The line-broadening operator derived with the updated relaxation theory differs from that derived from the kinetic theory, though both derivations are considered to be exact. The kinetic theory derivation predicts that density-matrix correlations result a strong static shift of spectral lines. Our derivation, on the other hand, predicts that the correlations are a frequency-dependent effect that affects the line wings, and there is no shift of the line due to correlations. In addition, we predict that changes in the line shape due to correlations are only noticeable at extremely high densities. To distinguish the more appropriate model, we compare the shifts calculated with the relaxation and kinetic theory with data. The comparison shows support for the relaxation theory and casts into doubt the accuracy of the derivation of the kinetic theory of line broadening.
A Bayesian multivariate functional model with spatially varying coefficient approach for modeling hurricane track data

Abstract Hurricanes are massive storm systems with enormous destructive capabilities. Understanding the trends across space and time of a hurricane track and intensity leads to improved forecasts and minimizes their damage. Viewing the hurricane’s latitude, longitude, and wind speed as functions of time, we propose a novel spatiotemporal multivariate functional model to simultaneously allow for multivariate, longitudinal, and spatially observed data with noisy functional covariates. The proposed procedure is fully Bayesian and inference is performed using MCMC. This new approach is illustrated through simulation studies and analyzing the hurricane track data from 2004 to 2013 in the Atlantic basin. Simulation results indicate that our proposed model offers a significant reduction in the mean square error and averaged interval and increases the coverage probability. In addition, our method offers a 10% reduction in location and wind speed prediction error.
Molecular mechanism for NLRP6 inflammasome assembly and activation.

Inflammasomes are large protein complexes that trigger host defense in cells by activating inflammatory caspases for cytokine maturation and pyroptosis. NLRP6 is a sensor protein in the nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) and leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-containing (NLR) inflammasome family that has been shown to play multiple roles in regulating inflammation and host defenses. Despite the significance of the NLRP6 inflammasome, little is known about the molecular mechanism behind its assembly and activation. Here we present cryo-EM and crystal structures of NLRP6 pyrin domain (PYD). We show that NLRP6 PYD alone is able to self-assemble into filamentous structures accompanied by large conformational changes and can recruit the ASC adaptor using PYD–PYD interactions. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we identify the surface that the NLRP6 PYD filament uses to recruit ASC PYD. We further find that full-length NLRP6 assembles in a concentration-dependent manner into wider filaments with a PYD core surrounded by the NBD and the LRR domain. These findings provide a structural understanding of inflammasome assembly by NLRP6 and other members of the NLR family.
National trends in radiation dose escalation for glioblastoma.

Purpose Glioblastoma (GBM) carries a high propensity for in-field failure despite trimodality management. Past studies have failed to show outcome improvements with dose-escalation. Herein, we examined trends and outcomes associated with dose-escalation for GBM. Materials and methods The National Cancer Database was queried for GBM patients who underwent surgical resection and external-beam radiation with chemotherapy. Patients were excluded if doses were less than 59.4 Gy; dose-escalation referred to doses ≥66 Gy. Odds ratios identified predictors of dose-escalation. Univariable and multivariable Cox regressions determined potential predictors of overall survival (OS). Propensity-adjusted multivariable analysis better accounted for indication biases. Results Of 33,991 patients, 1,223 patients received dose-escalation. Median dose in the escalation group was 70 Gy (range, 66 to 89.4 Gy). The use of dose-escalation decreased from 8% in 2004 to 2% in 2014. Predictors of escalated dose were African American race, lower comorbidity score, treatment at community centers, decreased income, and more remote treatment year. Median OS was 16.2 months and 15.8 months for the standard and dose-escalated cohorts, respectively (p = 0.35). On multivariable analysis, age >60 years, higher comorbidity score, treatment at community centers, decreased education, lower income, government insurance, Caucasian race, male gender, and more remote year of treatment predicted for worse OS. On propensity-adjusted multivariable analysis, age >60 years, distance from center >12 miles, decreased education, government insurance, and male gender predicted for worse outcome. Conclusion Dose-escalated radiotherapy for GBM has decreased over time across the United States, in concordance with guidelines and the available evidence. Similarly, this large study did not discern survival improvements with dose-escalation.
Polyglutamine Solution-State Structural Propensity Is Repeat Length Dependent.

Expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) tracts in proteins, which are known to induce their aggregation, are associated with numerous neurodegenerative diseases. Longer polyQ tracts correlate with faster pr...
Increased Interval From Initial Evaluation to Initial Voice Therapy Session is Associated With Missed Voice Therapy Appointments.

Summary Background Voice therapy (VT) is an essential component to a successful treatment of laryngological disorders and thus patient outcomes depend on patient compliance with VT. As volume of VT patients’ ebb and flow, there is often variation in wait times for initial VT sessions. There is a paucity research evaluating VT latency and missed appointments. It is important to find associations between latency and patient compliance to assist with increasing the quality of patient care in all voice and swallowing clinics and decreasing missed appointments for VT following. Should a clinical setting be able to make changes to better care for the patients, it may show a substantial change in missed appointments and patient outcomes. Objective/Hypothesis To determine what factors contribute to missed initial VT session and specifically whether patients who have a time interval of >4 weeks from their initial interdisciplinary evaluation to their initial VT session are more likely to not attend. Study Design Retrospective analysis of a database, at a tertiary academic voice and swallowing center. Methods A prospective voice and swallowing database was evaluated for new voice patient evaluations starting from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2017. Patients with a primary diagnosis of dysphonia or dyspnea and scheduled for VT after the initial patient evaluation in an interdisciplinary laryngology clinic were included. Results Three hundred and eighteen patients (mean age = 5.27, standard deviation 16.0) met the inclusion criteria. Patients were 73% (n = 231) female, and 81% White/Caucasian. Univariate analysis shows that insurance type, profession, body mass index, interval to VT appointment, Reflux Severity Index (RSI), and Eating Assessment Tool–10 scores were associated with missed appointment rates. Multivariate logistic regression model demonstrated interval to VT, RSI, race, and profession were significant factors in missed appointments. Patients with an interval >4 weeks, were more likely to miss their appointment, as compared to patients Conclusion The data presented suggests that patients who have their first VT appointment greater than 4-weeks from the time of their initial interdisciplinary evaluation have an increased risk of missed appointment. Race, RSI, and professional voice use also appear to play a role in missed appointment rates.
Cognitive Function in Pediatric Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE Despite surgical palliation, children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) have compromised cardiac functioning and increased risk for cognitive deficits. We quantitatively reviewed the empirical data from this literature. METHODS The present meta-analysis included 13 studies reporting cognitive function for children with HLHS between the ages of 2 years and 6 months and 17 years that used standardized assessments of Full Scale IQ (FSIQ), Verbal IQ (VIQ), and Performance IQ (PIQ). Differences in cognitive function were assessed relative to normative data, and we examined sample mean age and publication year as moderators. RESULTS Large effects were found for FSIQ (g = -.87, 95% CI [-1.10, -.65], M = 86.88) and PIQ (g = -.89, 95% CI [-1.11, -.68], M = 86.56), and a medium effect was found for VIQ (g = -.61, 95% CI [-.84, -.38], M = 90.82). All models demonstrated significant heterogeneity. Meta-regression analyses of effect size via Hedges' g on child age revealed a significant effect on FSIQ (coefficient = -.07, 95% CI [-.12, -.01], p < .01, R2 = .40) indicating a loss of 1.1 FSIQ points across studies with each increased year of mean sample age. CONCLUSIONS Deficits in FSIQ may reflect chronic brain injury or failure to make expected gains as children age. This review highlights the importance of early intervention in this population, and the need for longitudinal studies analyzing more specific domains of cognitive function and potential moderators.
Lower Bounds for Accuracy of Estimation in Magnetic Resonance High Angular Resolution Diffusion Imaging Data

High angular resonance diffusion imaging (HARDI) is a popular in vivo magnetic resonance brain imaging technique. Clinicians and neuroscientists often use HARDI to understand the fiber geometry inside a human brain. Carmichael and Sakhanenko (Linear Algebra Appl 473:377–403, 2015) (C–S) in their work investigated estimators of the integral curves and their asymptotic distributions under a noisy tensor field model for the imaging signals. Under their model, the present work establishes the minimax lower bound for the asymptotic risk of the integral curve estimators. Additionally, this work generalizes the results of Sakhanenko (Theory Probab Appl 54:168–177, 2012), where minimax lower bounds for the asymptotic risk of the estimators of the integral curves were established under a simple vector model of the imaging signals perturbed by an additive noise.
Gold and Bateas: Visuality, Tactility, Representation, Politics

The recent boom in resource extraction in Latin America and the intense conflicts surrounding extraction have attracted the notice of many communities of practice and media genres and generated new modes of representation that bring together different publics. Many of these strongly emphasize the
Chapter 78 – Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a disease that strikes without warning, often manifested by a single seizure or a few days of progressive headaches, yet evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging reveals a large mass that was likely present for months. Its stealth-like behavior belies the hallmark feature of this deadly cancer; it infiltrates normal brain diffusely, early in the disease course and over long distances, making it impossible to detect early or to cure surgically. The median survival time is 15 months with approximately 25% of patients alive at 2 years. The mainstay of treatment is external beam radiation in combination with the oral alkylating agent, temozolomide. The glioblastoma genome has been well characterized, yet no molecular targeted therapies have yet proven effective in the clinic. Improvements in outcome for this devastating disease will require a better understanding of the pathophysiology and the development of robust preclinical models for testing new therapies.
microRNA regulation of chemoresistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

5042 We are using a combination of in silico and in vitro approaches to address the questions of whether microRNA expression profiles correlate with chemotherapy sensitivity/resistance in lung cancers, whether microRNAs play a functional role in drug sensitivity/resistance of lung cancer cells and whether microRNA expression levels can be manipulated to increase drug sensitivity in cultured lung cancer cells. We have developed a panel of lung cancer and immortalized normal lung epithelial lines, on which we have measured in vitro sensitivity profiles to drugs commonly used in the treatment of lung cancer (which can show variations of >1,000 fold) and mRNA expression profiles (providing gene expression signatures for sensitivity/resistance). We profiled microRNA expression in a subset of 20 of these cell lines, and identified microRNAs that that are differentially expressed between cancer and normal and between drug sensitive and resistant NSCLCs. We correlated microRNA expression levels with drug sensitivity profiles, and developed a computational method to predict interactions between microRNAs and mRNA 3’UTRs. We have identified several microRNAs with expression profiles that are inversely correlated with response to drug treatment in cultured cells. We have transfected chemoresistant NSCLCs with stabilized mimics of these microRNAs and observed a 200- to 300-fold increase in sensitivity to paclitaxel. We predicted that a number of genes potentially related to drug resistance are regulatory targets of these microRNAs, including tubulin- and microtubule-associated protein kinases. Combining the predictions with a high-throughput siRNA screen, we identified 20 candidate regulatory targets of microRNAs relevant to chemosensitivity. Several of these predicted targets confer sensitivity to paclitaxel when knocked down by siRNA. These data suggest that microRNAs can be both diagnostic of and modulate the response of lung cancers to chemotherapy.
Examination of Laws Allowing Sunscreen Use in Schools in the Context of UV Levels by State.

Abstract Purpose Sunscreen use provides ultraviolet radiation (UV) protection but is often limited in school settings because sunscreen is classified as an over-the-counter drug product. Some US states have laws allowing students to carry and self-apply sunscreen. We examined these laws in the context of state UV levels. Methods We obtained legislative information through April 2020 from the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association website and UV data for years 2005–2015 from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Environmental Public Health Tracking website. Results Twenty-three states and District of Columbia have sunscreen laws, including 11 states with UV levels above the median UV level across states. There was no significant association between state UV levels and sunscreen laws. Conclusions The presence of state sunscreen legislation has increased but is not associated with UV levels. Future research could examine the implementation and public health effects of these laws.
Risk Stratification of Acute PE

This chapter examines the classification and risk stratification of acute pulmonary embolism (PE). It starts by reviewing the European and American classifications schemes of acute PE. It then summarizes the most common risk stratification scoring systems and explores other elements involved in risk stratification, including cardiac biomarkers and right ventricular imaging modalities. Finally, integrated methods of risk stratification are discussed.
Effect of conscientiousness and agreeableness on job performance and emotional intelligence among Indian employees

Personality has always been an important factor when it comes to hiring of employees in an organization. This study investigates effect of the two personality traits: Conscientiousness and Agreeableness on Job Performance and Emotional Intelligence. It is a quantitative research. The data was collected from 85 employees working in private or corporate sector in India. The result of this study confirms the hypothesis that there is a positive correlation between personality traits and job performance, emotional intelligence. The scales used to measure the variables are The Big Five Inventory 2-Short form (BFI-2-S) by authors Soto and John, Brief Emotional Intelligence Scale–10 (BEIS-10) by author Kevin Davies and Goodman & Svyantek (1999) Job Performance Scale by authors Goodman and Svyantek. Limitations and Scope for further research has been discussed.
Divide-and-Iterate Approach to Big Data Systems

Matrix calculations are often required for the analysis of any big-data cloud computing system. It is quite common to process big-data associated matrices possessing the sparsity and low-rank properties. In order to efficiently deal with big-data matrices, we propose a new divide-and-iterate framework, which can be invoked to solve an enormously large linear system of equations by taking advantage of factored matrices. The Kaczmarz algorithm (KA) is utilized here to design the parallel iterative algorithms which are capable of solving a large system of equations by iteratively updating the solution through the reduction into the factorized subsystems in parallel. The convergences of our proposed new iterative algorithms are justified by the rigorous proofs. Besides, the time- and memory-complexities are studied to demonstrate the resource efficiency of the proposed algorithms. Numerical experiments are also presented to illustrate the effectiveness of this proposed new framework.
The Year in Review: Economics at the Antitrust Division 2019–2020

Two recent enforcement actions highlight important aspects of the economic analyses that have been performed at the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice over this past year: The Novelis-Aleris merger illustrates how the decision-making tools that are used by market participants can reveal market characteristics that are key to merger analysis. The acquisition of Aetna by CVS raised several novel issues. A complex regulatory framework affected optimal bidding behavior among insurers and injected unique considerations into the analysis of a horizontal consolidation. Analysis of vertical aspects of the merger required accounting for variation in the mode of competition across a supply chain.
Extremely non-convex optimization problems: the case of the multiple obnoxious facilities location

The multiple obnoxious facilities location problem is an extremely non-convex optimization problem with millions of local optima. It is a very challenging problem. We improved the best known solution for 33 out of 76 test instances. We believe that the results of many instances reported here are still not optimal and thus better objective function values exist. We challenge the optimization community to design procedures that will further improve some of the results reported here. Optimality can be proven for a small number of new facilities. Proving optimality for a large number of facilities would be an achievement.
Enhancement of the mechanical properties of graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) reinforced nickel matrix nanocomposites

Abstract The graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) reinforced nickel matrix composites (Ni-GNP) have been processed using two different ball milling approaches, viz, dry ball milling (DM) and solution ball milling (SBM), followed by consolidation using spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The composites were reinforced with varying GNP concentration (0.5–2 wt%) and were milled for up to 12 hr to investigate the effect of premixing technique, milling duration, and GNP concentration on the grain size, microstructure, the dispersion of GNP in the nickel matrix, and mechanical behavior of these composites. Ni-GNP nanocomposites exhibited improved microhardness and tensile strength compared to pure nickel, primarily attributed to grain refinement and load transfer strengthening due to the uniform dispersion of these GNPs within the nickel matrix, promoting effective load transfer during tensile deformation. Ni-0.5GNP composites processed via dry milling followed by SPS exhibited the highest tensile yield strength of 586 MPa as compared to pure nickel and other Ni-GNP composites. The contribution of each strengthening mechanism in the overall improvement in yield strength of Ni-GNP composites has been qualitatively calculated/quantified and compared with experimentally obtained tensile properties.
Stacie Selmon McCormick, Staging Black Fugitivity

Staging Black Fugitivity traces the history of late twentieth- and early twenty-first-century dramatic performances of slavery through the analytic lens of Black fugitivity. It argues that neoslave...
Bridging Borders and Becoming Transnationals: African Immigrants in Greater Boston and Philadelphia

Based on in-depth interviews with 50 African immigrant entrepreneurs and community leaders in Greater Boston and Philadelphia, this paper will explore the formation of transnational identities among this population against the backdrop of recent research in migration and gender studies. It will examine the connections to home which these immigrants maintain through the sending of remittances, property ownership, regular visits and the formation of business networks. Further, this paper will investigate their connections to their host society, where they are making substantial contributions to urban revitalization through their business ownership and the reinvigoration of civil society through their leadership of African organizations in historically African American neighborhoods. Their activities in these realms are highly gendered and largely based in West Philadelphia and Dorchester in Boston. Although they have encountered structural blockage in the workplace and in the broader society due to their race, gender, perceived class and immigrant statuses, they have developed a new Pan-Africanism through their interactions in the political, business and social spheres with other Africans, African Americans and Afro-Caribbeans. This new Pan-Africanism enables them to meet these challenges head-on and to make important contributions to community development on both sides of the Atlantic.
Message diffusion through social network service: The case of rumor and non-rumor related tweets during Boston bombing 2013

Social Network Services (SNS) such as Twitter play a significant role in reporting media, particularly during the extreme events. We examined the impact of tweet features on the diffusion of two types of messages during 2013 Boston marathon tragedy--rumor related and non-rumor related (both in the context of the Boston tragedy). Negative binomial analysis revealed that tweet features such as reaction time, number of followers, and usage of hashtag have an impact on tweet message diffusion during the tragedy. The number of followers showed a positive relationship with message diffusion. However, the relationship between tweet reaction time and message diffusion was negative. Finally, tweet messages that did not include hashtags diffused more than messages that contained hashtags. This paper contributes by adapting the innovation diffusion model to explore tweet message diffusion in Twitter space during extreme events.
A Method for Remotely Silencing Neural Activity in Rodents During Discrete Phases of Learning

This protocol describes how to temporarily and remotely silence neuronal activity in discrete brain regions while animals are engaged in learning and memory tasks. The approach combines pharmacogenetics (Designer-Receptors-Exclusively-Activated-by-Designer-Drugs) with a behavioral paradigm (sensory preconditioning) that is designed to distinguish between different forms of learning. Specifically, viral-mediated delivery is used to express a genetically modified inhibitory G-protein coupled receptor (the Designer Receptor) into a discrete brain region in the rodent. Three weeks later, when designer receptor expression levels are high, a pharmacological agent (the Designer Drug) is administered systemically 30 min prior to a specific behavioral session. The drug has affinity for the designer receptor and thus results in inhibition of neurons that express the designer receptor, but is otherwise biologically inert. The brain region remains silenced for 2-5 hr (depending on the dose and route of administration). Upon completion of the behavioral paradigm, brain tissue is assessed for correct placement and receptor expression. This approach is particularly useful for determining the contribution of individual brain regions to specific components of behavior and can be used across any number of behavioral paradigms.
Outpatient Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents Engaged in Deliberate Self-Harm: Conceptual and Methodological Considerations

The current review examines conceptual and methodological issues related to the use of dialectical behavior therapy for adolescents (DBT-A) in treating youth who engage in deliberate self-harm. A comprehensive review of the literature identified six studies appropriate for the review. Results indicated several inconsistencies and limitations across studies including the mixing of various forms of self-harm; variations in diagnostic inclusion/exclusion criteria, insufficient use of standardized self-harm outcome measures, variable lengths and intensity of provided treatment, and inadequate attention paid to DBT adherence. Each of these areas is reviewed along with a discussion of ways to improve the quality of future research.
Thermal Spreading Resistance for Square and Rectangular Entities

A systematic study was performed using numerical modeling to understand the effects of thermal spreading resistance on the total resistance from junction to ambient for square and rectangular entities. Simultaneously, a literature survey was conducted to understand effects of thermal spreading resistance on circular, square and rectangular heat sources and heat spreading plates. Simulation from numerical model (Flotherm) was then compared with results from analytical solution derived by Lee [1] and Ellison [2] for square and rectangular heat sources respectively as a benchmarking process for the numerical model. The model presumes a heat source on a large cooling plate beneath which has a constant heat transfer coefficient on the sink side. Numerical simulations were performed for steady-state conditions with different range of dimensions for source to plate edge length ratio and dimensionless thickness. Results for dimensionless spreading resistance as a function of relative contact size, plate thickness and Biot number were derived using Flotherm and compared with the analytical models mentioned above. Results show that numerical modeling using software like Flotherm can offer excellent results within acceptable percentage difference when compared to analytical solutions.
Hbt Studies with E917 at the Ags: a Status Report

Two-particle correlations between pions in Au+Au collisions have been measured at beam kinetic energies of 6, 8, and 10.8 GeV/u at the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS) over a wide range of rapidities using a magnetic spectrometer. The data have been analyzed in the Hanbury-Brown and Twiss (HBT) framework to extract source parameters. The event-by-event orientation of the reaction plane has also been measured using a scintillator hodoscope at far forward rapidities, and beam vertexing detectors upstream of the target. A preliminary analysis of the dependence of the source parameters on the reaction plane is presented.
The Developmental Stability of Facial Attractiveness: New Longitudinal Data and a Review.

To examine the stability of facial attractiveness from early childhood to young adulthood, 100 university students were asked to rate facial photographs of nine males and nine females at each of five age-levels: 5 to 8 years; shortly before the onset of puberty; mid-puberty; immediately post-puberty; and at 19 to 22 years of age