cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of intravenous gadolinium administration and flip angle on the assessment of liver fat signal fraction with opposed‐phase and in‐phase imaging

Purpose: To assess the effects of intravenous gadolinium (Gd) and flip angle (FA) on liver fat quantification by opposed-phase (OP) and in-phase (IP) imaging. Materials and Methods: Our Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved this Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant, retrospective, clinical study. We identified 79 patients in whom abdominal OP and IP gradient-echoes were obtained at 1.5T before and after Gd administration. All 79 patients were imaged at high FA (70°); 57 were also imaged at low FA (20°). Fat signal fraction (FSF) was calculated from pre- and post-Gd liver images for each subject and FA using the formula, FSF (SIP –S OP)/2SIP, where SIP and SOP are the OP and IP signal intensities, respectively. The dataset pairs (pre-Gd vs. post-Gd; high-FA vs. low-FA) were compared using linear regression analysis. Results: Before Gd, FSF was significantly greater at high FA than at low FA, with regression parameters (slope/intercept) of 1.27*/0.02*, where * indicates P value 0.01. After Gd, FSF was similar at high and low FA (0.99/– 0.00). Gd administration caused an FA-dependent reduction in FSF, larger at high FA (0.68*/– 0.03*) than at low FA (0.94, – 0.01*). Conclusion: FSF by OP-IP imaging is highly dependent on FA before Gd, but this dependency is eliminated after administration of Gd. Gd appears to minimize the effect of T1-weighting and may improve the accuracy of liver fat
Instanton Representation of Plebanski Gravity. The Classical Theory

This paper is a self-contained introduction to the instanton representation of Plebanski gravity (IRPG), a formulation of General Relativity (GR) where the basic variables are a spacetime gauge connection and a three by three matrix valued in the Lie algebra of so(3,C). We present a classical analysis of the IRPG from various perspectives, noting some of its interesting features and motivations.
A common framework for diverse capstone experiences

Year-long senior design capstone courses used to be simple to manage; however, over the past several years they have become increasingly cross-disciplinary and technical in nature, to the point where a single faculty advisor will probably not have sufficient breadth and depth of expertise in all areas of the project to provide adequate guidance and supervision. The Electrical & Computer Engineering and Computer Science Department at Ohio Northern University has responded to this challenge through the establishment of a “Project Review Board” for each senior design capstone project that consists of three faculty members with the appropriate background and expertise to guide the project. This review board structure can be implemented at any institution, provides greater opportunities for both accurate assessment and student professional development, and builds upon previous publications regarding capstone assessment and design standards. This paper presents the details behind the changes that were successfully implemented in our revised capstone process.
Molecular electronic device based on biological electron transport system-photoelectric properties of molecular heterojunction using flavin-porphyrin LB multilayers

Fundamental technologies for an electronic device which is implemented on a molecular scale by using electron transport proteins and/or their model Langmuir-Blodgett films are discussed. The study deals with the photoelectric properties of a molecular heterojunction using flavin-porphyrin Langmuir-Blodgett multilayers. The photocurrent revealed unexpectedly strong rectifying properties of the molecular heterojunction. At 300 K the rate of electron transfer from flavin to heme was faster by seven orders of magnitude than that from heme to flavin. >
Alternative Method for Making Explicit FDTD Unconditionally Stable

An alternative method is developed to make an explicit FDTD unconditionally stable. In this method, given any time step, we find the modes that cannot be stably simulated by the given time step, and deduct these modes directly from the system matrix (discretized curl-curl operator) before the explicit time marching. By doing so, the original FDTD numerical system is adapted based on the desired time step to rule out the root cause of instability. The resultant explicit FDTD marching is absolutely stable for the given time step no matter how large it is, and irrespective of space step. The accuracy is also guaranteed for time step chosen based on accuracy. Numerical experiments have validated the accuracy, efficiency, and unconditional stability of the proposed new method for making an explicit FDTD unconditionally stable.
Reality Distortion: Exact and Approximate Algorithms for Embedding into the Line

We describe algorithms for the problem of minimum distortion embeddings of finite metric spaces into the real line (or a finite subset of the line). The time complexities of our algorithms are parametrized by the values of the minimum distortion, a#x03B4;, and the spread, a#x0394;, of the point set we are embedding. We consider the problem of finding the minimum distortion bijection between two finite subsets of the Euclidean line. This problem was known to have an exact polynomial time solution when a#x03B4; is below a specific small constant, and hard to approximate within a factor of a#x03B4;1 -- a#x03B5;, when a#x03B4; is polynomially large. Let D be the largest adjacent pair distance, a value potentially much smaller than a#x0394;. Then we provide a a#x03B4;O(a#x03B4;2 log2 D)} n{O(1)} time exact algorithm for this problem, which in particular yields a quasipolynomial running time for constant a#x03B4;, and polynomial D. For the more general problem of embedding any finite metric space (X, dX) into a finite subset of the line, Y, we provide a a#x03B4;O(a#x03B4;2) (mn)O(1) time O(1)-approximation algorithm (where |X|=n and |Y|=m), which runs in polynomial time provided a#x03B4; is a constant and a#x03B4; is polynomial. This in turn allows us to get a a#x03B4;O(a#x03B4;2) (n)O(1)} time O(1)-approximation algorithm for embedding (X, dX) into the continuous real line.
Political risk and the factors that affect international bids

Abstract This study examines the determinants of bidder returns, target premiums and the likelihood of winning a bid in cross-border acquisitions. We identify how risk associated with the target home country affects these outcomes. Expected improvement in efficiency is the more powerful factor explaining the variation in premiums, while returns to bidders reflect the information asymmetry. Foreign targets are more likely to accept first or lower bids if target countries are culturally close to the U.S. Targets in poor-governance nations are more likely to accept a lower bid, explained by the ability of a good-governance nation acquirer to create benefits for the target.
Application of micro-computed tomographic scanning to characterize patterns of murine cranial suture fusion

Background: In the murine model of suture fusion, it is widely accepted that the posterior frontal suture progresses from a state of patency on day 25 through complete fusion by day 45. The present study was performed to evaluate the process of normal posterior frontal suture fusion and to quantitate patterns of suture morphology in prefusion and postfusion mouse calvariae. Methods: The calvariae of mice euthanized on day 25 (n = 7) and day 45 (n = 7) of postnatal life were analyzed by micro―computed tomography with 21-mm sections from each posterior frontal suture and analyzed by a nonblinded investigator for patency or fusion in the ectocranial, central, and endocranial segments. Results: Both the ectocranial and central surface of the posterior frontal suture demonstrate a statistically significant difference in percentage fusion on day 25 versus day 45 of postnatal life. When compiled as a single suture complex, patterns of patency and fusion across the three defined levels showed a distinct trend toward patency at 25 days (19.8 ± 4.4 percent) and fusion at 45 days (48.6 ± 6.7 percent), but this relationship was not absolute. Conclusions: Although it has previously been thought that the posterior frontal suture in the mouse is fully patent on day 25 and fused on day 45, micro― computed tomographic analysis of the suture suggests otherwise. Accurate characterization of the timing and pattern of fusion in the mouse posterior frontal suture is an essential component to our understanding of the murine model, which serves as a widely studied analogue for suture fusion in humans.
Next-generation Wide Area Data Center Interconnects with Carrier Software Defined Networking

We present an SDN architecture for Data Center WAN Interconnects enabled by an intelligent and programmable packet-optical transport layer. We describe the benefits this offers in solving multi-vendor, multi-layer issues hybrid cloud providers face.
Synthesis, optimization, and characterization of camptothecin-loaded acetalated dextran porous microparticles for pulmonary delivery

We propose the use of a new biopolymer, acetalated dextran (Ac-DEX), to synthesize porous microparticles for pulmonary drug delivery. Ac-DEX is derived from the polysaccharide dextran and, unlike polyesters, has tunable degradation from days to months and pH neutral degradation products. Ac-DEX microparticles fabricated through emulsion techniques were optimized using a variety of postprocessing techniques to enhance the respirable fraction for pulmonary delivery. Tangential flow filtration resulted in a maximum 37% respirable fraction for Ac-DEX porous microparticles, compared to a 10% respirable fraction for poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) porous microparticles. Ac-DEX microparticles were of an optimum diameter to minimize macrophage clearance but had a low enough theoretical density for deep lung penetration. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements showed that the particles did not impinge on a monolayer of lung epithelial cells in either air or liquid conditions. Also, the release of the chemotherapeutic camptothecin was shown to be tunable depending on Ac-DEX degradation time and molecular weight, and drug release was shown to be bioactive over a range of concentrations. Our results indicate that both release kinetics and fraction of burst release of drug from Ac-DEX porous microparticles can be tuned by simply changing the Ac-DEX polymer properties, affording a large range of formulation options for drug delivery to the pulmonary cavity. Overall, Ac-DEX porous microparticles show promise as an emerging carrier for pulmonary delivery of drugs to the alveolar region of the lung, particularly for the treatment of lung diseases.
Factors Associated With Frequent Emergency Department Use in the Medicare Population

Frequent emergency department (ED) use is a public health and policy relevant concern but has not previously been examined in the Medicare population. We conducted a retrospective, claims-based analysis of a nationally representative 20% sample of fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries in 2010 ( n = 5,778,038) to examine frequent ED use. We used multinomial logistic regression to study the relationship between frequent ED use and sociodemographic, outpatient care, and clinical characteristics. Factors that were most strongly associated with frequent ED use included being age 18 to 34 years compared with 65 to 74 years (relative risk ratio = 20.5, confidence interval [CI; 19.7, 21.3]) and mental illness (relative risk ratio = 6.8, CI [6.7, 6.9]). Low versus high continuity of care was associated with 24% (95% CI [1.21, 1.26]) greater risk of frequent compared with non-ED use. Although clinical and demographic characteristics are most strongly associated with frequent ED use, poor continuity of care is also a contributor.
Analysis and countermeasures of positive identification of Legionella pneumophila in cleaned cooling tower water

Objective Conduct sampling detection and investigation analysis on 25 cooling water towers before and after cleanout in Guangzhou,discuss the reason of positive identification on Legionella pneumophila of water after cooling tower being cleanout,provide basis for prevention and control. Methods 25 cooling towers in Guangzhou before and after cleanout were sampled and Legionella pneumophila was detected; the towers with positive Legionella pneumophila were surveyed and analyzed. Results Unclean cooling towers were detected positive Legionella pneumophila rate of 76%,the positive rate was 68. 0% after cleanout,there were no statistical difference between before and after cleanout( χ2= 0. 40,P 0. 05). Conclusions Cooling towers not cleaned regularly,no standard cleaning process,and no professional quality of cleaning companies are the main reasons of positive identification of Legionella pneumophila,comprehensive measures should be used to reduce the danger of Legionella pneumophila.
High-pressure balloon dilatation of bronchial stenosis in children application

Objective To access the clinical efficacy and safety of high-pressure balloon dilatation of bronchial stenosis in children. Methods 5 cases of bronchial stenosis in children, including congenital stenosis, were managed by high-pressure balloon dilation using the flexible fiberopic brochoscope, the balloon was inflated for 1 to 3 min. Before the management and after the last balloon, the effectiveness were evaluated with chest X-ray and all of patients were followed-up 1-6 months. Results Patients required a 2-4 sessions balloon dilatation. After high-pressure balloon dilatations, the airway diameter was obviously increased and the clinical symptoms and signs were significant improvement. Chest X-ray manifestation of expanded sites was improved and pulmonary atelectasis and consolidation disappeared after follow-up periods of 1-6 months. The child with congenital stenosis had no recurrence of high-profile metal-like cough, pulmonary emphysema disappeared. Conclusion High-pressure balloon dilatation of is a safe, efficient, simple and rapid method for treatment of bronchial stenosis in children.
Denationalization Reconsidered: Asian American Cultural Criticism at a Theoretical Crossroads

(1995). Denationalization Reconsidered: Asian American Cultural Criticism at a Theoretical Crossroads. Amerasia Journal: Vol. 21, No. 1-2, pp. 1-28.
Gold nanoparticle decorated AAO filter membrane for SERS sensing of urine acetaminophen

Acetaminophen overdose is linked to more emergency room visits than any other drug. Current standard procedure to detect overdoses rely on serum immunoassays, which provides sensitive detection, but are labor-and time-intensive. We present a surface-enhanced Raman scattering filter sensor for label-free detection of acetaminophen concentrations down to 10 μM in 5 mL urine within 5 minutes. The sensor was created by forming gold nanoparticles on an anodic aluminum oxide filter. The sensor was demonstrated to be reusable after simple cleaning procedures, and provides a potential application for point-of-care diagnosis with Raman detection.
Selective decontamination of the digestive tract: a meta-analysis

Source Citation Selective Decontamination of the Digestive Tract Trialists' Collaborative Group. Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of selective decontamination of the digestive tract. B...
15-2: Invited Paper: Status and Opportunities for Phosphorescent OLED Lighting

UDC is the pioneer in the development and supply of phosphorescent OLED technology and materials for both display and lighting applications. In this presentation we outline the status and opportunities for PHOLED lighting technology. We will review how OLED lighting fits in the lighting ecosystem and its prospects for the next few years.
Identification of Structure-Stabilizing Interactions in Enzymes: A Novel Mechanism to Impact Enzyme Activity

Cruzain, a cysteine protease in the cathepsin family, is pivotal to the life-cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent in Chagas disease. Current inhibitors of cruzain suffer from drawbacks involving gastrointestinal and neurological side effects and as a result have spurred the search for alternative anti-trypanocidals. Through sequence alignment studies and intra-residue interaction analysis of the pro-protein of cruzain (pro-cruzain), we have identified a host of non-active site residues that are conserved among the cathepsins. We hypothesize that these conserved amino acids play a critical role in structure-stabilizing interactions among the cathepsins and are therefore crucial for eventually gaining protease activity. As predicted, mutation of selected conserved non-active site amino-acid candidates in cruzain resulted in a compromised structural stability and a corresponding loss in enzymatic activity relative to wild-type enzyme. By advancing the discovery of novel, non-active-site-based targets to arrest enzymatic activity our results potentially open the field of alternative inhibitor design. The advantages of defining such a non-active-site inhibitor design space is discussed.
Excellent outcomes in combined liver-kidney transplantation: Impact of kidney donor profile index and delayed kidney transplantation.

The positive impact of delayed kidney transplantation (KT) on patient survival for combined liver-KT (CLKT) has already been demonstrated by our group. The purpose of this study is to identify whether the quality of the kidneys (based on KDPI) or the delayed approach KT contributes to improved patient survival. 130 CLKT were performed between 2002-2015; 69 with simultaneous KT (Group S) and 61 with delayed KT (Group D) (performed as a second operation with a mean cold ischemia time [CIT] of 50±15h). All patients were categorized according to the KDPI score; 1-33%, 34-66%, and 67-99%. Recipient and donor characteristics were comparable within Groups S and D. Transplant outcomes were comparable within Groups S and D, including liver and kidney CIT, warm ischemia time, and delayed graft function. Lower KDPI kidneys (<34%) were associated with increased patient survival in both groups. Combination of delayed KT and KDPI 1-33% resulted in 100% patient survival at 3-years. These results support that delayed KT in CLKT improves patient survival. The combination of delayed KT and low KDPI offers excellent patient survival up to 3-years. Improved outcomes in the delayed KT group including high KDPI kidneys supports expansion of the donor pool with the use of more ECD and DCD kidneys. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
No Cheers for European Regionalism: EU-Centered Regionalism as a Driver for Global Governance

This chapter presents concluding remarks on the economics and geopolitics of European regionalism. The chapter summarizes the findings of the individual chapters and advances an argument as to the sustainability of the EU-centered model of European regionalism. In the EU’s case, the enmeshing of geopolitics and global competition has redefined state preferences for further integration away from traditional loss-of-sovereignty concerns, adding yet another aspect to the discussion of why states participate in regional integration in an era of globalization. The principal conclusion drawn from this research is that the sustainability of EU regionalism depends on its ability to manage the external environment and influence the choices of nonmembers to create cooperative frameworks.
F3: Circuits and architectures for wireless sensing, radar and imaging

Remote sensing has become an increasingly important area of development in the last few years. Various kinds of signals are used: electromagnetic waves at RF and mm-wave frequencies, infrared and visible light, and acoustic waves. These sensors also require sophisticated signal conditioning and signal processing to extract relevant information from background clutter. This forum gives an overview of circuits, sensors and entire systems that are based on these technologies.
Work-related nonfatal injuries in Alaska's aviation industry, 2000-2013.

Abstract Aviation is a critical component of life in Alaska, connecting communities off the road system across the state. Crash-related fatalities in the state are well understood and many intervention efforts have been aimed at reducing aircraft crashes and resulting fatalities; however, nonfatal injuries among workers who perform aviation-related duties have not been studied in Alaska. This study aimed to characterize hospitalized nonfatal injuries among these workers using data from the Alaska Trauma Registry. During 2000–2013, 28 crash-related and 89 non-crash injuries were identified, spanning various occupational groups. Falls were a major cause of injuries, accounting for over half of non-crash injuries. Based on the study findings, aviation stakeholders should review existing policies and procedures regarding aircraft restraint systems, fall protection, and other injury prevention strategies. To supplement these findings, further study describing injuries that did not result in hospitalization is recommended.
Training flatworms in a van Oye maze

Classical conditioning by light-shock pairing and two-choice (left-right or light-dark) maze situations, the methods most widely used to train planarian worms, always introduce ambiguities and confounding factors in experimental design. The neutrality of light as a conditional stimulus is only relative (unconditional response to light by naive worms may resemble the conditional response sought in the experiment). It is difficult, therefore, to define conditioning operationally in such a way as to exclude sensitization rigidly from the interpretation of results. It is apparent that electric shock also has disadvantages as a stimulus for use with planarian worms. Shock, when applied to worms, is “whole body” shock which must exert its effect by simultaneous depolarization of a great many cells. The physiological consequences of this have not been defined. It is not at all certain that this experimental design is comparable to similar experiments on vertebrates in which shock, as the unconditional stimulus, is applied to an appendage and the response of the animal is mediated through neuronal channels.
A Call to Service: Social Justice Is a Public Health Issue

Physicians have a responsibility to grapple with the conditions their patients face, which should lead them to consider ways to help patients in the broadest and most effective ways, and that would entail ameliorating problems that affect health through a public health approach to practicing medicine.
Extraction of Pneumococcus Type XIV Polysaccharide

The Polysaccharide is isolated from the autolysate of Type XIV Pneumococcus cells and purified by deproteinization and by repeated precipitation using sodium acetate containing ethyl alcohol. This isolation procedure is based on the publication of Goebel, Beeson, and Hoagland (1939).
Abstract 1480: Overexpression of histone H3.1 induced cell malignant transformation and mutation of H3.1 C96/110A further induced chromatin instability

Histones are major proteins in chromatin and are important for chromatin structure and gene expression. Canonical histones are defined as a group of replication-dependent histone proteins and are mainly synthesized during S phase of the cell cycle. Their mRNAs are devoid of poly-adenylated tails, but end up with a stem loop structure, which can be targeted by proteins such as stem-loop binding proteins (SLBP) for processing, exportation, and degradation. In our previous studies, arsenic exposure was found to be associated with reduced levels of SLBP and accumulation of poly-adenylated mRNA of canonical histone H3.1, and ultimately led to malignant transformation of cells. Histone H3.1 and H3.2 are canonical histones and they differ by only one amino acid, Ser96 on H3.2 compared with Cys96 on H3.1, and both of them have a Cys110. Histone H3 is the only histone that contains cysteine. Cysteine (C) is a unique amino acid that is rarely used by nature and it has a reactive thiol side chain that can easily form dimers containing disulfide bridge when oxidized. Here it is hypothesized that cysteine is vital for the structure and stability of chromatin. To test this hypothesis, we generated an H3.1 mutant H3.1 C96/110A, where two cysteine residues were replaced by alanine (A). The wild-type H3.1 and H3.1 C96/110A were exogenously expressed in the Beas-2B cells. Interestingly, Beas-2B cells ectopically expressing poly-adenylated H3.1 and H3.1 C96/110A showed decreased proliferation rate with cell cycle arrest at S phase, and cells also acquired cancer cell properties such as increased anchorage-independent growth along with migration and invasion ability. It was confirmed that H3.1 C96/110A could be incorporated into chromatin, resulting in increased chromatin instability and DNA damage. In addition, the RNA-seq assay revealed a total of 678 genes that were oppositely expressed between H3.1 and H3.1 C96/110A ectopically expressed cells. These findings emphasize the importance of a balance among histone variants in the cell and an essential role of cysteines in histone H3.1. Citation Format: Yusha Zhu, Hong Sun, Max Costa. Overexpression of histone H3.1 induced cell malignant transformation and mutation of H3.1 C96/110A further induced chromatin instability [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1480.
Tannase improves gallic acid bioaccessibility and maintains the quality of mango juice

The effect of tannase on gallic acid (GA) bioaccessibility and auto‐oxidative browning of mango juice was investigated. After 2 h of simulated gastric digestion, the concentration of bioaccessible GA increased (P < 0.05) 94.3 ± 7.0% in juice treated with 0.5 U mL⁻¹ tannase while juice not treated with tannase had only a 6.3 ± 3.4% increase in GA. During 2–10 h of simulated intestinal digestion, tannase treated juice continued to have a higher concentration (P < 0.05) of bioaccessible GA in comparison to juice that was not treated with tannase. The use of 167 U 100 mL⁻¹ tannase while processing mango juice did not result in any differences (P < 0.05) in browning measured at 420 nm, yet there was significantly higher (P < 0.05) GA in mango juice post‐storage. Processing mango juice with tannase can help improve the bioaccessibility of mango polyphenols without hindering the quality of juice during storage.
Girls in Engineering Draw a Computer Scientist

There is a large gender disparity in computing: women are underrepresented. By exposing girls to computing activities in a summer day camp, and using near-peers as teachers, we found differences in perceptions the girls held about computer scientists between those on the first day of camp with those on the last day of camp. We describe the day camp program, the participants, and the activity used to investigate the girls' perceptions of computer scientists. The "Draw a Computer Scientist' activity was used to determine how the stereotypes of a computer scientist and the day camp have influenced the girls. The only instruction given to the participants was to draw what they thought a computer scientist looked like. Key drawing characteristics were identified and quantified in a blind coding process, then compared across pre-camp and post-camp drawings. The results suggest that exposing girls to other female engineers and engaging them in age-appropriate engineering activities broadened their perspectives on what a computer scientist looks like.
Bike commuters contribution to balance shared bike systems during peak load

Bike sharing systems are a new and rapidly growing feature of modern cities. The most common problem in these systems is the capacity limitation. Demand depends on the station’s location and the time of the day. In this study, we analyze how user behavior incentivized or disincentivized changes depending on the station’s load, and as a result allows the stations to remain functional. We analyzed a dataset of NYC Citi Bike system rides and station states. The study shows that users tend to choose other stations as the number of bikes available decreases, and they are more likely to do so when an incentive is introduced. This paper contributes to the studies of collective use of city infrastructure.
Going to the dogs: One college library’s program to encourage reading literacy

When the Casper College Library was approached by the Office of Student Financial Assistance to develop a reading literacy program, we jumped at the opportunity. The program had to give educational and meaningful job duties to work study students, while also supporting the mission of the college and library. Libraries have long championed reading literacy, so the programming choices were many. How should we plan a program that was innovative, fun, encouraged reading literacy, and would involve students at a largely commuter campus? The answer: we’ll go to the dogs.
Abstract 637: Genome-wide Crispr Screen in Primary Macrophages for Identification of a Regulatory Network for Macrophage Efferocytosis

Defective macrophage efferocytosis drives important diseases including atherosclerosis, whereas enhancing efferocytosis has potential therapeutic benefits. A systematic approach to identify regulat...
Impact of Periocular Vibration on Pain Perceived during Intravitreal Injections.

Abstract Purpose The gate theory of pain hypothesizes that the application of vibration can inhibit transmission of afferent pain receptors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of periocular vibration on pain perceived during intravitreal injections. Design Prospective, cross-sectional, randomized clinical trial. Subjects Non-treatment naive patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Methods Masked subjects with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) were randomized to undergo standardized intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents with or without periocular vibration anesthesia. Topical anesthetic was used in all study eyes before each treatment. Perceived patient pain was measured with a standardized 10-point pain scale. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome measure was perceived patient pain as measured with a standardized 10-point pain scale. Results Eighty eyes of 80 patients with a mean age of 81.2 years were enrolled. Treatments with periocular vibration anesthesia (N=41) were associated with significantly lower pain scores than those without vibration anesthesia (N=39) (1.54 +/- 1.58 versus 2.49 +/-1.90; P=0.01). Conclusion In patients with nAMD, periocular vibration anesthesia reduces pain experienced during intravitreal injections.
Chapter 6 – Puberty

The human life cycle can be divided into five stages: (1) embryonic and fetal existence, (2) infancy and childhood, (3) puberty and adolescence, (4) early and middle adulthood, and (5) late adulthood and old age. This chapter discusses the process of puberty, the internal and environmental factors that influence this process, and the psychological and social adjustments teenagers must make during adolescence.
Molecular Representation: Going Long on Fingerprints

Machine learning for chemistry requires a strategy for representing (featurizing) molecules. In this issue of Chem, Sandfort et al. describe an approach that concatenates 24 fingerprint representations into 71,375-dimensional vectors, which are then used for a variety of supervised learning tasks related to chemical reactivity.
Aging and associative binding in contingency learning.

Cue competition effects are pervasive in young adults’ learning, but evidence for these effects in older adults’ learning is mixed. For example, although older adults show strong forward blocking, ...
A Novel Excitatory and Epileptogenic Effect of Dentate Gyrus Mossy Cells in a Mouse Model of Epilepsy

The sparse activity of hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) granule cells (GCs) is thought to be critical for cognition and behavior, whereas excessive DG activity is thought to contribute to disorders such as temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Glutamatergic mossy cells (MCs) of the DG are potentially critical to normal and pathological functions of the DG because they can regulate GC activity through direct innervation of GCs or indirectly through GABAergic neurons. Here we test the hypothesis that MC excitation of GCs is normally weak, but under special conditions, MC excitation of GCs is robust. Our results show that selectively inhibiting MCs during severe seizures reduced the severity of those seizures, hippocampal injury, and chronic epilepsy. Mechanistic in vitro studies using optogenetics further demonstrated the underappreciated ability of MC axons to robustly excite GCs under specific conditions. These results demonstrate a conditional excitatory effect of MCs in the DG
Evaluation of splenic artery embolization technique for blunt trauma

Introduction: Evaluate outcomes and radiation exposure across different splenic artery embolization (SAE) techniques for splenic injuries secondary to blunt trauma. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients 18 years of age or older who underwent SAE for splenic injury after blunt trauma from January 2011 to June 2019. Results: Sixty patients underwent angiography for splenic injury after blunt traumatic injury. Forty-four patients were embolized. Seventeen patients underwent proximal SAE, and 23 underwent distal SAE. Four patients had a combination of proximal and distal SAE. Eleven patients had subsequent major complications requiring splenectomy. There was no significant difference in major complication rate when comparing proximal SAE 29.4% versus distal SAE 21.7%. No significant difference was noted across the two groups with respect to age or grade of injury. There was a statistically significant difference (P = 0.004) in fluoroscopy time between the proximal 10.1 ± 4.2 min and distal group 17.8 ± 8.7 min. No statically significant difference was found in major complications when comparing coil versus gel foam embolization. Conclusion: Proximal SAE is associated with a significantly lower fluoroscopy time (P = 0.004). Complication rates are similar after proximal and distal SAE. No significant difference was found in major complication rates comparing coil versus gel foam embolization. Minor complications more commonly occurred after proximal embolization with gel-foam.
Method of Moments and Generalized Method of Moments

This article is reproduced from the previous edition, volume 14, pp. 9743–9751, © 2001, Elsevier Ltd.
Topiramate and Zonisamide are Not Effective in Secondary Prevention of Infantile Spasms (P1.246)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of topiramate and zonisamide as secondary prevention medications after the initial resolution of infantile spasms. BACKGROUND: Infantile spasms is a potentially devastating form of childhood epilepsy with multiple first-line therapies: prednisolone, ACTH, vigabatrin, and surgery. Although modest data support the use of topiramate and zonisamide as second line treatment for infantile spasms, there is no available data involving potential utility for preventing relapse after successful response to first-line therapy. DESIGN/METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we catalogued consecutive patients with video-EEG confirmed infantile spasms. Among patients who exhibited a complete response to first-line therapies, we catalogued exposure to zonisamide and topiramate, and the incidence of seizure relapse. The hazard ratio of relapse associated with topiramate and zonisamide exposure was ascertained by multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: 81 consecutive patients with infantile spasms were successfully treated at UCLA with first-line therapies, including prednisolone (n = 12), ACTH (n = 25), vigabatrin (n = 21), and surgery (n = 17). In an effort to prevent relapse, 28 received topiramate and 24 received zonisamide. 41 patients exhibited seizure relapse during a median follow-up of 35.2 months (IQR 17.7-61.3). A reduction in the hazard of seizure relapse was not observed with topiramate and/or zonisamide therapy (HR = 0.74, 95[percnt]CI 0.40-1.38). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that among patients with infantile spasms who respond to first-line therapies, neither topiramate nor zonisamide are associated with a substantial reduction in the risk of seizure relapse. With our relatively small sample size, we estimate that we were sufficiently powered to detect a hazard ratio of 0.54.The use of topiramate and zonisamide as secondary prevention should be guided by at best modest expectations of efficacy with consideration of the known risks of these therapies. Disclosure: Dr. Rajaraman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lay has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sankar has received personal compensation for activities with UCB Pharma, Lundbeck Research USA, Inc., Cyberonics, GlaxoSmithKline, Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Acorda Therapeutics. Dr. Hussain has nothing to disclose.
X Window System Survival Guide

Logging in to a Unix system from a console typically initiates a graphical desktop environment that is similar to the Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh desktops. Logging in remotely to a Unix system, however, typically limits the user to a small text-only window, which is unable to launch graphical applications. This appendix describes the two main options for overcoming this obstacle: a Virtual Network Computer (VNC) and the X Window System.
Cross-cultural invariance of consumers' price perception measures: Eastern Asian perspective

Purpose – In response to the impact of market globalization and concerns over the universality of marketing measures, this study seeks to examine the measurement invariance of consumers' price perception scales cross‐culturally with samples drawn from four Eastern Asian countries, i.e. China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand, using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA). In addition, this study further examines the differences and similarities in the mean levels of consumers' price perceptions across the four samples.Design/methodology/approach – A convenience sample of undergraduate college students was employed. A total of 958 students with business‐related majors completed a questionnaire in Beijing, China; Seoul, South Korea; Tainan, Taiwan; and Chonburi, Thailand.Findings – Having established psychometric properties and demonstrated the partial scalar invariance of measurements and structural parameters, the results indicated that the consumers' price perception scale containing five dimens...
Alloisoleucine differentiates the branched‐chain aminoacidemia of Zucker and dietary obese rats

Objective Circulating branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are elevated in obesity and this has been linked to obesity comorbidities. However it is unclear how obesity affects alloisoleucine, a BCAA and pathognomonic marker of branched-chain keto acid dehydrogenase complex (BCKDC) disorders. It has been previously established that obese Zucker rats exhibit BCKDC impairments in fat and other tissues, whereas BCKDC impairments in adipose tissue of DIO rats are compensated by increased hepatic BCKDC activity. Therefore, alloisoleucine was investigated in these two obesity models. Methods Amino acids were extracted from plasma and measured using ultra performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Results Plasma alloisoleucine was 238% higher in obese compared to lean Zucker rats. This elevation was greater than that of other BCAAs (107-124%). DIO rats had no significant change in alloisoleucine, despite elevations in other BCAAs (15-66%). Conclusions Alloisoleucine was elevated in obese Zucker but not DIO rats consistent with known global impairments of BCKDC in Zucker but not DIO rats. Cytotoxic branched-chain ketoacids (BCKAs) accumulate in genetic disorders affecting BCKDC. BCKAs increase reactive oxygen species, stress kinase activation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Inasmuch as these factors underlie obesity comorbidities, it may important to identify obese individuals with elevated alloisoleucine.
Genetics of Pediatric Epilepsy

As the genetic etiologies of an expanding number of epilepsy syndromes are revealed, the complexity of the phenotype genotype correlation increases. As our review will show, multiple gene mutations cause different epilepsy syndromes, making identification of the specific mutation increasingly more important for prognostication and often more directed treatment. Examples of that include the need to avoid specific drugs in Dravet syndrome and the ongoing investigations of the potential use of new directed therapies such as retigabine in KCNQ2-related epilepsies, quinidine in KCNT1-related epilepsies, and memantine in GRIN2A-related epilepsies.
Purification and characterization of transcription factor IIIC2.

Abstract Transcription factor IIIC2 (TFIIIC2), together with other transcription factors (TFIIIB and TFIIIC1), is required for the in vitro transcription of tRNA and adenovirus VA genes by RNA polymerase III. Previous studies have shown that TFIIIC2 is a high molecular weight (approximately 500,000) protein which binds with high affinity to the B-box promoter element of tRNA-type genes. A polypeptide of Mr approximately 250,000 is in close association with DNA in the specific complex between TFIIIC2 and the B-box promoter element. Here we describe the purification of TFIIIC2 by a factor of approximately 25,000 from nuclear extracts of HeLa cells by ionic exchange, affinity, and hydrophobic chromatography and sedimentation velocity centrifugation. The most purified fractions contain polypeptides of approximately 230 kDa (corresponding to the polypeptide which can be cross-linked to VA1 DNA), 110, 100, 80, and 60 kDa which co-sediment with TFIIIC2 B-box specific binding and in vitro transcriptional activities.
Quality Improvement Under Budgetary and Life-Cycle Constraints

The cost of quality improvement is a major consideration for companies that have budgetary constraints, produce limited amounts of product, or have a product that is late in the product life cycle. A cost/savings model based on the Taguchi loss function..
Genetic effects of ethylene dibromide in Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila, an organism known to be one of the best available systems for mutation detection, can also be used for detecting very low concentrations of airborne mutagens. 1,2-Dibromoethane also called ethylene dibromide (EDB), is a chemical widely used in industry, agriculture, and homes. EDB was selected as a test chemical in these studies since its mutagenic properties had previously been demonstrated in Drosophila (1) and in Tradescantia (2). In Tradescantia, extensive data on the dose versus mutation relation were available and these data were considered useful in evaluating the comparative sensitivity of the two systems for detecting airborne mutagens.
Core top calibration of Mg/Ca in tropical foraminifera: Refining paleotemperature estimation

[1] Optimal use of Mg/Ca as a paleotemperature proxy requires establishing calibrations for different species of foraminifera and quantifying the influence of dissolution. To achieve this goal, we have measured Mg/Ca and δ18O in a series of tropical and subtropical core tops, including four depth transects: the Ceara Rise, the Sierra Leone Rise, and the Rio Grande Plateau in the Atlantic, and the Ontong Java Plateau in the Pacific, focusing on spinose mixed layer dwelling species Globigerinoides ruber and Globigerinoides sacculifer, and nonspinose thermocline dwelling Neogloboquadrina dutertrei. Shell Mg/Ca in G. sacculifer is 5–15% lower than in G. ruber, while N. dutertrei Mg/Ca is 49–55% lower than in G. ruber. This statistically significant offset has allowed us to establish different calibrations for each species. Multilinear regression analysis was used to develop calibration equations that include a correction term for the dissolution effect on Mg/Ca in foraminiferal calcite. Presented in this paper are two sets of calibrations; one set using core depth as a dissolution correction and another using ΔCO32− as a dissolution parameter. The calibrations suggest that G. ruber is the most accurate recorder of surface temperature, while G. sacculifer records temperatures below the surface at 20–30 m. The depth habitat of N. dutertrei is more uncertain, owing to the wide range in habitat depths depending on hydrographic conditions, but on average, Mg/Ca and δ18O data suggest it is at ∼50 m. Of the three species, N. dutertrei is the most sensitive to dissolution (up to 23% decrease in shell Mg/Ca per km), while G. sacculifer is the most resistant.
Protein Synthesis in Dextran Sulfate-treated Ascites Tumor Cells

Treatment of ascites tumor cells with dextran sulfate resulted in a marked inhibition of the incorporation of [14C]valine into protein in the presence of a high Na+ medium. Amino acid incorporation was restored after i.p. injection of these cells into mice or by exposure of the cells to ascites fluid in vitro. In a medium high in K+ and low in Na+, [14C]valine incorporation into protein took place in dextran treated cells. Rotenone inhibited the reaction, which could be restored by addition of both inorganic phosphate and either glucose or glucose 6-phosphate. Quercetin, an inhibitor of the Na+-K+-ATPase, markedly depressed the incorporation of [14C]valine into protein in intact sdviyrd tumor cells in a high Na+ medium. There was little or no inhibition of protein synthesis in dextran sulfate treated cells when tested in a high K+-low Na+ medium. These experiments suggest a relationship between protein synthesis and the operation of the membranous Na+-K+-ATPase.
Impact of antecedent climate on fire regimes in coastal California

Severe fire weather is a major determinant of fire size in coastal California; however, it is unclear to what extent antecedent climate also controls fire activity. This study investigates the relationship between fire activity and climate in central coastal and southern California. Climate variables included the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), total monthly precipitation, mean monthly maximum temperature and the autumn and winter Southern Oscillation Indices (SOI). For both the central coast and the south coast regions there was no significant relationship between growing season PDSI, precipitation or temperature and number of fires. When examined by season, summer temperatures were positively correlated with number of fires in the central coast and autumn PDSI and precipitation were negatively correlated with fire occurrence in the south coast region. Area burned was not correlated with any current year climate variables in southern California although, in the central coast, drought during spring and autumn were correlated, but explained less than 10% of the variation in the area burned. Although there was a modest relationship between the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and local climate parameters, there was only a relatively weak relationship with fire activity. The importance of autumn foehn winds is illustrated by the observation that large fires occur most commonly during the autumn, regardless of PDSI. Antecedent climate, however, does appear to play some role in determining the length of the fire season on these landscape as PDSI is consistently related to the occurrence of large fires that occur before or after the autumn months.