cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional and Survival Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Total Glossectomy Compared with Total Laryngoglossectomy

Objective. To compare functional and survival outcomes for patients undergoing total glossectomy (TG) or total glossectomy plus laryngectomy (TGL) for advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue.Study Design. Case series with chart review.Setting. Academic tertiary referral center.Subjects and Methods. There were 30 included patients (20 TG, 10 TGL). Outcomes included tumor recurrence, disease-free survival, and functional data (swallowing, gastrostomy tube dependence, speech, airway).Results. Mean patient age was 56 years with a male predominance (90%). Compared with TG, TGL was more commonly performed for recurrent tumors (90% vs 55%, P = .06). Perineural invasion and extracapsular extension occurred more commonly in the TGL group (80% vs 50%, P = .12). At 12 months postoperatively, 61% of TG patients had disease recurrence compared with 40% of TGL patients (P = .43), and 12-month disease-free survival was 40% (TG) and 50% (TGL). Functionally, more TG patients were totally gastrostomy tube depe...
Estimation of chemoreflex loop gain using pseudorandom binary CO/sub 2/ stimulation

The authors have developed a method for deriving estimates of the chemoreflex control loop gain (LG) from the ventilatory response to inhaled CO/sub 2/, modulated between 0% and 5% in the form of a pseudorandom binary sequence. The corresponding changes in alveolar (and thus, arterial) CO/sub 2/ result from two components: (1) the direct effect of breath-to-breath changes in inhaled CO/sub 2/ and (2) the chemoreflex-mediated changes in ventilation. LG between 0.01 and 0.03 Hz, the frequency range pertinent to periodic breathing, was estimated by computationally delineating the first component from the overall ventilatory response. The method was tested against simulated and experimental data. In both cases, the authors found strong correlations between their predictions and LG magnitude estimates derived by other methods. However, LG phase estimates mere considerably more variable when compared to model predictions based on small-signal analysis. The authors propose that their method, which uses data from a single test procedure lasting <10 min, may be more useful than traditional tests of chemoresponsiveness for the quantitative assessment of respiratory control stability during changes in sleep-wake state.
Site fidelity and movement patterns of wild subadult red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus (Linnaeus), within a salt marsh‐dominated estuarine landscape

During summer and autumn 2002, 12 subadult red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus (Linnaeus) (261–385 mm total length) were surgically implanted with ultrasonic transmitters and released within the upper reach of the Duplin River Estuary, Sapelo Island, GA, USA. A fixed array of submerged receivers automatically recorded the time that individual tagged fish were detected at 10 sites within the study area. Ten red drum implanted with transmitters were located within the receiver array for 6–96 days post-release. All fish exhibited a high degree of site fidelity at low tide, and movements appeared to be influenced by both tidal and diel cycles. Dispersal on flood tides was observed, but destinations (upriver or downriver) and paths taken (main channel, intertidal channels or flooded marsh surface) varied among individuals. Flood-tide movements were generally restricted to daylight hours. If the start of flood tide occurred after sunset, fish remained stationary. Variation in details of movement patterns among individuals notwithstanding, predictable behaviour and strong site fidelity make subadult red drum vulnerable to recreational fishing in the restricted tidal channels of the tidal marsh–estuary complex. However, the same predictability provides fisheries managers a means of targeting specific areas for protection of over-fished populations of this species.
The Role of T-Lymphocytes in Hypercholesterolemia-Induced Leukocyte-Endothelial Interactions

Objective:Hypercholesterolemia promotes the adhesion of leukocytes to vascular endothelium in large and microscopic blood vessels. Lymphocytes that can modulate endothelial cell adhesion molecule expression have been implicated in the altered structure and function of large arterial vessels associated with chronic hypercholesterolemia. This study assesses the contribution of CD4+and CD8+T-cells to acute inflammatory responses observed in the microcirculation of hypercholesterolemic mice. Methods:Intravital microscopy was used to quantify baseline leukocyte–endothelial cell interactions in cremasteric postcapillary venules of wild-type (WT) and severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice placed on a normal (ND) or high-cholesterol (HC) diet for 2 weeks. A group of SCID-HC mice received splenocytes from WT-HC mice (WT→SCID). Separate WT-HC groups were depleted of neutrophils or CD4+and/or CD8+T-cells. Results:WT-HC mice, compared with WT-ND, exhibited exaggerated leukocyte adherence and emigration. These le...
Physical fitness, dietary intake and metabolic control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Purpose We examined whether physical fitness and dietary intake predicted better glycemic control and lipid profile in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1DM).
Modelling of energy usage for the refining of ethanol from corn

A mathematical model is developed and presented for calculating the energy usage and costs for the dry milling corn-ethanol production process. The model is formulated into a spreadsheet to facilitate the study of the process. While considering the whole process, the model focuses on the primary energy-consuming cooking and distillation processes. This model is a feed-backwards model, which means process input requirements are calculated based on user-entered values for total annual plant production and various process parameters. Based on these input requirements, the total energy usage and the cost and amount of fuel used during the process are calculated. The accuracy of the model was verified through comparisons between modelling results and published data. This model can be used as a source for investigating other potential energy sources, such as the incorporation of solar energy and wind energy, for use in the ethanol production process.
Signatures of Emerging Subsurface Structures in Acoustic Power Maps of the Sun

We show that under certain conditions, subsurface structures in the solar interior can alter the average acoustic power observed at the photosphere above them. By using numerical simulations of wave propagation, we show that this effect is large enough for it to be potentially used for detecting emerging active regions before they appear on the surface. In our simulations, simplified subsurface structures are modeled as regions with enhanced or reduced acoustic wave speed. We investigate the dependence of the acoustic power above a subsurface region on the sign, depth, and strength of the wave-speed perturbation. Observations from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/Michelson Doppler Imager (SOHO/MDI) prior and during the emergence of NOAA active region 10488 are used to test the use of acoustic power as a potential precursor of the emergence of magnetic flux.
The evolution of air transport systems: a pictorial review

The air transport of patients began over seventy years ago in primitive biplanes. The ability to fly over the obstacles of the battlefield created enthusiasm in both the military and the medical communities. With the advent of vertical flight, the need for conventional runways was obviated allowing for casualties to be transported directly from the site of injury. After their introduction as air ambulances in 1945, helicopters soon supplanted ground ambulances with their speed and versatility. By the mid-1960s, civilian casualties were being transported by helicopter as regional trauma care developed in the United States. Today aeromedical programs continue to expand rapidly, even as closer scrutiny of their efficacy, cost, and safety are explored. A pictorial review highlighting the evolution of air transport systems is presented.
A uniform GTD treatment of surface diffraction by impedance and coated cylinders

In the context of the uniform geometrical theory of diffraction (UTD), computation of the scattered fields near the shadow boundary of a smooth convex surface requires values for the Pekeris-integral function p*(/spl xi/,q). While in a small number of cases such as the case of perfect conductivity (q=0 and q/spl rarr//spl infin/), tabulated values of the function are available; in the general case, these values must be obtained by some numerical method. A procedure for approximating p*(/spl xi/,q) by residue-series means is introduced. In contrast with traditional residue-series representations, the new procedure requires only a limited knowledge of pole locations even in the shadow boundary transition region and thereby extends the regime of practical applicability of residue-series methods beyond the deep shadow. It is demonstrated that the new procedure can be combined with an earlier residue-series representation derived by Hussar and Albus (1991), and with geometrical optics, to provide a computationally efficient procedure for computing fields scattered by an impedance or coated cylinder.
Abstract 346: Involvement of Non-canonical Wnt-PKC-JNK Pathway in Angiogenesis Enhanced by MSC Overexpressing Wnt11

Wnt11 is a key regulator of cardiac muscle cell proliferation and differentiation during heart development. Here, we hypothesized that preprogramming mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) with Wnt11 enhanced angiogenesis in ischemic myocardium. Methods and Results: An acute myocardial infarction model in SD rats was developed by ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. Rat bone marrow derived MSC were transduced with Wnt11 gene (MSC-Wnt11) and transplanted into ischemic border area. The animals treated with MSC-Wnt11 showed a significantly improved cardiac function. Furthermore, fluorescent microsphere and histological studies revealed an increased blood flow and blood vessel density in MSC-Wnt11 transplanted animals. In vitro studies using conditioned medium (CdM) obtained from MSC-Wnt11 (CdM-Wnt11) showed an increased the length and number of capillary-like structure (CLS) formation and promoted migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), which was similar to that HUVECs were directly treated with recombinant Wnt11 proteins. However, these effects could be abolished by using a Wnt11 neutralizing antibody. Real-time PCR analysis indicated that the expression of novel PKCs including PKCδ, PKCe, PKCη, and PKCθ was significantly upregulated in HUVECs transduced with Wnt11 (H-Wnt11). Immunostaining and western blotting results showed that the protein levels of p-pan-PKC and p-JNK as well as VEGFA in H-Wnt11 were significantly higher than that in control HUVECs. However, no difference was detected in the expression of either p-p38 or p-ERK between H-Wnt11 and its control. Furthermore, the enhanced CLS formation and migration of HUVECs mediated by CdM-Wnt11 were partially abolished by using JNK inhibitor, SP600125 (5 μM) and PKC inhibitor, Calphostin-C (0.1 μM). Conclusion: Our results demonstrated, for the first time, that Wnt11 delivered by MSC improved cardiac function and promotes angiogenesis in ischemic myocardium, which may be associated with the activation of the non-canonical Wnt-PKC-JNK pathway.
Comparitive analysis of an automotive air conditioning systems operating with CO2 and R134a

This paper evaluates performance merits of CO2 and R134a automotive air conditioning systems using semi-theoretical cycle models. The R134a system had a current-production configuration,which consisted of a compressor, condenser,expansion device,and evaporator. The CO 2 system was additionally equipped with a liquid-line/suction-line heat exchanger. Using these two systems,an effort was made to derive an equitable comparison of performance; the components in both systems were equivalent and differences in thermodynamic and transport properties were accounted for in the simulations. The analysis showed R134a having a better COP than CO2 with the COP disparity being dependent on compressor speed (system capacity) and ambient temperature. For a compressor speed of 1000 RPM,the COP of CO 2 was lower by 21% at 32.2 � C and by 34% at 48.9 � C. At higher speeds and ambient temperatures,the COP disparity was even greater. The entropy generation calculations indicated that the large entropy generation in the gas cooler was the primary cause for the lower performance of CO2. # 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd and IIR. All rights reserved.
Integrated transceiver arrays for multiple antenna systems

In this paper, we present area-efficient multiple antenna transceiver front ends. A portion of the greatly increased capacity (compared to a single antenna system) of the multiple antenna system is traded off for relaxed circuit noise requirements. This allows circuits without physically large on-chip inductors to be used, resulting in significant chip area savings. Comparing the area and noise performance between a narrowband low noise amplifier (LNA) and a broadband LNA shows a simulated 3 dB increase in noise figure but a threefold decrease in area. Furthermore, multiple receiver front ends for a proposed four transmit, four receive antenna (4/spl times/4) system have a smaller area than some reported single front ends.
Emotional Well-Being in Recently Bereaved Widows: A Dynamical Systems Approach

A dynamical systems approach was used to model the intraindividual variability in emotional well-being following conjugal loss. Well-being in a sample of 19 recently bereaved older adult widows was measured every day for 3 months. The pattern of variability of well-being was hypothesized to be an oscillating process that damps across time (i.e., large swings followed by a gradual damping). Results indicated that there was significant patterned variability in the emotional well-being adjustment that can be modeled by a linear oscillator model (R2=.77), in addition to an overall positive trend. Applying dynamical systems analyses to capture variability and subsequent well-being trajectories following spousal loss is an important step in delineating the complex adjustment to widowhood.
Uptake and transformation of trichloroethylene by edible garden plants

Edible garden plants (carrots, spinach, and tomatoes) were grown to maturity inside continuous air-flow bioreactors, and were regularly irrigated with synthetic groundwater containing a mixture of '4C-labeled and unlabeled TCE. Two dose levels were tested (about 560 Fg/L and 140 Fg/L). Following TCE exposure for 31 to 106 days, different plant tissues and bioreactor compartments were analyzed for the ~4C label. Radiolabel recoveries ranged from about 50% for low-dose reactors to about 70% for high-dose reactors. Most of the recovered ~4C label volatilized (74-95%) and was trapped in the Orbo ~ tubes that filtered the air exiting the reactors. A portion of the recovered label (5-25%) was sorbed to the soil. Although the percentage of the recovered ~4C label found in plant material was relatively small (1-2%), the concentration of ~4C label in edible plant tissue was higher than in the surrounding soil. On a harvest weight basis, accumulation factors ranged from 2.6 in high-dose tomato reactors to 32 in low-dose spinach reactors. If the radiolabel found by combustion of plants was TCE, the concentrations in edible tissue would range from 152 ppb for high-dosed tomatoes to 580 ppb for high-dosed spinach. However, neither TCE nor its commonly reported transformation products were detected by Purge & Trap GC-MS. Furthermore, the ~4C label found in plant tissue could not be extracted into the organic solvent CS2 or into the inorganic solvent 10 N H2SO4. This suggests that TCE was taken up, transformed, and bound to plant tissue. Bound residues are generally believed to have lower toxicological effects than the parent compound. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved
Metallic wire array characterization and waveguide design for terahertz applications

This paper will present a method of characterizing the first electromagnetic bandgap of metallic wire arrays in order to design waveguides around 100 to 300 GHz. A model will be presented describing the behavior of metallic wire array waveguides. It will be shown that the bandwidth of the metallic wire array waveguide can be tailored by modifying the behaviour of the metallic wire array.
Ventricular function and long-term pacing in children with congenital complete atrioventricular block.

Objective: To determine the sequela of right ventricular pacing in children with congenital complete atrioventricular block. Background: Pacing is a well-accepted therapy for patients with congenital complete atrioventricular block. The long-term sequela of right ventricular pacing in this population has not been well described. Methods: We performed a cohort study on all patients with congenital complete atrioventricular block who underwent pacemaker implantation at our institution from 1972 to 2004. Patients with associated congenital heart disease or ventricular dysfunction prior to pacemaker implantation were excluded. Results: A total of 63 patients were included in the study. The median age at pacemaker implantation was 6.5 years, with an average follow-up of 9.9 years. The cumulative dysfunction free survival at 20 years was 92%. In total, four patients (6%) were noted to develop LV dysfunction an average of 15.1 years after pacemaker implantation. Of 30 patients who were paced for >10 years, only three (10%) developed echocardiographic evidence of LV dysfunction. Right ventricular apex pacing and prolonged QRS duration were found to be predictive of decreased long-term LV systolic function (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Left ventricular dysfunction in patients with congenital complete atrioventricular block is a rare finding, even in those who have been paced for more than 10 years. Right ventricular apex pacing and prolonged QRS duration may be associated with decreased ventricular function over time. At this time, with such a low incidence of cardiac dysfunction, right ventricular pacing should be considered an acceptable first-line therapy in this population.
The Ethics of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropic Venturesl

Andrew Carnegie popularized the principles of charity and stewardship in 1899 when he published The Gospel of Wealth. At the time, Carnegie's ideas were the exception rather than the rule. He believed that businesses and wealthy individuals were the caretakers or stewards of their property holding it in trust for the benefit of society as a whole.
Molecular Epidemiologic Evaluation of Endocarditis Due to Oerskovia turbata and CDC Group A-3 Associated with Contaminated Homograft Valves

Oerskovia turbata is an unusual bacterial cause of endocarditis and septicemia in immunocompromised patients. In this study, we compared 12 isolates from a 1975 medical center cluster, 11 originally identified as O. turbata (four from the blood of a homograft aortic valve-associated endocarditis patient and seven from contaminated homograft valves) and one CDC group A-3 strain from the blood of a second endocarditis patient with fatal outcome, with eight control strains from unrelated locations. The control strains included type and reference strains of O. turbata, Cellulomonas hominis, and CDC group A-3. The four blood isolates from the first patient and six of the valve isolates shared identical biochemical, antimicrobial susceptibility, and BglI ribotype patterns that differed from the second patient's isolate and control strains. The blood isolate from the second patient and the remaining valve isolate shared a phenotypic and genotypic profile and were phenotypically identical to, but epidemiologically different from, the CDC group A-3 reference strain with the strain-specific enzyme. Also, these isolates differed from the type strain and the other reference strains of C. hominis and O. turbata. Our results indicate that the four blood isolates from the first patient and six of the homograft valve isolates represent a single clone of O. turbata associated with endocarditis. Additionally, our results indicate that the blood isolate from the second patient and one of the homograft valve isolates differ from O. turbata and C. hominis and represent a unique clone of CDC group A-3 associated with fatal endocarditis.
Perceptual quality feedback based progressive frame-level refreshing for robust video communication

In this paper, we propose an encoder side error resilience technique, namely the progressive group of picture (PGOP), which is well suited for rate controlled real-time video transmission over wireless channels. The PGOP scheme can be seen as an alternative approach to the group of picture (GOP) that periodically uses intra-frames (I-frames) for low bit-rate channels. This is because: (1) the PGOP scheme is shown to completely stop error propagation in a timely manner; (2) the PGOP scheme avoids the bit rate fluctuation problem associated with I-frames by using a progressive intra-updating scheme. We use the PGOP scheme in a perceptual quality feedback framework, and apply a novel online algorithm that helps shape the bit rate and explores the maximum recovery capability of PGOP. The performance of our scheme is demonstrated in a wireless LAN environment.
Transference-focused psychotherapy training during residency: an aide to learning psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Abstract Competency in psychodynamic psychotherapy is a requirement for residency training in psychiatry. However, for a variety of reasons, learning psychodynamic psychotherapy is difficult for residents. In this article, we share our experience in an elective in Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP), a manualized treatment for severe personality disorders. Originally, this elective was conceptualized as an advanced component of training, offering specialized training in treating a subgroup of patients with severe personality disorders with a specific type of psychodynamic psychotherapy. However, contrary to the expectations of the residents and the training director, the elective in TFP strengthened understanding of core components of basic psychodynamic psychotherapy with all patients, not just those with severe personality disorders. We discuss various challenges in learning psychodynamic psychotherapy and how TFP served to address them. Two case vignettes illustrate several key points.
Surface vs. Contour Plots for the Presentation of Three-Dimensional Data

Contour plots generally provide a better approach to displaying three-dimensional continuous data than surface plots.
Enhancing Collaboration through the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) is a discipline that emphasizes instructional development and enhanced student learning through the dissemination of practitioner theory and experience. The discipline, however, primarily considers the role and perspectives of higher education and K-12 faculty. Yet SoTL also has pragmatic implications for librarians as it promotes instructional improvement, collaborative research, networking, and professional development across the academy.
Stealthy malware traffic - Not as innocent as it looks

Malware is constantly evolving. Although existing countermeasures have success in malware detection, corresponding counter-countermeasures are always emerging. In this study, a counter-countermeasure that avoids network-based detection approaches by camouflaging malicious traffic as an innocuous protocol is presented. The approach includes two steps: Traffic format transformation and side-channel massage (SCM). Formattransforming encryption (FTE) translates protocol syntax to mimic another innocuous protocol while SCM obscures traffic side-channels. The proposed approach is illustrated by transforming Zeus botnet (Zbot) Command and Control (C&C) traffic into smart grid Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) data. The experimental results show that the transformed traffic is identified by Wireshark as synchrophasor protocol, and the transformed protocol fools current side-channel attacks. Moreover, it is shown that a real smart grid Phasor Data Concentrator (PDC) accepts the false PMU data.
Photo-modulated dynamic competition between metallic and insulating phases in a layered manganite

We show evidence that the competition between the antiferromagnetic metallic phase and the charge- and orbital-ordered insulating phase at the reentrant phase boundary of a layered manganite, LaSr2Mn2O7, can be manipulated using ultrafast optical excitation. The time-dependent evolution of the Jahn-Teller superlattice reflection, the indicator of the formation of charge and orbital order, was measured at different laser fluences. The laser-induced change in the Jahn-Teller reflection intensity shows a reversal of sign between earlier (∼10 ns) and later (∼150 ns) times during the relaxation of the sample. This is consistent with a physics picture whereby the laser excitation modulates the local competition between the metallic and the insulating phases.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Density Functional Theory Analysis of Uranium and Thorium Complexes Containing Nitrogen-Rich 5-Methyltetrazolate Ligands

Two nitrogen-rich, isostructural complexes of uranium and thorium, (C5Me5)2U[η2-(N,N′)-tetrazolate]2 (7) and (C5Me5)2Th[η2-(N,N′)-tetrazolate]2 (8), containing 5-methyltetrazolate, have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, electrochemical methods, UV–visible–near-IR spectroscopy, and variable-temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations yield favorable free energies of formation (approximately −375 kJ/mol) and optimized structures in good agreement with the experimental crystal structures. Additionally, calculated NMR chemical shifts of 7 and 8 are in good agreement with the variable-temperature 1H NMR experiments. Time-dependent DFT calculations of both complexes yield UV–visible spectroscopic features that are consistent with experiment and provide assignments of the corresponding electronic transitions. The electronic transitions in the UV–visible spectroscopic region are attributed to C5Me5 ligand-to-metal charge transfer...
The Cmr complex: an RNA-guided endoribonuclease.

The CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)–Cas (CRISPR-associated) system protects prokaryotes from infection by viruses and other potential genome invaders. This system represents an inheritable and adaptable immune system that is mediated by large ribonucleoprotein complexes, the CRISPR–Cas effector complexes. The Cmr complex is unique among CRISPR–Cas effector complexes in that it destroys invading RNA and not DNA. To date, the Cmr complexes from two species have been characterized in vitro and, strikingly, they degrade RNA via distinct mechanisms. The possible in vivo targets, as well as our current knowledge of the Cmr complex, is reviewed in the present paper.
Horses, Guns, and Smallpox

In the century before Lewis and Clark, Indian peoples dealt with the triple impact on their lives of newly introduced horses, firearms, and epidemic diseases, which penetrated the plains far in advance of white traders and settlers and generated dramatic changes in Indian culture, social organization, trade, warfare, and tribal location. The equestrian hunting peoples enjoyed unprecedented freedom and prosperity in this era, but their new way of life was already being undermined as killer diseases followed horses and trade goods through Indian country and European guns injected a deadly new element into intertribal relations. Biological disasters and escalating warfare with powerful new weapons eroded the Plains Indians’ capacity for resistance to American expansion long before American soldiers and settlers invaded their lands.
The Prevalence of Anemia in Diabetic Patients with Normal Kidney Function

Background: Anemia, in patients with diabetes, is commonly associated with impaired renal function secondary to diabetic nephropathy. Many studies have analyzed this association of anemia in diabetic patients and have attributed anemia to reduced renal function. However, there has been no known systematic analysis done to evaluate for the prevalence and predictors of anemia in patients with diabetes in the absence of overt nephropathy. Objective: This retrospective study is designed to measure the prevalence of anemia in diabetic patients with normal renal function of estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR) greater than 90 ml/min/1.73m2 and to analyze the presence of other independent risk factors. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 200 medical charts of diabetic patients (age > 18) visiting the outpatient endocrine clinic in our institution between January 2015 and June 2015 to identify the prevalence of anemia with and without diabetic nephropathy and any other associated factors. Results: The prevalence of anemia (defined by the World Health Organization is a Hemoglobin level of less than 13 mg/dl in men and less than 12 mg/dl in women) in our 200 diabetic patients was 22% (44 out of the 200). Out of the 44 anemic patients, 41% had anemia with normal renal function (18 out of 44), 4 men and 14 women aged between 38-80 years old. From the 18 patients with normal renal function, 5 had iron deficiency anemia and 1 had autoimmune disease, while the remaining 12 patients (27% of anemic patients) did not have any known cause of anemia such as renal insufficiency, infection, chronic inflammatory disease, vitamin B12 or folate deficiencies, hemolysis, or acute/chronic blood loss. Conclusion: Many studies have highlighted an association between anemia and nephropathy in diabetic patients. This retrospective analysis suggests there is a high prevalence of anemia with unidentified etiology in diabetic population. The exact mechanism of such anemia is not fully understood. It is hypothesized to be likely secondary to direct glucose toxicity to erythrocyte precursors in the bone marrow or from oxidative stress to mature erythrocytes. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the underlying pathophysiology of anemia in this particular setting. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Yap is essential for retinal progenitor cell cycle progression and RPE cell fate acquisition in the developing mouse eye

Yap functions as a transcriptional regulator by acting together with sequence-specific DNA binding factors and transcription cofactors to mediate cell proliferation in developing epithelial tissues and tumors. An upstream kinase cascade controls nuclear localization and function in response to partially identified exogenous signals, including cell-to-cell contact. Nevertheless, its role in CNS development is poorly understood. In order to investigate Yap function in developing CNS, we characterized the cellular outcomes after selective Yap gene ablation in developing ocular tissues. When Yap was lost, presumptive retinal pigment epithelium acquired anatomical and molecular characteristics resembling those of the retinal epithelium rather than of RPE, including loss of pigmentation, pseudostratified epithelial morphology and ectopic induction of markers for retinal progenitor cells, like Chx10, and neurons, like β-Tubulin III. In addition, developing retina showed signs of progressive degeneration, including laminar folding, thinning and cell loss, which resulted from multiple defects in cell proliferation and survival, and in junction integrity. Furthermore, Yap-deficient retinal progenitors displayed decreased S-phase cells and altered cell cycle progression. Altogether, our studies not only illustrate the canonical function of Yap in promoting the proliferation of progenitors, but also shed new light on its evolutionarily conserved, instructive role in regional specification, maintenance of junctional integrity and precise regulation of cell proliferation during neuroepithelial development.
Antitrust Policy Tools & IP Rights: U.S., Transatlantic & International Effects

The paper tracks recent developments in the United States and EU competition systems with regard to the different policy tools used to address matters arising from the intersection of IP and competition policies. The analysis compares the enforcement and advocacy efforts carried out by the different antitrust agencies in the United States and EU. This Article first traces how different authorities with antitrust mandates in the United States have dealt with the issue of balancing the rights of standard essential patent holders with innovation driven public welfare. This article then looks at how the antitrust authorities are using their antitrust statutes (e.g. Section 5 of the FTA Act, merger review provisions) to tackle IP-rights-related issues that have tenuous connections to competition concerns. All of the above issues have been highlighted with the aim to bring attention to the spillover effects that these moves may have in the national, transatlantic and international context. * Principal Researcher at the George Washington University Competition Law Center (www.gwclc.com). The author is grateful for many useful comments from William E. Kovacic and Gargi Yadav. The views expressed here are the author alone. 6 LOPEZ-GALDOS FINAL.DOCX (DO NOT DELETE) 6/17/16 9:42 AM 442 CHICAGO-KENT JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY [Vol 15:441
Plastic modification of the cornea by pneumatic force corrects myopia: Pneumatic keratology

Plastic modification of the cornea by pneumatic force corrects myopia: Pneumatic keratology
Development and Implementation of Catalysts and Membrane Electrode Assemblies Based on Extended Thin Film Electrocatalysts

Fuel cells (and hydrogen generation from renewable electrons) represent tremendous promise in pushing society towards a more sustainable energy system. One key barrier for such a future energy system is the need for platinum group metals for catalysis and the quantities required for efficient performance. It has been a long standing goal to continually increase performance and durability of electrochemical devices, and one promising approach has been the development and implementation of extended thin film electrocatalysts.1Our team has extensively investigated extended surface catalysts as a novel platform for increased performance and durability at lower cost.2,3,4This presentation will highlight the advances of our team in the synthesis and implementation of extended surface electrocatalysts with a focus on PtNi nanowires (NWs) produced by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and spontaneous galvanic displacement (SGD), see Figure 1. While these materials have shown great promise in ex-situ (rotating disc electrode) studies, performance in-situ (fuel cell tests) has not yet fully reflected the performance potential seen in these ex-situ tests. In large part we attribute this to challenges in electrode fabrication and integration. This presentation will present results that focus on the differences between in-situ and ex-situ properties, quantification of performance losses in fuel cell tests, and our efforts to further improve performance and durability of such systems. Figure 1. Polarization curves for PtNiNW based catalysts for catalysts synthesized by spontaneous galvanic displacement (SGD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD). 1. Mark K. Debe, Alison K. Schmoeckel, George D. Vernstrom, Radoslav Atanasoski, Journal of Power Sources 161 (2006) 1002–1011. 2. Shaun Alia, Svitlana Pylypenko, Arrelaine Dameron, KC Neyerlin, Shyam Kocha, Bryan Pivovar, J. Electrochem. Soc. 2016 163(3): F296-F301. 3. Shaun M. Alia, Svitlana Pylypenko, K.C. Neyerlin, Shyam S. Kocha, and Bryan S. Pivovar, J. Electrochem. Soc. 2015 162(12): F1299-F1304. 4. Shaun M. Alia, Svitlana Pylypenko, K.C. Neyerlin, David A. Cullen, Shyam S. Kocha, Bryan S. Pivovar, ACS Catalysis, 4, 2680, 2014. Figure 1
Chronic deep brain stimulation normalizes scalp EEG activity in isolated dystonia

Abstract Objective To investigate cortical activity using scalp EEG in patients with isolated dystonia treated with chronic deep brain stimulation (DBS), on and off stimulation. Methods We analyzed 64-channel scalp EEG in 12 isolated dystonia patients treated with chronic DBS (7 generalized, 5 cervical/segmental; 7 globus pallidus (GP), 5 subthalamic nucleus (STN)), and 20 healthy age-matched controls. Recordings during rest and movement task, and clinical motor scores, were collected with DBS-on and during a 90-min DBS washout. Results Resting state alpha power in the dominant (or contralateral to more dystonic side) motor cortex channel during DBS was comparable to healthy controls, but it increased when DBS was stopped. Resting state and movement-related alpha coherence between bilateral motor cortex channels was increased off DBS. Conclusions Chronic DBS reduces exaggerated alpha oscillations and interhemispheric alpha coherence in the motor cortex of patients with isolated dystonia. Significance These findings complement related studies in Parkinson’s disease and support the view that network desynchronization is a prominent mechanism of DBS in movement disorders.
Novel direct approach for placement of permanent transvenous pacing leads after Fontan procedure

The need for transvenous pacing (patients who have exhausted epicardial options) after a Fontan-type operation has been recognized. Many novel strategies have been proposed, but currently, all of them require additional maneuvers or rerouting of the leads to the pacemaker pocket. In this report, we describe a novel direct approach to transvenous pacing after a Fontan-type operation from a standard, prepectoral approach.
Validation of a novel irritant gas syndrome triage algorithm

Objective: Our objective was to validate a novel irritant gas syndrome agent (IGSA) triage algorithm for use in an emergency department (ED). We assessed efficiency, accuracy, and precision of our IGSA triage algorithm based on signs / symptoms of actual patients. Design: After characterizing the signs / symptoms of an actual IGSA exposure event, we developed and validated the IGSA triage algorithm using a simulated computer exercise to compare the IGSA triage algorithm to the preferred hospital triage algorithm, the Emergency Severity Index (ESI). Setting: This study was a simulated computer exercise using surveys developed in Research Electronic Data Capture software. Nurse volunteers simulated triaging 298 patients. Participants: Patient data included 146 patients treated during the disaster as well as 152 unexposed patients. Twenty-six nurse volunteers were assigned to triage the patients using one of the algorithms in the simulated computer exercise. Main Outcome Measure(s): The precision of the IGSA triage algorithm was 0.82 (confidence interval [CI] 0.78-0.85) and ESI 0.73 (CI 0.69-0.77). Weighted κ for ESI and IGSA accuracy for exposed patients was 0.32 (95% CI 0.26-0.37) and 0.81 (95% CI 0.77-0.85), respectively. Results: The IGSA triage algorithm was more accurate and precise than the ESI algorithm for triaging patients exposed to an irritant gas. Conclusions: This study validates the IGSA triage algorithm as the basis for the development of a prototype software application to quickly identify victims of a chemical disaster and triage patients efficiently and accurately with the potential to dramatically improve the processing of patients in EDs.
A study of ion currents in an oxyfuel flame due to work surface chemical action

Abstract Experiments controlling for work surface temperature and chemical activity under an oxyfuel cutting torch flame reveal that ion currents in the flame can double or even triple due to chemical action at the work surface. Steady-state experiments over copper coupons with various diameters at various temperatures are compared against transient experiments over steel plates with various surface conditions. In extreme cases, steel samples are coated with salts, and the effect is exaggerated by an order of magnitude. These measurements demonstrate that there are two sources of ions in the system; the chemical reaction in inner cone and the work surface. A number of plasma properties are estimated from measurements show good agreement with prior measurements in simpler geometries. These form the basis for an argument in favor of a simplified flame model proposed in the conclusions.
In vivo validation of patellofemoral kinematics during overground gait and stair ascent

Abstract Background The patellofemoral (PF) joint is a common site for non-specific anterior knee pain. The pathophysiology of patellofemoral pain may be related to abnormal motion of the patella relative to the femur, leading to increased stress at the patellofemoral joint. Patellofemoral motion cannot be accurately measured using conventional motion capture. Research question The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of a biplane radiography system for measuring in vivo PF motion during walking and stair ascent. Methods Four subjects had three 1.0 mm diameter tantalum beads implanted into the patella. Participants performed three trials each of over ground walking and stair ascent while biplane radiographs were collected at 100 Hz. Patella motion was tracked using radiostereophotogrammetric analysis (RSA) as a “gold standard”, and compared to a volumetric CT model-based tracking algorithm that matched digitally reconstructed radiographs to the original biplane radiographs. Results The average RMS difference between the RSA and model-based tracking was 0.41 mm and 1.97° when there was no obstruction from the contralateral leg. These differences increased by 34% and 40%, respectively, when the patella was at least partially obstructed by the contralateral leg. The average RMS difference in patellofemoral joint space between tracking methods was 0.9 mm or less. Significance Previous validations of biplane radiographic systems have estimated tracking accuracy by moving cadaveric knees through simulated motions. These validations were unable to replicate in vivo kinematics, including patella motion due to muscle activation, and failed to assess the imaging and tracking challenges related to contralateral limb obstruction. By replicating the muscle contraction, movement velocity, joint range of motion, and obstruction of the patella by the contralateral limb, the present study provides a realistic estimate of patellofemoral tracking accuracy for future in vivo studies.
Exploring Facial Differences in European Countries Boundary by Fine-Tuned Neural Networks

Travel Agents and retailers are always curious about where their customers come from, as this would help them increase their sale and optimize their marketing models. In this study, we build a system to predict where people come from in Europe by analyzing their faces. The countries that have been chosen for the study are Russia, Italy, Germany, Spain, and France. In the first stage of the study, we implement different neural network classifiers on the dataset of people's faces that we collected from Twitter. The highest accuracy achieved is 53.2%, while human accuracy is only 26.96%. In the second stage of the study, we analyze 11 different facial features that might differentiate people in those five countries. The study lays the groundwork for future work to find out differences/similarities of people's faces around the world regardless of their current geographic location.
Tetrahymena genetics: two nuclei are better than one.

Publisher Summary Tetrahymena is an extraordinarily tractable biological system for molecular and genetic analysis. Many genes that are repeated in the genomes of multicellular eukaryotes exist in only one or two copies in the Tetrahymena genome. The two outstanding examples of this principle are the rDNA and the histones. The presence of single-copy rDNA in the germline makes the system uniquely suited for genetic analysis of rDNA replication. Similarly, the organization of the histone genes permits their disruption. The support of cellular viability by the macronucleus allows for the disruption of micronuclear functions in ways that would be cell lethal in other eukaryotic systems. Most notably, mutations in mitotic function can be analyzed in cells where continued cell growth is supported by the amitotically dividing macronucleus. The unusual ability to manipulate the germline independent of the soma provides significant technical advantages for genetic analysis. Strains containing deleterious but nonlethal gene alleles can be readily constructed and propagated. Drug-resistant heterokaryons can be used to select for sexual progeny. Whole genome homozygotes can be recovered in a single mating, which greatly facilitates the isolation of recessive mutations.
MINIMUM FUEL TRANSFERS BETWEEN ARBITRARY COAXIAL ELLIPSES, BOTH COPLANAR AND NONCOPLANAR

The Pontryagin Maximum Principle has been used to determine the optimal transfers between arbitrary coaxial ellipses. The results are presented in graphical form. An algebraic technique was employed to solve the Hamiltonian equations and was programmed for a digital computer. This technique is described and an example is presented to illustrate how the curves may be used to determine an optimal transfer.
Vaccination perspectives among adolescents and their desired role in the decision-making process

Background: To assess the knowledge and attitudes of middle school students toward vaccination, we measured their understanding of vaccine safety and effectiveness, expectations for communication w...
The promise of the universal: non-Buddhists’ accounts of their Vipassanā meditation retreat experiences

ABSTRACTSince the 1970s non-Buddhist Westerners have been writing detailed descriptions of their personal experiences in vipassanā meditation retreat settings. These memoirs illustrate that meditat...
Targeting the evolution of drug resistance in lung cancer.

Even in their intended disease subset, Epithelial Growth Factor Receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors leave behind residual disease eventually resulting in acquired resistance. Our study indicates th...
Basic molecular mechanism of vascular calcification

Abstract Vascular calcification (VC) is an active and highly regulated process that results from a complex interaction between genetic background, molecular pathway interaction, and environmental factors. An imbalance between these processes results in promotion and inhibition of mineralization as a consequence. VC represents an important player in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and is associated with adverse cardiovascular events. Identification of several inherited forms of calcific vasculopathy is important because these rare diseases may have a substantial mechanistic overlap with more common disorders that result in vascular calcification such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease. In this chapter, we describe the main mechanisms and molecular pathways involved in VC pathogenesis along with detailed descriptions of several rare genetic diseases involving severe vascular calcification.