cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of rifaximin use for hepatic encephalopathy on the risk of early post‐transplant infections in liver transplant recipients

Background Whether the use of rifaximin for hepatic encephalopathy during liver transplant candidacy has an impact on post-transplant infections is not known. Methods We compared the frequency and spectrum of infections within 90 d post-transplant in liver transplant recipients who did and did not receive rifaximin for hepatic encephalopathy during transplant candidacy. Results Of 110 consecutive liver transplant recipients, 30 (27%) received rifaximin. Rifaximin users were more severely ill based on higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (p = 0.005). When controlled for MELD (stratified by MELD < 30, MELD ≥ 30), the risk of infections was significantly lower in rifaximin vs. no rifaximin recipients (OR = 0.269, 95% CI 0.078–0.0.934, p = 0.026). Rifaximin use was not associated with a higher risk of multidrug resistant bacterial infections (OR = 1.8, 95% CI 0.42–8.35, p = 0.40). The probability of post-transplant survival at 90 d did not differ for patients with or without rifaximin use (0.90 for both groups, p = 0.56). Conclusions Rifaximin appeared to have a protective effect against early post-transplant infections in more severely ill liver transplant recipients. Rifaximin use did not select for multidrug resistant bacteria in these patients.
Efficient excitation and detection of Lamb waves for process monitoring and NDE

Lamb waves are currently used in many nondestructive testing applications to determine or monitor elastic properties of plate-like structures using various excitation methods. The methods vary from point-like dry contact transducers and laser ultrasound techniques in hostile environments to wedge transducers for inspection of immersed structures. In this paper, we analyze the excitation of Lamb waves in 2-D geometry by surface sources, as in the case of many applications. To calculate the coupling characteristics to various Lamb waves, we use the mode orthogonality principle and utilize the angular spectrum approach to find the field distributions on the surface excited by non contact transducers with finite dimensions. We present theoretical results related to Hertzian contact transducers at low frequencies along with some measurements in agreement with theory. We also investigate the wedge transducers exciting different Lamb wave modes in immersion mode.
Traumatic events and meaning in life: exploring variations in three age cohorts

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between traumatic events that arise across the lifecourse and a sense of meaning in later life. In the process, three important issues are evaluated. First, analyses are performed to see if traumatic events at six different points in the lifecourse are associated with a sense of meaning in life. Second, an effort is made to see if current emotional support helps reduce the deleterious effects of trauma on meaning, and whether current levels of negative inter-personal contacts exacerbate the effects of trauma on meaning in life. Third, the relationship between trauma and meaning is assessed in three age cohorts: the young-old, the old-old and oldest-old. Findings from a nationwide United States survey reveal that trauma arising between the ages of 18 and 30 years is associated with a diminished sense of meaning in life, and that current emotional support reduces the effects of trauma on meaning, whereas negative inter-personal contacts tend to intensify the pernicious effects of trauma on meaning in life. Further analyses suggest that the relationships among trauma, emotional support, and negative inter-personal contacts emerge primarily in the oldest-old cohort.
MEMS RF devices for antenna applications

In this paper, we reviewed the RF MEMS research efforts at the University of Hawaii. The efforts, which are fused with MEMS technologies and antenna theories, can be divided into two areas: planar reconfigurable transceivers and phased arrays using MEMS devices. For the planar transceivers, the interest is in demonstration of new MEMS RF devices with a focus on integration issues (architectures and fabrication) to establish building blocks for reconfigurable transceivers that have beam forming and tuning functionality. For phased-array applications, we demonstrated the system architectures of quasi-optical beam-forming apertures and phased arrays using MEMS RF switches and photonic bandgap ground planes instead of phase shifters.
China's Recent Economic Performance and Future Prospects*

Our forecast of China's economic future is based primarily on the supply side growth accounting model. The life cycle model of household saving provides us with the most plausible explanation for a continued high rate of savings and investment. China's labor force will soon stop growing, but migration out of agriculture should have little impact on farm output while providing a steady stream of labor to the modern more productive sectors. There is also room for rapid expansion of human capital. Maintaining high productivity growth will depend primarily on strengthening currently weak institutions, notably the financial sector and, more importantly, the legal system.
Glomangiomyoma (glomus tumor) of the kidney

We report herein a case of glomus tumor arising in the kidney of a 55-year-old woman, which was found incidentally on a computed tomographic scan. Partial nephrectomy revealed a 2-cm encapsulated mass that was architecturally similar to glomus tumor. Immunohistochemistry showed positivity of tumor cells for vimentin and smooth muscle actin. On electron microscopy, cytoplasmic thin filaments and dense bodies were seen, confirming the smooth muscle nature of the tumor. Glomus tumors arising in visceral organs are rare, and those arising in kidney are exceedingly rare.
Multisensor Fusion under Unknown Distributions Finite-Sample Performance Guarantees

Fusion or combination of information from multiple sources to achieve performances exceeding those of individual sources has been recognized for centuries in diverse areas such as political economy models [22], and composite methods [17]; a brief overview of these works can be found in [31]. In the twentieth century, such fusion methods continued to be applied in a wide spectrum of areas such as reliability [76], forecasting [29], pattern recognition [12], neural networks [24], decision fusion [74], and statistical estimation [11, 16].
FOCAL ADHESIONS, CONTRACTILITY, AND SIGNALING

Focal adhesions are sites of tight adhesion to the underlying extracellular matrix developed by cells in culture. They provided a structural link between the actin cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix and are regions of signal transduction that relate to growth control. The assembly of focal adhesions is regulated by the GTP-binding protein Rho. Rho stimulates contractility which, in cells that are tightly adherent to the substrate, generates isometric tension. In turn, this leads to the bundling of actin filaments and the aggregation of integrins (extracellular matrix receptors) in the plane of the membrane. The aggregation of integrins activates the focal adhesion kinase and leads to the assembly of a multicomponent signaling complex.
CAIRO: a system for facilitating communication in a distributed collaborative engineering environment

Abstract Conference management is a critical component of a collaborative engineering effort. This paper describes cairo (Collaborative Agent Interaction control and synchROnization system), a system for managing participants in a distributed conference. We have drawn from various models of group interaction and social communications theory in order to develop cairo . The cairo system provides both media synchronization, i.e. insuring that all information conveyed from one participant to another is synchronized, and agent synchronization, i.e. insuring effective structuring and control of a distributed conference.
The Impact Of Consumer Attitudes About Bioengineering On Purchase Behavior Intentions: Moderating Effects Of Innate Consumer Innovativeness And Anxiety

Biotechnology is anticipated to be the next generation of innovations and is predicted to surpass the IT revolution in terms of economic prosperity (Darby and Zucher, 2003). But available behavioral and social research relating to biotechnology is at its infant stage. Most studies are qualitative in nature (i.e., focus groups) and are limited to public policy issues such as awareness, knowledge, and perception of risks (Bredahl, 1999; Frewer et al., 1997; Frewer, Howard, and Shepherd, 1997). According to Bredahl, 2001, few research projects have yet to determine how consumer attitudes can be expected to influence subsequent purchase behavior intentions with genetically modified products. As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to approve more and more inventions of biotechnology (i.e., foods such as genetically engineered potatoes and rice; industrial plastic from genetically modified organisms; and life saving pharmaceuticals for diseases such as cancer, HIV, and Alzheimer’s) there is a need for research that investigates how consumer attitudes about genetically modified products influence their purchase intentions and subsequent purchase behavior. The primary purpose of this research is to investigate how consumer attitudes about bioengineering influence their purchase behavior intentions. Second, the influence of two personal variables innate consumer innovativeness and general anxiety about bioengineering as they relate to purchase behavior intentions will be investigated. Finally, the study also makes an attempt to determine if the relationship between attitude and behavior intentions is moderated by the two personal variables innate consumer innovativeness and general anxiety about bioengineering. Personal variables such as these can reasonably be expected to have a differential impact on the relationship between attitude about bioengineering and purchase behavior intentions. That is, the strength of the relationship between attitude and purchase behavior intentions is likely to be stronger for consumers that are innovative and less anxious about bioengineering than others. The study results have implications for both researchers and promoters of bioengineering. For researchers, it should be noted that an extensive literature search was unable to find any empirical research to date that have investigated the moderating effects on the relationship between attitude about bioengineering and purchase behavior intentions. For practitioners, the study will aid biotechnology firms in their efforts in building a more positive attitude about biotechnology in general and to identify the profile of consumers that are more likely to purchase and use products of this technology.
Clarity in medical writing

Clarity is the most significant aspect of medical writing. This article explains the importance of clarity and offers practical advice for writing clearly at the language and sentence levels. Specifically, writers are advised to employ precise language, avoid unnecessary jargon, eliminate unnecessary repetition, and revise verbose phrases.
Amiloride sensitivity of chorda tympani response to NaCl in Fischer 344 and Wistar rats

Fischer 344 (F-344) rats fail to prefer NaCl solutions to water at any concentration and avoid NaCl solutions preferred by other strains, including Wistar rats. Behavioral and electrophysiological responses of the mammalian gustatory system to NaCl have been shown to depend on a sodium transport system that is specifically blocked by lingual application of the sodium-transport blocker amiloride. The present study examined whether strain differences exist between F-344 and Wistar rats in the amiloride sensitivity of the chorda tympani (CT) electrophysiological response to NaCl. Whole nerve CT recordings were obtained from adult F-344 and Wistar rats during chemical stimulation of the anterior tongue. Responses to NaCl solutions ranging from 0.01 to 1.0 M were examined both before and after pretreatment with amiloride hydrochloride. Integrated whole nerve responses to NaCl solutions were expressed relative to the response to 0.5 M NH4Cl. Strain differences in the response to NaCl solutions emerged, with F-344 animals showing a significantly larger amplitude of the tonic response to NaCl, relative to NH4Cl, than Wistars. F-344 rats were also more sensitive to the sodium-channel blocker amiloride. These results suggest that strain differences in amiloride sensitive signals mediated by the CT nerve may contribute to the NaCl aversion displayed by F-344 rats.
Epidemiology and Economic Impact of Rhinosinusitis

Rhinosinusitis is highly prevalent in the United States, affecting an estimated 16% of the adult population annually. The prevalence of the illness is increased in women and, relative to other US regions, in individuals living in the South. The direct costs associated with chronic rhinosinusitis are higher than the background costs in managed care patients because of increased office visits and medication prescriptions, and the indirect costs due to restricted activity days are enormous. Rhinosinusitis poses an immense economic burden in the United States. Data concerning the epidemiology and economic impact of the disease are reviewed.
Pink Bollworm Suppression Through Crop Termination

Four irrigation termination dates and 3 levels of Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) infestations were evaluated over a 3-yr period for effects on cotton-lint yields and overwintering pink bollworm populations. Results indicated that an optimum last-irrigation date in the Yuma valley can be utilized which maintains yields and at the same time minimizes the number of pink bollworm larvae successfully overwintering. A last-irrigation date of ca. Aug. 1 accomplished both. An earlier termination date caused significant yield reductions while later dates, although maintaining yields, resulted in significantly greater moth emergence the following spring. A comparison of 3 levels of infestation showed that untreated infestations caused significant yield losses when compared to those treated with insecticides on schedule from the time of 1 st boll formation or from the time when a 15% boll infestation level was reached. Comparisons among yields from any of the irrigation-termination treatments showed no significant difference between the 2 control schedules. However, when comparing yields among all irrigation-termination treatments relative to level of control, treatments initiated at 1st boll formation did significantly increase yields. The utilization of production practices to shorten the growing season while maintaining yields resulted in a conservation of irrigation water, a decrease in insecticide usage, and a reduction in overwintering pink bollworm larvae. On an area-wide basis this has the potential of relegating the pink bollworm to minor-pest status.
ICU-Acquired Weakness

Survivorship after critical illness is an increasingly important health-care concern as ICU use continues to increase while ICU mortality is decreasing. Survivors of critical illness experience marked disability and impairments in physical and cognitive function that persist for years after their initial ICU stay. Newfound impairment is associated with increased health-care costs and use, reductions in health-related quality of life, and prolonged unemployment. Weakness, critical illness neuropathy and/or myopathy, and muscle atrophy are common in patients who are critically ill, with up to 80% of patients admitted to the ICU developing some form of neuromuscular dysfunction. ICU-acquired weakness (ICUAW) is associated with longer durations of mechanical ventilation and hospitalization, along with greater functional impairment for survivors. Although there is increasing recognition of ICUAW as a clinical entity, significant knowledge gaps exist concerning identifying patients at high risk for its development and understanding its role in long-term outcomes after critical illness. This review addresses the epidemiologic and pathophysiologic aspects of ICUAW; highlights the diagnostic challenges associated with its diagnosis in patients who are critically ill; and proposes, to our knowledge, a novel strategy for identifying ICUAW.
Horn Fly (Diptera: Muscidae): Sampling Considerations of Host Breed and Color

Counts were made in central Iowa of horn flies, Haematobia irritans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), parasitizing 15 cattle representing 4 breeds. The counts were repeated on the same cattle on 36 days throughout the 1979 fly breeding season. An analysIs of variance was made on the logarithmically transformed data. No real differences in horn fly densities could be assigned to host breed (hence color). Only 3.3% of the total variance in horn fly counts was attributable to the host animals, but 83% of the variance was explained by temporal effects; these are displayed graphically.
Quantitative Determination of Uric Acid in Insect Feces by Lithium Carbonate Extraction and the Enzymatic-Spectrophotometric Method

Most analyses for insect uric acid were done by the colorimetric methods described by Folin and Denis (1912), Benedict and Franke (1922), Folin (1933), Brown (1945), and Caraway (1955). These methods are neither specific nor quantitatively accurate (Buchanan et al. 1945, Liddle et al. 1959). However, Sen (1968) used enzymatic spectrophotometry to analyze uric acid in flour as an index of insect infestation. Kalckar (1947) devised the highly specific and sensitive enzymatic-spectrophotometric method for determining uric acid which, as modified by Praetorius and Poulsen (1953) and Feichtmeir and Wrenn (1955), was described in detail by Liddle et al. (1959) for use with human serum and urine. The method is based on the fact that uric acid, which has an absorption peak at 292 mμ, is, in the presence of uricase, oxidized to allantoin which absorbs far less light of the same wavelength. Thus the concentration of uric acid can be calculated from the decrease in absorbance after treatment with uricase.
THE LEGAL ANALYSIS OF AGRICULTURAL LAND SOIL POLLUTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL

With the development of rural land soil pollution,agricultural sustai nable development has been badly affected.This paper analyzes the shortcomings and inadequacies of the relevant legal provisions of prevention and control of r ural land soil pollution.From the view of the protection of ecological security of rural land,this paper discusses the legal problems of legislative selection,basic principles and accountability mechanism of prevention and control of rura l land soil pollution.
High-Throughput Identification of Chemical Endomembrane Cycling Disruptors Utilizing Tobacco Pollen

Endomembrane cycling processes in plants remain mostly intractable through classical genetic interrogation. Chemical disruption of these processes provides an opportunity to slow or inhibit these processes for study. Tobacco pollen, which is dependent upon endomembrane cycling for tube growth, provides a plant system that is amenable to high-throughput screening of chemical disruptors. We describe here the process that allowed the identification of over 360 endomembrane cycling disruptors.
Insurance status is associated with complex presentation among emergency general surgery patients.

Background The Affordable Care Act has the potential to significantly affect access to care for previously uninsured patients in need of emergency general surgical care. Our objective was to determine the relationship between insurance status and disease complexity at presentation among a national sample of emergency general surgical patients. Methods Data from the National Emergency Department Sample from 2006–2009 were queried to identify all patients aged 18–64 years old admitted through the emergency department with a primary diagnosis of appendicitis, diverticulitis, inguinal hernia, or bowel obstruction. Primary outcome of complex presentation was defined as also presenting with generalized peritonitis, intra-abdominal abscess, perforated bowel, intestinal gangrene, or other disease-specific measures of complexity. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine the independent association between insurance status and complex presentation. Models accounted for patient- and hospital-level covariates. Counterfactual models were used to estimate the risk of complex presentation attributable to lack of insurance. Results A total of 1,373,659 patients were included, with an overall uninsured rate of 12.3%. Uninsured patients had significantly higher, unadjusted rates of complex presentation, and uninsured payer status was independently associated with complex presentation (odds ratio 1.38, 95% confidence interval: 1.34–1.42). Counterfactual models suggest that having insurance would result in a 22.37% (95% confidence interval: 22.35–22.39%) relative decline in risk of complex emergency general surgical presentation among the uninsured population. Conclusion Insurance status is independently associated with severity of disease at presentation among emergency general surgical conditions nationally. In light of recently reaffirmed Affordable Care Act insurance expansion provisions, these results anticipate increased timely access to operative care for newly insured patients and a corresponding decline in complex, emergency general surgical presentations.
Oncogenic Potential of CYP24A1 in Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Abstract Introduction We have previously demonstrated that a subset of lung cancer cells express higher CYP24A1 mRNA, a metabolizing enzyme for 1,25-D3, compared to benign tumors or surrounding normal lung and that high CYP24A1 mRNA expression is associated with poor prognosis in resected lung adenocarcinoma (AC). We hypothesized that CYP24A1 has oncogenic potential and increased CYP24A1 expression may contribute to tumor growth, whereas, CYP24A1 targeting may reduce tumor burden. Methods Two low CYP24A1 expressing human lung cancer cell lines (SK-LU-1 and Calu-6) were stably transfected either with an empty lentiviral vector or with the CYP24A1 expressing vector. Over-expression of mRNA and protein levels of CYP24A1 in SK-LU-1 and Calu-6 were confirmed using qRT-PCR and immunoblotting respectively. Next, effects of targeting CYP24A1 were examined in lung cancer cells (A549 and H441), which express higher basal levels of CYP24A1. Finally, we studied the effects of stable knockdown of CYP24A1 in xenograft models. Results Over-expression of CYP24A1 correlated with accelerated cell growth and invasion compared to control vector-transfected cells. CYP24A1 over-expression also increased RAS protein expression. Knockdown of CYP24A1 using either si- or shRNA reduced CYP24A1 mRNA and protein expression and significantly decreased cell proliferation (30-60%) and reduced mitochondrial DNA content compared to non-targeting (NT) si-/shRNA transfected/transduced cells. Transfection with CYP24A1 siRNA also decreased total RAS protein, thus reducing phosphorylated AKT. Importantly, stable knockdown of CYP24A1 in A549 and H441 lung tumor xenograft models resulted in tumor growth delay and smaller tumor size as evident from tumor bioluminescence and tumor volume measurement studies. Such observations were correlated with decreased tumor cell proliferation as evidenced by reduced Ki67 and Cyclin D staining. Conclusions Our data suggest that CYP24A1 has oncogenic properties mediated by increasing RAS signaling, targeting of which may provide an alternate strategy to treat a subset of lung AC.
The motivic fundamental group of P1∖{0,1,∞} and the theorem of Siegel

In this paper, we establish a link between the structure theory of the pro-unipotent motivic fundamental group of the projective line minus three points and Diophantine geometry. In particular, we give a p-adic proof of Siegel's theorem.
Clinical Impact of Changes in Hemodynamic Indices of Contractile Function During Treatment of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Abstract Background The objective of this work was to determine the impact of improving right ventricular versus left ventricular stroke work indexes (RVSWI vs LVSWI) during therapy for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Methods and Results Cox proportional hazards regression and logistic regression were used to analyze key factors associated with outcomes in 175 patients (mean age 56.7 ± 13.6 years, 29.1% female) with hemodynamic data from the Evaluation Study of Congestive Heart Failure and Pulmonary Artery Catheterization Effectiveness trial. In this cohort, 28.6% and 69.7%, respectively, experienced the outcomes of death, transplantation, or ventricular assist device implantatation (DVADTX) and DVADTX or HF rehospitalization (DVADTXHF) during 6 months of follow-up. Increasing RVSWI (ΔRVSWI) from baseline to discharge was associated with a decrease in DVADTXHF (hazard ratio [HR] 0.923, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.871–0.979) per 0.1 mm Hg⋅L⋅m−2 increase); however, increasing LVSWI (ΔLVSWI) had only a nonsignificant association with decreased DVADTXHF (P = .11) In a multivariable model, patients with ΔRVSWI ≤1.07 mm Hg⋅L⋅m−2 and ΔLVSWI ≤4.57 mm Hg⋅L⋅m−2 had a >2-fold risk of DVADTXHF (HR 2.05, 95% CI 1.23–3.41; P = .006). Conclusion Compared with left ventricular stroke work, increasing right ventricular stroke work during treatment of ADHF was associated with better outcomes. The results promise to inform optimal hemodynamic targets for ADHF.
Geometric disequilibrium of river basins produces long-lived transient landscapes

Abstract Although equilibrium has long been considered the attractor state for landscapes, the time required to reach equilibrium or even the possibility of reaching equilibrium is still debated. Using 10 Be-based catchment-averaged denudation rates, topographic analysis, and analysis of the basin topology and geometry, including its area-channel length scaling relationship, we show that an ancient postorogenic dome on the North American Craton, the Ozark dome, is not in a state of equilibrium. The persistent state of disequilibrium on the Ozark dome is characterized by nonuniform erosion rates that vary by a factor of three, asymmetric drainage divides, and evidence for drainage rearrangement via stream capture. We find that planform geometric disequilibrium of river basins and drainage area exchange between adjoining basins can hold river networks in a disequilibrium state for potentially hundreds of million years and that, when sustained over time, erosion rate differences associated with drainage area exchange can lead to transient events such as stream capture and production of relief in the form of elevated, low-relief surfaces. Our results suggest that landscapes with slowly moving drainage divides might not reach equilibrium, and that river basin dynamics may contribute to setting the large-scale morphology of old cratonic landscapes.
Deficiency of Food Security for the ‘Kitchen of the World’

Today, ‘food security’ has become a sensitive but mostly relevant issue to all of us, at all levels. Even for Thailand and India, that were known as the lands of food profusion and have sometimes been dubbed by media as the ‘kitchens of the world ’; have to face a scenario where food security has become a critical subject because of the rapid changes in environment degradation and economic transformation over the past decades. Such changes have put some challenges to Thailand and India that might debunk them to the risk of the food security crisis.
A Role for Regional Scientists in a Time of Crisis

The United States is in the midst of a drug crisis of unprecedented magnitude. It developed slowly at first, but has exploded across the country in recent years. It is exacting a huge human and financial cost. As the crisis continues to accelerate, it is beginning to decimate some areas, particularly small rural communities, including many in Central Appalachia. While the medical field and some other disciplines seem to have gone all in with regards to research on the crisis, regional science has pretty much been invisible. This paper lays out some facts regarding the crisis and makes a case for regional science to step up and be part of the discussion.
Age-related defects in short-term plasticity are reversed by acetyl-L-carnitine at the mouse calyx of Held.

Abstract Hearing acuity and sound localization are affected by aging and may contribute to cognitive dementias. Although loss of sensorineural conduction is well documented to occur with age, little is known regarding short-term synaptic plasticity in central auditory nuclei. Age-related changes in synaptic transmission properties were evaluated at the mouse calyx of Held, a sign-inverting relay synapse in the circuit for sound localization, in juvenile adults (1 month old) and late middle–aged (18–21 months old) mice. Synaptic timing and short-term plasticity were severely disrupted in older mice. Surprisingly, acetyl-l-carnitine (ALCAR), an anti-inflammatory agent that facilitates mitochondrial function, fully reversed synaptic transmission delays and defects in short-term plasticity in aged mice to reflect transmission similar to that seen in juvenile adults. These findings support ALCAR supplementation as an adjuvant to improve short-term plasticity and potentially central nervous system performance in animals compromised by age and/or neurodegenerative disease.
RIGHT ATRIAL PRESSURE ESTIMATES BY 2D AND 3D INFERIOR VENA CAVA MEASUREMENTS ARE DISCORDANT

Right atrial pressure (RAP) and intravascular volume status are estimated by echocardiography with 2D imaging of inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter and collapsibility. 3D imaging can avoid misalignment and likely achieve more accurate length measurements. We sought to compare the concordance between
Anesthetic considerations in preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a disease entity with a complex pathophysiology and high maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The anesthetic implications of the pathophysiology and hemodynamic changes in preeclampsia, preoperative preparation, and risks and benefits of various anesthetic techniques for cesarean delivery and labor pain relief are reviewed.
Clustering of neuronal sodium channels requires contact with myelinating Schwann cells.

Efficient and rapid conduction of action potentials by saltatory conduction requires the clustering of voltage-gated sodium channels at nodes of Ranvier. This clustering results from interactions between neurons and myelinating glia, although it has not been established whether this glial signal is contact-dependent or soluble. To investigate the nature of this signal, we examined sodium channel clustering in co-cultures of embryonic rat dorsal root ganglion neurons and Schwann cells. Cultures maintained under conditions promoting or preventing myelination were immunostained with antibodies against the α subunit of the sodium channel and against ankyrinG, a cytoskeletal protein associated with these channels. Consistent with previous in vivo studies (Vabnick et al., 1996), sodium channels and ankyrin G cluster at the onset of myelination. These clusters form adjacent to the ends of the myelinating Schwann cells and appear to fuse to form mature nodes. In contrast, sodium channels and ankyrin G do not cluster in neurons grown alone or in co-cultures where myelination is precluded by growing cells in defined media. Conditioned media from myelinating co-cultures also failed to induce sodium channel or ankyrin G clusters in cultures of neurons alone. Finally, no clusters develop in the amyelinated portions of suspended fascicles of dorsal root ganglia explants despite being in close proximity to myelinated segments in other areas of the dish. These results indicate that clustering of sodium channels requires contact with myelinating Schwann cells.
Histopathology of the Human Prostate Gland

In the past, the modality of treatment, whether it be surgical, hormonal or chemotherapeutic, depended on the histological type and organ system from which the tumor cells were derived. Unfortunately, at the present time, we have no clear-cut definitive explanations as to why some prostatic carcinomas, in many institutions, are not usually defined as to histological type, extent or grade. Also, why some tumors act in a more benign clinical fashion in one patient and in a more malignant manner in another. Many of these prostatic carcinomatous patterns should be diagnosed as to their type and also their extent both in terms of volume and percentage of the involved prostate gland. Perhaps, some time in the near future, the various histological types and grades as well as their extent will also be correlated with the regions of the world in which the patient dwells and with other epidemiological factors. Without these multispectral analyses, the pathobiology of prostate carcinoma will remain an enigma as it has for the last 40 years.
The diverse culinary habits of microglia.

Heterogeneity of function in microglia from different brain regions is suspected but largely unknown. This paper identifies the epigenetic mechanism underlying differential phagocytic activity of microglia in discrete brain regions and examines the consequences of inducing an appetite not commensurate with the level of cell death in the region in which they reside.
What to expect that you're not expecting: A pilot video education intervention to improve patient self-efficacy surrounding discharge medication barriers.

The objective of this study was to test the feasibility of video discharge education to improve self-efficacy in dealing with medication barriers around hospital discharge. We conducted a single-ar...
Physiologic Medium Maintains the Homeostasis of Immature Bovine Articular Cartilage Explants in Long-Term Culture.

The ability to maintain living articular cartilage tissue in long-term culture can serve as a valuable analytical research tool, allowing for direct examination of mechanical or chemical perturbations on tissue behavior. A fundamental challenge for this technique is the recreation of the salient environmental conditions of the synovial joint in culture that are required to maintain native cartilage homeostasis. Interestingly, conventional media formulations used in explanted cartilage tissue culture investigations often consist of levels of metabolic mediators that deviate greatly from their concentrations in synovial fluid. Here, we hypothesize that the utilization of a culture medium consisting of near-physiologic levels of several highly influential metabolic mediators (glucose, amino acids, cortisol, insulin, and ascorbic acid) will maintain the homeostasis of cartilage explants as assessed by their mechanical properties and extracellular matrix contents. Results demonstrate that the aforementioned mediators have a strong effect on the mechanical and biochemical stability of skeletally immature bovine cartilage explants. Most notably, 1) in the absence of cortisol, explants exhibit extensive swelling and tissue softening and 2) in the presence of supraphysiologic levels of anabolic mediators (glucose, amino acids, insulin), explants exhibit increased matrix accumulation and tissue stiffening. In contrast, the administration of physiologic levels of these mediators (as present in native synovial fluid) greatly improves the stability of live cartilage explants over one month of culture. These results may have broad applicability for articular cartilage and other musculoskeletal tissue research, setting the foundation for important culture formulations required for examinations into tissue behavior.
Albuminuria: a target for clinical trials in kidney disease?

A reduction in proteinuria and albuminuria has long been proposed as a surrogate biomarker for clinically validated end points for interventional trials in patients with kidney disease. Taken together, the findings of two recent landmark meta-analyses present a formidable argument favouring such surrogacy but some uncertainty remains.
Macrophage Activation Syndrome in Rheumatic Diseases

Macrophage activation syndrome is a hemophagocytic syndrome presenting as a complication of a rheumatic disease. Excessive activation and expansion of T lymphocytes and macrophagic histiocytes in MAS leads to a cytokine storm and hyperinflammation associated with extreme hyperferritinemia, cytopenias, liver dysfunction and coagulopathy resembling disseminated intravascular coagulation. It is a life-threatening condition and may progress to multiple organ failure. High dose glucocorticoids and cyclosporine A are most commonly used to treat MAS. Anakinra and intravenous immunoglobulin may be effective in some patients. Etoposide should be considered in more severe cases. Treatments under investigation include strategies aimed at neutralization of IFN-γ and IL-18.
Consequences of Pelvic Radiotherapy on Urinary Function in Women

The objective of this review is to critically evaluate recent literature on the urinary complications following pelvic radiation for malignancy in women. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) manifest in a significant population of women post-radiation with confirmed objective findings on urodynamic evaluation. Other serious consequences such as fistula, hemorrhagic cystitis, and strictures are less common but can be significant. The sequelae of radiation on the female lower urinary tract can range from mild symptoms to those requiring major surgical intervention. Therefore, post-radiotherapy patients must be approached with vigilance in conjunction with thorough preoperative counseling.
QCSEE - The key to future short-haul air transport

The paper describes the design and test procedure for the QCSEE (quiet, clean, short-haul experimental engine). The engines designed for the YC-14 and YC-15 STOL aircraft, both use a very low fan pressure ratio to keep jet-flap noise about 3 dB below total system noise. Other noise reducing features discussed are the low tip speed fans and a carefully selected number of fan blades and vanes with adequate spacing between them. Attention is also given to the development of a low emissions combustor, and reduction of fan frame weight, through the use of graphite/epoxy material. The YC-15 engine also employs variable pitch fans to provide thrust reversal, thus saving weight. Finally, it is noted that the tests have proven that the engines could be configurated to meet the needs of a powered lift system without excessively compromising performance or weight.
Risk Markers for Women’s Physical Intimate Partner Violence Victimization in Iran: A Meta-Analysis:

In this study, evidence from 14 studies examines 16 unique risk markers for intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization for Iranian women. Large-to-medium effect sizes were found for emotional abuse victimization, depression, poor mental health, poor physical health, partner's drug use, living in a patriarchal household, and partner having experienced child abuse as risk markers. Higher levels of education and higher levels of household income were significant protective markers against IPV victimization for Iranian women. Partner's education, partner's employment, being employed, being pregnant, age, partner's age, and length of the relationship were not significant risk markers for IPV victimization among Iranian women.
Perinatal Patients with Symptoms of Depression

Approximately 10–20% of women experience perinatal depression (PND) (Gaynes et al., AHRQ Evid Rep Summ. 119:1–8, 2005). PND is often underdiagnosed and underreported, due in part to the overlap in PND symptoms and normative changes that occur during the perinatal period (Leung and Kaplan, J Am Diet Assoc 109:1566–1575, 2009). Further, many women experiencing PND feel hesitant to share struggles with health professionals and loved ones, often due to societal stigma and the shame associated with feeling depressed during a time when they are expected to feel joy (Dennis and Chung-Lee, Birth. 33:323–331). This pause that mothers may have in opening up about their experience can make women feel alone during this time, thereby worsening mental health outcomes (McCarthy and McMahon Health Care Women Int 29:618–637, 2008). PND is one of the most common complications that perinatal women experience, above and beyond many other prominent pregnancy or delivery-related complications (e.g., preeclampsia, c-section) (Robertson et al., Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 26:289–295, 2004).
Technological similarity and market entry as antecedents of inbound open innovation

This paper investigates resource-based, market-based, and imitation-based motives in open innovation (OI) technology sourcing decisions. Using the theoretical foundations of these diverse motives, ...
Recurrent Nerve Injury After Total Thyroidectomy: Risk Factor Analysis of a Targeted NSQIP Data Set.

BACKGROUND Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury is a significant complication after thyroidectomy. Understanding risk factors for RLN injury and the associated postoperative complications may help inform quality improvement initiatives. METHODS The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) thyroidectomy-targeted database was utilized for patients undergoing total thyroidectomy between 2016 and 2017. Univariable and multivariable regression were used to identify factors associated with RLN injury. RESULTS A total of 6538 patients were identified. The overall rate of RLN injury was 7.1% (467/6538). Of these, 4129 (63.1%) patients had intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM), with an associated RLN injury rate of 6.5% (versus 8.2% without). African American and Asian race, non-elective surgery, parathyroid auto-transplantation, and lack of RLN monitoring were all significantly associated with nerve injury on multivariable analysis (P<.05). Patients with RLN injury were more likely to experience cardiopulmonary complications, re-intubation, longer length of stay, readmission, and reoperation. Patients who had IONM and sustained RLN injury remained at risk for developing significant postoperative complications, although the extent of cardiopulmonary complications was less severe in this cohort. DISCUSSION Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is common after thyroidectomy and is associated with significant morbidity, despite best practices. Attention to preoperative characteristics may help clinicians to further risk stratify patients prior to thyroidectomy. While IONM does not mitigate all complications, use of this technology may decrease severity of postoperative complications.
Pumping Up Surface Air

Towering cumulus clouds associated with thunderstorms enable the spread of pollution on intercontinental scales.
Can There be a Theory of Money

The possibility of obtaining a "theory" of money is questioned, where a theory is taken to mean an explanatory framework using a small number of observables. The root of the problem lies in the maximizing nature of economic agents. Money is means to effect transactions and savings; what will be used as money depends upon such a miscellany of factors that no "theory" can be expected to emerge. A critical examination of the Quantity Theory, both as a theory and as a testable proposition, supports this claim.
The Control of Ribonucleic Acid Synthesis in Escherichia coli III. THE FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PURINE RIBONUCLEOSIDE TRIPHOSPHATE POOL SIZES AND THE RATE OF RIBONUCLEIC ACID ACCUMULATION

Abstract We have examined the functional relationship in vivo between purine ribonucleoside triphosphate pool size and the rate of the RNA accumulation. Our findings are as follows. The imposition of stringency leads to a roughly 40% drop in the GTP pool which occurs very quickly; it is complete in less than 10 min, and occurs simultaneously with, or just before, the shutoff of RNA accumulation. A somewhat slower 30% drop in the ATP pool was also observed. In a relaxed mutant, there is a momentary shrinkage of both pools, but they quickly return to normal and thereafter expand. The shrinkage of the ATP and GTP pools during stringency cannot be accounted for as a feedback response to blockade of RNA accumulation; when RNA accumulation is blocked directly by uracil starvation, the ATP and GTP pools expand rather than contract. Shrinkage of the purine ribonucleoside triphosphate pools may be sufficient to account for the reduced rate of RNA accumulation during stringency. When the synthesis of ATP and GTP is blocked directly by purine starvation, the rate of RNA accumulation falls drastically with only about a 40% shrinkage of the two pools. Thus net RNA synthesis in vivo is much more sensitive to purine ribonucleoside triphosphate concentration than is RNA polymerase activity in vitro. Shrinkage of the GTP pool alone may be sufficient to account for the response of RNA accumulation to stringency. When GTP synthesis is blocked directly by guanine or guanosine starvation, a moderate decrease in the GTP pool results in a disproportionate reduction in net RNA synthesis. Despite virtually complete inhibition of net RNA synthesis during guanosine starvation, protein synthesis proceeds at about 25% of the normal rate. This suggests that the synthesis and turnover of messenger RNA is much less affected by a moderate decrease in GTP than is the accumulation of stable forms of RNA.
Composable scalable enterprises with agile autonomous components

An efficient and scalable approach to build and manage large enterprise systems is to compose them dynamically using agile and autonomous components. Agile components may be virtual (software), concrete (real-world and hardware systems), or combinations of these. They are constructed independently but may interact with each other through well-defined interfaces. Agile components may be hierarchically clustered to form composite components. Individual agile components are self-aware and self-reconfigurable which enable them to autonomously participate in adaptive control of large-scale enterprises. Agile components are capable of responding to internal and external changes autonomously. The development and runtime environments provide the appropriate framework for modeling, automatic analysis, scheduling and control of component reconfiguration in the complex enterprise. The dynamic structure and control of enterprise systems are managed by a pool of resource, composition and adaptation servers. Through the pool of replicated servers, changes in the structure and control of the enterprise may be propagated to other parts of the enterprise and enable them to react appropriately and autonomously.
Correlation of mechanical impact responses and biomarker levels: A new model for biomarker evaluation in TBI

A modified Marmarou impact acceleration model was used to help screen biomarkers to assess brain injury severity. Anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a closed head injury from 1.25, 1.75 and 2.25 m drop heights. Linear and angular responses of the head were measured in vivo. 24h after impact, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum were collected. CSF and serum levels of phosphorylated neurofilament heavy (pNF-H), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and amyloid beta (Aβ) 1-42 were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Compared to controls, significantly higher CSF and serum pNF-H levels were observed in all impact groups, except between 1.25 m and control in serum. Furthermore, CSF and serum pNF-H levels were significantly different between the impact groups. For GFAP, both CSF and serum levels were significantly higher at 2.25 m compared to 1.75 m, 1.25 m and controls. There was no significant difference in CSF and serum GFAP levels between 1.75 m and 1.25 m, although both groups were significantly higher than control. TBI rats also showed significantly higher levels of IL-6 versus control in both CSF and serum, but no significant difference was observed between each impact group. Levels of Aβ were not significantly different between groups. Pearson's correlation analysis showed pNF-H and GFAP levels in CSF and serum had positive correlation with power (rate of impact energy), followed by average linear acceleration and surface righting (p<0.01), which were good predictors for traumatic axonal injury according to histologic assessment in our previous study, suggesting that they are directly related to the injury mechanism. The model used in this study showed a unique ability in elucidating the relationship between biomarker levels and severity of the mechanical trauma to the brain.