cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multi-Disciplinary Challenges in Tissue Modeling for Wireless Electromagnetic Powering: A Review

Wireless electromagnetic powering of implantable medical devices is a diverse research area, with goals including replacing percutaneous wires, miniaturizing and extending the lifetime of implanted devices, enabling wireless communication, and biosensing, all while maximizing safety and efficiency of wireless power transfer. Many challenges in wireless transcutaneous powering are associated with tissue as an electromagnetic transmission medium. Tissue is lossy and variable, and safety is a concern due to absorption of electromagnetic energy in high-water-content tissue. The purpose of this overview is to summarize reported variability of tissue properties, particularly in the context of electromagnetic safety, with a focus on models of tissue that can represent variability in the design and evaluation of systems for wireless transcutaneous power transfer.
A Pediatric Patient with a Progressive Chest Wall Mass

An 11-year-old autistic but otherwise healthy boy presented with a right chest wall mass of unknown duration. Intermittent tactile fever and cough were noted during the 4 days prior to presentation. Retrospectively, the parents noted decreased energy and an unwillingness of the boy to wear his school backpack over the past several months. He had no weight gain or loss. He had a history of periodontal disease. Nine months prior to presentation, he required general anesthesia for teeth extractions and the placement of fillings, crowns, and a spacer. His immunizations were current and he was not taking any medications. He lived in a suburban area in the Midwest with his parents, both of whom were born in China. He was born in the United States.
Neutropenic fever during peripheral blood progenitor cell mobilization is associated with decreased CD34+ cell collection and increased apheresis collection days.

Background Peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) mobilization with chemotherapy in addition to Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) improves cell collection compared to G-CSF alone; however, it is associated with increased risk of neutropenic fever (NF). Methods We analyzed risk factors for post-priming NF and NF association with autologous stem cell transplant outcomes. Between 1998 and 2008, 593 adult patients with lymphoma underwent PBPC mobilization with etoposide and G-CSF. Results Median age was 51 years (range 18–77) and 372 (63%) were male. Diagnoses were 457 (77%) non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 136 (23%) Hodgkin lymphoma. Of 554 (93%) transplanted patients, majority were in complete or partial remission at time of transplant (88%). Overall, 141 (24%) patients were hospitalized for NF. Nine patients (6%) had bacteremia, 4 (3%) had pneumonia, 2 ( 4 days of apheresis (48% vs. 37%, P < .001). NF was associated with a higher 30-day readmission rate following transplant hospitalization (17% vs. 9%, P = .012). Conclusion NF during etoposide priming is associated with lower likelihood of proceeding to transplant, lower CD34+ cell dose collection, more apheresis days required for collection and a higher 30-day readmission rate following transplant discharge.
Relationship of growth hormone, prolactin and thyrotropin secretion to individual and progeny performance of Hereford bulls.

Six Hereford bulls from a line selected with an index of body weight and muscling score were compared with six bulls from a control line to determine if increased growth in the selected line was associated with changes in plasma levels of growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL) and (or) thyrotropin (TSH). The predictive value of sire hormone data for growth rate of progeny was also evaluated. Bulls of the index line were heavier at birth (P less than .02) and had higher postweaning daily gains (P less than .01) than bulls of the control line. Blood samples were collected from bulls (ages 2 and 3 yr) at 15-min intervals for 8 h. Overall plasma GH concentrations were higher (P less than .03) in the index bulls than those in the control line. All characteristics of PRL secretion examined tended to be higher in the index bulls, but only mean overall and baseline differences approached significance (P less than .10). There were no significant differences in measures of TSH secretion between lines. Sire differences in hormone characteristics accounted for significant amounts of variation in birth weight and postweaning gain of progeny, but not in gain to weaning. Also, when considered jointly, hormone characteristics generally added significantly to predictions that used sire growth rate alone. The results suggest that serum hormone characteristics in parents may provide additional predictors of growth rates of progeny.
Selfish Genes and Lucky Breaks: Richard Dawkins’ and Stephen Jay Gould’s Divergent Darwinian Agendas

Darwin expressed alternative theoretical perspectives on a range of issues fundamental to our understanding of evolution, thereby making it possible for his intellectual descendants to develop his ideas in markedly different and even incompatible directions while still promoting their views as authentically “Darwinian.” The long-running and well-publicized scientific rivalry between Richard Dawkins and Stephen Jay Gould is a striking case in point. In elegantly written books and essays spanning the last quarter of the twentieth century, they developed and defended diametrically opposed views on the units of selection, the scope and depth of adaptation, the significance of chance events, and the reality and meaning of evolutionary progress—each explicitly juxtaposing his own views against those of the other while insisting that his own conclusions represent the genuinely “Darwinian” view. These skirmishes raise many questions. If there is just one world, why do they reach such different conclusions about it? Does each have an equally good claim to represent authentic “Darwinism”? Are they best viewed as defending different interpretations of a single Darwinian tradition, or as representing alternative (e.g., competing) Darwinian traditions? More generally, is a scientific tradition best characterized by a set of propositions that define its essence, or by causal interactions providing cohesiveness in terms of self-identification, social relations, and historical continuity? An analysis of the Dawkins–Gould rivalry provides a fertile opportunity to address these and other questions concerning “the Darwinian tradition” in the twentieth century.
In Situ, Time-Resolved, and Mechanistic Studies of Metal–Organic Framework Nucleation and Growth

The vast chemical and structural diversity of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) opens up the exciting possibility of “crystal engineering” MOFs tailored for particular catalytic or separation applications. Yet the process of reaction discovery, optimization, and scale-up of MOF synthesis remains extremely challenging, presenting significant obstacles to the synthetic realization of many otherwise promising MOF structures. Recently, significant new insights into the fundamental processes governing MOF nucleation and growth, as well as the relationship between reaction parameters and synthetic outcome, have been derived using powerful in situ, time-resolved and/or mechanistic studies of MOF crystallization. This Review provides a summary and associated critical analysis of the results of these and other related “direct” studies of MOF nucleation and growth, with a particular emphasis on the recent advances in instrument technologies that have enabled such studies and on the major hypotheses, theories, and mod...
Comorbidities: Cardiovascular disease and breast cancer.

Advances in breast cancer therapy mean that more women are surviving cancer but are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In a statement released by the AHA, Mehta and colleagues summarize the intersection between breast cancer and CVD, and highlight the importance of vigilance in preventive measures.
Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia: Approach to Diagnosis and Management

SUMMARY The combination of widespread musculoskeletal pain, high tender point count, and nonrestorative sleep are sufficient criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. The condition is primary in the absence of underlying disease and is considered concomitant or secondary when closely associated with another organic disease. Despite more simplified diagnostic criteria, the work-up for fibromyalgia must always be directed toward excluding the underlying causes. In addition to general and rheumatic history and physical examination and selected laboratory studies, careful attention to defining any existing sleep and mood disturbances is important in designing a management program. Although 46 medical conditions have been associated with fibromyalgia, a practical differential diagnostic list includes polymyalgia rheumatica, myofascial pain, connective tissue disease, endocrine myopathies, psychoneuroses, and other chronic fatigue syndromes.
An Optimization Model in Support of Biomass Co-firing Decisions in Coal Fired Power Plants

This chapter provides an optimization model to aid with biomass co-firing decisions in coal fired power plants. Co-firing is a strategy that can be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at coal plants. Co-firing is a practice that impacts logistics-related costs, capital investments, plant efficiency, and tax credit collected. The linear mixed-integer programming model we present captures the relationship that exists between biomass usage and the corresponding costs and savings due to production of renewable electricity. We test the performance of the model proposed on a case study developed using data from the State of Mississippi. We perform a sensitivity analyses in order to evaluate the impact of biomass purchasing costs, biomass transportation costs, investment costs, and production tax credit on the cost of renewable electricity.
Lifetime prediction of polyolefin geosynthetics utilizing acceleration tests based on temperature

Publisher Summary The utilization of elevated temperatures to accelerate the thermal oxidation of HDPE geomembranes was found to be relevant and appropriate. Elevated incubation temperatures up to 85° C did not cause changes in microstructure that could lead to fluctuation in tensile properties. Thus, the temperature acceleration methodology can be applied to investigate the thermal degradation of other isotropic polymeric materials. The importance of antioxidants on the longevity of polyolefin geosynthetics is hereby demonstrated by this study using an HDPE geomembrane. For engineering systems that require long service life, appropriate formulated polyolefin product must be required. The OIT test is a simple method to assess the importance of the antioxidants. Furthermore, OIT can be included in a specification. However, for comparing different types of antioxidants, OIT test must be used together with oven aging to evaluate the depletion rate.
Bound on the Estimation of a 3-D Trajectory from a Stationary Passive Sensor and its Attainability

It has been shown in previous works that the trajectory of a thrusting/ballistic object in three-dimensional space is observable with two-dimensional measurements from a stationary passive sensor. The measurements can either start from the launch point or start in flight, i.e., with delayed acquisition. The observability of the target trajectory was investigated by testing the invertibility of the Fisher Information Matrix (FIM) numerically. This work discusses the observability of the trajectory via the uniqueness of the target state vector for a certain sequence of 2-d angle-only measurements (azimuth and elevation angles) from a single fixed passive sensor. The discussion starts with polynomial motion from which the results are extended to nonlinear thrusting/ballistic motion. Two cases: (i) known thrust and drag coefficient, (ii) unknown thrust and drag coefficient are considered. The gravity acceleration is shown to be the crucial part that guarantees the observability in all the cases.
Move closer and get active: How to make urban university commutes more satisfying

Abstract By making commuting more enjoyable, workplaces, schools, and communities can become more attractive and competitive. We applied quantitative and qualitative methods to explore changes in commute satisfaction reported in the Fall 2017 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) Campus Travel Survey. Among the 2715 respondents who reported satisfaction scores for both their current commute to UWM and their previous commute to a different work or school location, 30% were more satisfied and 47% were less satisfied with their current commute. Binomial logistic regression identified several sociodemographic variables associated with increased satisfaction. In addition, respondents who had a shorter commute to UWM than their previous work or school location were 5.3 times more likely to report increased satisfaction. Respondents who shifted from a motorized mode to walking or bicycling were 2.5 times more likely to be more satisfied. Open-ended responses suggested that satisfaction with active commuting is likely due to benefits such as physical and mental health, social interaction, and being able to express values such as environmental protection and self-reliance. Importantly, active modes avoid the hassle and cost of automobile parking. Urban universities can frame strategies to promote active and sustainable travel modes as a means to support more enjoyable commute options.
Decreased mRNA and protein stability of W1282X limits response to modulator therapy.

Abstract Background Cell-based studies have shown that W1282X generates a truncated protein that can be functionally augmented by modulators. However, modulator treatment of primary cells from individuals who carry two copies of W1282X generates no functional CFTR. To understand the lack of response to modulators, we investigated the effect of W1282X on CFTR RNA transcript levels. Methods qRT-PCR and RNA-seq were performed on primary nasal epithelial (NE) cells of a previously studied individual who is homozygous for W1282X, her carrier parents and control individuals without nonsense variants in CFTR. Results CFTR RNA bearing W1282X in NE cells shows a steady-state level of 4.2 ± 0.9% of wild-type (WT) CFTR RNA in the mother and 12.4 ± 1.3% in the father. NMDI14, an inhibitor of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), restored W1282X mRNA to almost 50% of WT levels in the parental NE cells. RNA-seq of the NE cells homozygous for W1282X showed that CFTR transcript level was reduced to 1.7% of WT (p-value: 4.6e-3). Negligible truncated CFTR protein was generated by Flp-In 293 cells stably expressing the W1282X EMG even though CFTR transcript was well above levels observed in the parents and proband. Finally, we demonstrated that NMD inhibition improved the stability and response to correctors of W1282X-CFTR protein expressed in the Flp-In-293 cells. Conclusion These results show that W1282X can cause substantial degradation of CFTR mRNA that has to be addressed before efforts aimed at augmenting CFTR protein function can be effective.
Resident Operative Experience in Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery: Exposing the Divide

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires an experience in hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery as part of general surgery residency training. The composition of this experience, however, is unclear. We set out to evaluate current trends in the HPB experience of US general surgery residents. National ACGME operative case logs from 1990 to 2016 were examined with a focus on the HPB operative domains. Time-trend analysis was performed using ANOVA and linear regression analysis. Median biliary, liver, and pancreatic operative volumes increased by 30%, 33%, and 27% over the 27-year study period (all p < 0.05). Both core and advanced HPB cases increased, but the rate of increase for core was four times greater than that of advanced. However, when cholecystectomy was excluded, this trend reversed such that HPB core operations decreased by 11 cases over the study period. Further analysis demonstrated that laparoscopic cholecystectomy comprised 90% of all biliary cases and 77% of all HPB cases for graduates in 2016. Finally, operative volume variability—the difference in case numbers between high and low volume residents—increased by 16%, 21%, and 73% for the biliary, liver, and pancreatic domains, respectively (all p < 0.05). Despite increases in overall HPB operative volume, the HPB experience is changing for today’s surgical trainees. Moreover, the HPB experience is comprised largely of a single operation—the cholecystectomy. Awareness of these trends is important for surgical educators to facilitate adequate exposure to HPB surgery among general surgery residents.
Dynamic stability during increased walking speeds is related to balance confidence of older adults: a pilot study

Abstract Background Some older individuals walk slower, which may be due to decreases in mechanical stability at faster speeds or due to psychological factors like balance confidence. Research Question What is the relationship between progressively increasing walking speeds on dynamic stability in older and younger adults and how does this relationship interact with balance confidence in older adults? Methods 10 young adults and 14 older adults were recruited for this pilot study. Individuals completed the Activities Specific Balance Confidence Scale. Individuals walked on a treadmill in a robotic device that interfaced with individuals at the pelvis allowing all degrees of freedom of movement and provided safety for a loss of balance. Participants walked at speeds from 0.4 - 2.0m/s in 0.2m/s increments or until the participant chose not to attempt a faster speed. Margin of stability was assessed. Results The ABC of older adults was lower than younger adults (89±13 vs 99±1 scores, p=0.006) and some older adults chose to stop walking before 2.0m/s (n=6). The margin of stability variability of the older adults was significantly greater than young adults in the sagittal (p=0.013) and frontal plane (p=0.007). Older adults became unstable (margin of stability Significance Some older adults with lower balance confidence were less willing to experience instability at faster walking speeds on the treadmill, even though the external threat to balance was low. Lower balance confidence and a sense of loss of stability may be factors in decreased willingness to experience activities for some older adults.
Principles of open source bioinstrumentation applied to the poseidon syringe pump system

The poseidon syringe pump and microscope system is an open source alternative to commercial systems. It costs less than $400 and can be assembled in under an hour using the instructions and source files available at https://pachterlab.github.io/poseidon . We describe the poseidon system and use it to illustrate design principles that can facilitate the adoption and development of open source bioinstruments. The principles are functionality, robustness, safety, simplicity, modularity, benchmarking, and documentation.
Mainstreaming white supremacy: a twitter analysis of the American ‘Alt-Right’

In this paper, I analyze how the so called ‘alt-right’ is using Twitter to mainstream its politics. Understanding alt-right mainstreaming is important because the movement has embraced a Gramscian ...
Accelerated Visual Inertial Navigation via Fragmented Structure Updates

Tightly coupled Visual-Inertial Navigation System (VINS) implementations have proven their superiority due to their ability to jointly optimize all state variables. However, this joint optimization is considered as a computational bottleneck within the system, and thus many traditional VINS can only be implemented on platforms containing powerful processors. In this work, we show a significant reduction in the computational burden of optimization can be achieved through the use of fragments; a set of co-visible feature points from across several different cameras efficiently split, categorized into groups, and then analyzed using a machine-learning inspired frequent-pattern growth algorithm. Furthermore, we use a reduced continuous representation during preintegration for better accuracy while requiring less computational resources. We validate our algorithm in datasets, showing that the derivation is not only more accurate, but requires significantly less computational resources. When tested on a Raspberry Pi, our implementation was able to track the system’s state in nearly 20 frames per second using only a single CPU core. Testing on another low power module shows a power draw of around 800 mW. Due to run-time considerations the Raspberry Pi was only competitive in regards to other optimization methodologies, but our algorithm displays remarkable accuracy on a more powerful platform.
A model for interstitial solid solution strengthening of body centered cubic metals

Abstract A model for interstitial solid solution strengthening of body centered cubic metals is proposed and used to analyze strengthening behavior of interstitial solid solutions of body centered cubic metals for which experimental data at near-room temperature are available in the open literature. The proposed model takes into account interstitial solute-dislocation interactions and cross-kink interactions at the core of a/2 [111] screw dislocations. Good agreement between the calculated and experimental yield stress values is found.
DBS Artifact Removal Through Template Subtraction

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) typically results in the formation of large signal artifacts in electrophysiological recordings in the surrounding regions of the stimulated area. This can prove to be problematic, as it makes the study of physiological responses in Local Field Potentials (LFPs), and consequently Event Related Potentials (ERPs) quite challenging. Research has been done in attempts to attenuate the effects of these large artifacts through various ways, most commonly through blind suppression, function fitting, template subtraction, and adaptive filters. However, many of these methods have proven to only be useful within the context of surface recordings (EEGs) and not for LFPs. In our research, we utilize template subtraction and extend it to the context of LFPs, in an attempt to uncover more effectively the underlying physiological responses to DBS.
Delta-like Ligand 3 (DLL3) is a novel target for molecular imaging of Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer

133 Objectives: Transdifferentiation of prostate adenocarcinoma to Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer (NEPC) has emerged as one of the leading causes of resistance to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) [1]. The patients have aggressive disease with visceral metastasis and have short survival time (7-10 months) [2]. Genomic and proteomic characterization of biopsy samples of NEPC lesions indicates loss of androgen receptor (AR) signaling [3]. Therefore, current PET imaging agents such as 18F-FDHT and 68Ga-PSMA11 that rely on functional AR cannot be used. Our goal is to develop a PET based molecular imaging agent that can uniquely identify NEPC lesions. Taking advantage of highly specific expression of Delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) in NEPC lesions, we have developed zirconium-89 labeled immunoPET agent that can specifically identify NEPC lesions. Methods: We have used well characterized NCI-H660 cell line as representative NEPC model and compared it with AR dependent LNCaP and AR independent PC3 and DU145 cell lines. qPCR was used to measure relative levels of AR-regulated gene transcripts (AR, PSMA, PSA) and NEPC marker DLL3 and normalized to β-actin in the cell lines. Relative protein levels of AR regulated genes and DLL3 were measured by western blot analysis of cellular extracts using β-actin as our control. ImmunoPET agent - 89Zr-SC16 - was developed through the conjugation of the DFO chelator to SC16 (DLL3 specific) mAb and radiolabeled with zirconium-89. Saturation binding assay was performed on the cell line NCI-H660 to determine Bmax and Kd values. For in vivo PET imaging and biodistribution studies, NCI-H660 (DLL3/+) or DU145 (DLL3/-) xenografts were established in 6-8 week old male athymic nude mice. The mice were administered with 89Zr-SC16 and imaged at 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h post injection on a PET scanner and at chosen time points mice were euthanized and organs collected for biodistribution studies. Results: Saturation binding assay reveals that Kd =0.35 nM and Bmax = 863 fm/106 cells for 89Zr-SC16. In vitro studies indicated that NCI-H660 cell line was positive for DLL3 and negative for AR, PSA, and PSMA both at transcriptional and translational level. As expected all other cells except PC3 were negative for DLL3. Invivo PET imaging with 89Zr-SC16 showed clear delineation of NCI-H660 (DLL3/+) tumor xenografts. Biodistribution studies showed tumor uptake of 18.4 ± 3.8 %ID/g in the NCI-H660 tumors compared to 5.5 ± 0.5 %ID/g in the DU145 tumors, demonstrating the selective accumulation of the radiotracer in the DLL3-expressing tumors. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that only NEPC cells selectively express DLL3 and using DLL3 targeting PET agent 89Zr-SC16 we can non-invasively and uniquely identify NEPC lesions in vivo. Acknowledgement: Partial funding for these studies was provided by 2019 Geoffrey Beene Cancer Research Center Grant.
Towards a planetary semiotics

There exists a universal ecology-based stratification of levels of activity and meaning-making in human societies, a stratifying architecture that determines existing levels of social experience, types of sign functions and semantic functions in language, and finally the mental principles of human subjectivity. The planetary ecology of civilization is therefore constitutive of human semiotics. The following is a short outline of a theory of meaning based on these observations.
Extragenital Screening of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae Among Women in the College Health Setting.

BACKGROUND Despite high frequencies of oral and receptive anal intercourse among young women, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend routine oropharyngeal or anorectal screening for CT and GC. Risk-based extragenital screening of women has not been adopted at the majority of college health centers, and existing research has not focused on the female or college population. METHODS We examined health records of women at a college health center in a large urban university for 3 years to evaluate the effectiveness of CT and GC screening. We also evaluated the proportion of CT and GC infections that would have been missed if risk-based extragenital screening was not performed. Decisions to screen at extragenital sites were based on patient-reported risk behavior. RESULTS For 8027 unique chlamydia screens and 7907 unique gonorrhea screens, approximately 20% of the visits used extragenital screening in response to self-reported risk behaviors. More than 44% of patients were non-Hispanic White, and approximately 48% fell within the 20- to 24-year age group. The case positivity rates for CT were 2.85% with urogenital-only screening and 1.30% with risk-prompted extragenital screening (1.1% throat, 4.3% rectal). The case positivity rates for GC were 0.11% with urogenital-only screening and 0.37% with risk-prompted extragenital screening (0.37% throat, 0% rectal). If the college health center had relied solely on urogenital screening rather than adding risk-based extragenital screening, 4.41% of CT infections would have been missed and 28.57% of GC infections would have been missed. CONCLUSIONS Nearly 1 of 22 CT infections and nearly 1 of 3 GC infections would have been missed without extragenital screening in this analysis of college women. Inclusion of risk-prompted extragenital screening in asymptomatic STD screening protocols can help clinicians diagnose CT and GC infections that would be have been missed with urogenital-only screening. Although rectal GC infections among women seem to be less common, oropharyngeal testing, in particular, for GC is suggested for women based on sexual risk. However, clinicians might only identify these risks if they ask patients directly about these potential exposures. Because guidelines exist only for men, future studies should focus on extragenital screening in college women to build the evidence that this particular population of patients may benefit from this practice, given the high risk of STDs in young adults.
Time to Therapeutic Tacrolimus Levels and Association with Acute Cellular Rejection and De Novo Donor-Specific Antibody Development in Lung Transplant Recipients

Purpose Tacrolimus (FK506) is standard of care for preventing rejection in lung transplant (LTx) for maintenance immunosuppression. Both acute cellular rejection (ACR) and de novo donor-specific antibodies (dnDSAs) are strongly associated with development of chronic lung allograft dysfunction. Time to therapeutic FK506 has not been standardized. We evaluated whether time to therapeutic FK506 impacted ACR and dnDSA rates within 6 months (M) of LTx. Methods We reviewed LTx recipients between 5/2016 - 12/2019. We excluded patients who did not receive FK506, received their first dose ≥48 hours post-LTx, were transitioned off FK506 during the study period, or expired within 30 days (d). Primary outcome was a composite of ACR and dnDSA development within 6M for patients achieving therapeutic FK506 (8-15 ng/mL) within 7d, versus >7d. Secondary endpoints included: time within therapeutic range (TTR) at 1M and incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) within 14d. Results Median time to therapeutic was 7d (IQR 5.0-10.0) in 222 patients. There was no difference in ACR [7.6% vs 9.7% (p=0.63)] or dnDSA [35% vs 44% (p=0.20)] between patients achieving therapeutic FK506 ≤7d vs >7d. Recipients therapeutic ≤7d had a longer median time to dnDSA development (44d vs 27d, p=0.043). TTR at 1M was longer in patients therapeutic ≤7d (40% vs 28%, p Conclusion There was no significant differences in development of ACR or dnDSA within 6M between LTx recipients achieving therapeutic FK506 ≤7d vs >7d. Increased time to dnDSA development in the ≤7d cohort suggests a potential benefit to minimizing time to therapeutic FK506 level post-LTx.
Nivolumab plus cabozantinib in patients with non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma: Results of a phase 2 trial.

4509Background: Cabozantinib plus nivolumab (CaboNivo) improved objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) over sunitinib in a phase 3 trial for metas...
Characterizing idiopathic intracranial hypertension socioeconomic disparities and clinical risk factors: A retrospective case-control study.

INTRODUCTION Against the backdrop of the diverse minority-majority state of Hawaii, this study seeks to better characterize associations between idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) with sociodemographic variables and medical comorbidities. METHODS A retrospective case-control study was conducted by utilizing 54 IIH patients and 216 age-, sex-, and race-matched controls, 216 unmatched controls, and 63 age-, sex-, and race-matched migraine patients. RESULTS Relative to controls, IIH were 25 years younger (p 40 kg/m2; OR: 6.10), recent weight gain (OR: 11.66), current smoker (OR: 2.48), hypertensive (OR: 3.08), and peripheral vascular disease (OR: 16.42). Odds of IIH were reduced (p < 0.05) for patients who were Asian (OR: 0.27) or students (OR: 0.30;). Unique from Whites, NHPI IIH patients exhibited greater odds (p < 0.05) for being from lower socioeconomic status and currently smoking, as well as potential association with seizures (p = 0.08). Compared to migraines, IIH headaches were at increased odds of occurring (p < 0.05) occipitally, for greater than 15 days per month, aggravated by postural changes, and comorbid with dizziness and tinnitus. CONCLUSIONS These results not only better characterize IIH, but also highlight socioeconomic and racial disparities in diagnosis.
CIDEA expression in SAT from adolescent girls with obesity and unfavorable patterns of abdominal fat distribution.

OBJECTIVE This study investigated whether variations in cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor alpha subunit-like effector A (CIDEA) mRNA expression and protein levels are modulated by the pattern of abdominal fat distribution in adolescent girls with obesity. METHODS This study recruited 35 adolescent girls with obesity and characterized their abdominal fat distribution by magnetic resonance imaging. Participants had only a periumbilical/abdominal (n = 14) or a paired abdominal and gluteal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) biopsy (n = 21). CIDEA expression was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, CIDEA protein level by Western blot, and the turnover of adipose lipids and adipocytes by 2 H2 O labeling. In six girls, a second abdominal SAT biopsy was performed (after ~34.2 months) to explore the weight gain effect on CIDEA expression in abdominal SAT. RESULTS CIDEA expression decreased in abdominal SAT from participants with high visceral adipose tissue (VAT)/(VAT+SAT); CIDEA inversely correlated with number of small adipocytes, with the increase in preadipocyte proliferation, and with adipogenesis. A strong inverse correlation was found between CIDEA protein level with the newly synthetized glycerol (r = -0.839, p = 0.0047). Following weight gain, an increase in adipocytes' cell diameter with a decrease in CIDEA expression and RNA-sequencing transcriptomic profile typical of adipocyte dysfunction was observed. CONCLUSIONS Reduced expression of CIDEA in girls with high VAT/(VAT+SAT) is associated with adipocyte hypertrophy and insulin resistance.
INDIVIDUAL, ORGANIZATIONAL, AND SOCIETAL IMPLICATIONS OF END-USER COMPUTING

This paper considers four aspects of end user computing:false stereotypes, information tasks supported, inconsistencybetween flexibility and formal systems, andcontributions made by information technology.
Depression and substance abuse and dependency in relation to current smoking status and frequency of smoking among nondaily and daily smokers.

Background and Objectives Daily smoking rates are decreasing while intermittent or nondaily smoking rates are increasing. Little is known about the association of depression, alcohol abuse and dependence, and illicit drug abuse and dependence with different patterns of smoking, particularly nondaily smoking. Thus, we examined these relationships among current smokers versus nonsmokers and among those who smoke daily versus less frequently. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of 37,897 adults who participated in the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. We developed logistic regression models examining predictors of (i) current smoking and (ii) number of days smoking per month (1–10 days, 11–29 days, and ≥30 days) among current smokers, focusing on past-year major depression, alcohol abuse and dependence, and illicit drug abuse and dependence. Results Compared to nonsmokers, current smokers more frequently reported a major depressive episode (p < .001), alcohol dependence (p < .001) and abuse (p < .001), and illicit drug dependence (p < .001) and abuse (p < .001), controlling for sociodemographics. Among current smokers, greater smoking frequency was associated with illicit drug dependence (p = .004), but lower likelihood of alcohol dependence (p = .01), alcohol abuse (p = .01), and illicit drug abuse (p = .01). Conclusions Although depression and substance use were associated with greater likelihood of smoking, most measures were inversely associated with frequency of smoking. Thus, it is important to examine underlying mechanisms contributing to these counterintuitive findings in order to inform intervention approaches. Scientific Significance With increased rates of nondaily smoking, developing a greater understanding about the mental health correlates related to this pattern of smoking is critical. (Am J Addict 2013;22:581–589)
Depletion of substance P and glutamate by capsaicin blocks respiratory rhythm in neonatal rat in vitro.

The specific role of the neuromodulator substance P (SP) and its target, the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R), in the generation and regulation of respiratory activity is not known. The preBotzinger complex (preBotC), an essential site for respiratory rhythm generation, contains glutamatergic NK1R-expressing neurones that are strongly modulated by exogenously applied SP or acute pharmacological blockade of NK1Rs. We investigated the effects of capsaicin, which depletes neuropeptides (including SP) and glutamate from presynaptic terminals, on respiratory motor output in medullary slice preparations of neonatal rat that generate respiratory-related activity. Bath application of capsaicin slowed respiratory motor output in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Respiratory rhythm could be restored by bath application of SP or glutamate transporter blockers. Capsaicin also evoked dose-dependent glutamate release and depleted SP in fibres within the preBotC. Our results suggest that depletion of SP (or other peptides) and/or glutamate by capsaicin causes a cessation of respiratory rhythm in neonatal rat slices.
Take Some Time to Look Inside Their Hearts: Hospice Social Workers Contemplate Physician Assisted Suicide

This article presents a subset of data from a larger study that explored the impact of the legal choice of physician assisted suicide (PAS) on hospice providers. Eight social workers shared their personal and professional voices about a very controversial and difficult issue. Oregon is the only place in the country where PAS is legal and these social workers practice in an environment where the choice of PAS has been an option for two years. Three overarching themes emerged from the data: (1) the dilemmas that arise from the hospice philosophy; (2) the conflicts that emerge between the choice of PAS and social works' cardinal values and practice principles; and (3) the struggles with personal values and PAS.
A Statistical Physics Approach to Earthquakes

Earthquakes occur on a hierarchy of faults in response to tectonic stresses. Earthquakes satisfy a variety of scaling relations; the most important is the Guttenberg-Richter frequency magnitude scaling. A variety of simple models have been shown to exhibit similar scaling. These models are said to exhibit self-organized criticality and one of the models, the slider-block model, was developed as a simple analog to earthquakes. We show that an inverse cascade model can explain the behavior of these models. Metastable clusters coalesce in a manner analogous to the development of river networks. This cascade gives the observed scaling for the models and its implications for earthquakes are discussed.
Ozone Measurement from a Balloon Payload Using a New Fast-Response UV-Absorption Photometer

A fast-response dual-beam UV-absorption photometer for balloon-borne measurements of atmospheric ozone is described. Fundamentally, the instrument consists of a mercury lamp, two sample chambers that can be periodically scrubbed of ozone, and two detectors that measure the 254 nm radiation transmitted through the chamber. The ozone absorption cross section at this wavelength is accurately known, hence the ozone number density can be easily calculated. Since the two absorption chambers are identical, virtually continuous measurements of ozone are made by alternating the air sample and the scrubbed sample between the two chambers. At a one second data rate, the minimum detectable concentration of ozone (one standard deviation) is 1.5 × 1010 mol/cm3 (0.6 ppbv at STP). When highly accurate ozone measurements are needed, the effects of the balloon and its payload and the losses of ozone within the instrument itself must be carefully considered. The dual-beam instrument has provided detailed ozone profiles up to 40 km on balloon ascent and on parachute descent.
Close-Out Netting and Risk Management in Over-the-Counter Derivatives

Close-out netting is a credit risk mitigation process that applies to over-the-counter derivative transactions between a defaulting party and a non-defaulting party. It also applies to repurchase agreements and clearing houses. The process consists of three steps: termination of obligations under a contract with a defaulting party, calculation of replacement values, and combining of positive and negative replacement values into a single net payable or receivable. The rationale for close-out netting is the nature of market risk management for over-the-counter derivatives and other financial contract, which involves maintaining a hedged, balanced portfolio by means of offsetting transactions with other counter parties. If a counter party defaults, the portfolio is no longer balanced, so it is necessary either to replace the defaulted transactions or unwind the offsetting transactions. Failure to do so would in effect create open positions that are vulnerable to market fluctuations. Close-out netting makes it possible for intermediaries to manage risks following a default by facilitating the reestablishment of a balanced book. As a result of its credit risk management benefits, close-out netting has enjoyed almost universal support from policy makers as well as from the financial industry. In order for close-out netting to function effectively, however, it is necessary to create exceptions to bankruptcy statute; these exceptions are often called “safe harbors.” Recently, some regulators have called for some discretion over the close-out netting process in resolving failed financial institutions. But there have also been proposals in the United States to remove the safe harbors entirely. While the regulatory proposals will not likely hamper the functioning of the close-out netting process, removing the safe harbors could have significant adverse consequences for financial stability.
Synaptic Plasticity: Short Term

The strength of synaptic transmission can increase or decrease during repetitive presynaptic activity. These changes, usually due to variations in the amount of transmitter released by each action potential, dynamically shape the information transfer characteristics of synapses. Keywords: facilitation; posttetanic potentiation; depression; calcium; transmitter release
Conflict in Sub Saharan Africa: Is Ethnicity to Blame?

Is the underlying cause for conflict in Sub Saharan Africa due to ethnicity? This is the prevailing argument among scholars like Goran Hyden and Donald Horowitz. These scholars believe that conflict between ethnic groups are a result of their experiences with other groups and that said experiences provide a sense of self worth. It is the appraisal of this self worth that dictates whether each group feels superior or inferior to other groups. Further more these scholars feel that modernization, political conflict, and pursuit economic advantage are not viable causes for ethnic conflict. Other authors like Paul Collier, Mahmood Mamdani and Crawford Young would disagree with Hyden and Horowitz. For each of these authors the underlying cause for conflict in Sub Saharan Africa is not ethnicity at all but lack of resources, socioeconomic gain, and political power. This paper will address this inconsistency in the literature and specifically analyze the primary cause of conflict in Sub Saharan African nations today by analyzing the hypothesis that the cause of conflict is a combination of a lack of resources, socioeconomic gain, and political power. Through a qualitative comparative case study approach, I will examine the Rwandan genocide of 1994 and Sudan’s ethnic conflict and genocide in its Darfur region, to access and measure the degree of influence ethnicity had in triggering violence. It is the goal of this paper to contribute to the literature on African stability and nation building.
On the nature of the unfolded intermediate in the in vitro transition of the colicin E1 channel domain from the aqueous to the membrane phase

The transition of the colicin E1 channel polypeptide from a water-soluble to membrane-bound state occurs in vitro at acid pH values that are associated with an unfolded channel structure whose properties qualitatively resemble those of a "molten globule," or "compact unfolded," intermediate state. The role of such a state for activity was tested by comparing the pH dependence of channel-induced solute efflux and the amplitude of the near-UV CD spectrum. The requirement of a partly unfolded state for activity was shown by the coincidence of the onset of channel activity measured for 4 different lipid compositions with the decrease in near-UV CD amplitude as a function of pH. Tertiary constraints on the 3 tryptophans of the colicin channel, assayed by the amplitude of the near-UV CD spectrum, are retained over the pH range 3-4 where channel activity could be measured and, as well, at pH 2. In addition, the tryptophan fluorescence emission spectrum is virtually unchanged over the pH range 2-6. The temperature independence of the near-UV spectrum at pH 3-6 up to 70 degrees C implies that the colicin E1 channel polypeptide is more stable than that of colicin A. A transition between 53 and 58 degrees C in the amplitude of the near-UV CD is consistent with preservation of part of the hydrophobic core in a destabilized state at pH 2. Thus, the unfolded state associated with colicin activity at acidic pH has the properties of a "compact unfolded" state, having some, but not all of the properties of a "molten globule."(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The “basic locative construction” in Gbe languages and Surinamese creoles

This paper compares the conceptualisation and expression of topological relations in Surinamese creoles with that of Gbe languages (which were part of the substrate) and English (the superstrate). It investigates the components of the Basic Locative Construction (BLC), i.e. the most neutral construction that is used to code topology, and the type of situations for which the BLC is used in the languages. It shows that the BLC in the creole and Gbe languages has a locative phrase which is made up of a noun phrase that expresses the Ground and a spatial element that expresses the Search Domain i.e. the specific part of the Ground where the Figure is located. The locative phrase in the creoles also has a preposition but this does not contribute to its spatial meaning. By contrast, English has a locative phrase which is made up of a preposition that expresses the Relation between the Figure and the Ground, and the Search-Domain information. The paper concludes that the Suriname creoles display a strong substrate influence in this spatial domain. There are some differences, which can be attributed to gradual Dutch influence and generalisation on the part of the creoles.
Numerical solutions to some free surface flows through nonhomogeneous media

Steady-state, free surface seepage through a heterogeneous porous medium underlain by a drain at a finite depth is solved using a fixed domain solution technique. The problems investigated are axisymmetric seepage from a circular pond and plane seepage from a symmetric channel. These ponds and channels may have variable shaped bottoms. Since the Baiocchi transformation was used to define a new dependent variable, the form of the permeability function was restricted to a product of functions of the independent variables. Herein the permeability was chosen to be a function of the depth only. For certain forms of this function, namely those having negative gradients, part of the flowfield becomes unsaturated and this violates the assumed saturation of the flowfield in the flow theory. The governing differential equation, which holds in the sense of distributions, is derived for a fixed solution domain and a simple algorithm (a finite difference successive over-relaxation scheme with projection) is given to obtain the solution to these free surface problems. Numerous comparisons are made with published results. Rigorous mathematical justification of the methods used herein can be found in the references cited.