cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-fat meal effect on LDL, HDL, and VLDL particle size and number in the Genetics of Lipid-Lowering drugs and diet network (GOLDN): an interventional study

Postprandial lipemia (PPL) is likely a risk factor for cardiovascular disease but these changes have not been well described and characterized in a large cohort. We assessed acute changes in the size and concentration of total and subclasses of LDL, HDL, and VLDL particles in response to a high-fat meal. Participants (n = 1048) from the Genetics of Lipid-Lowering Drugs and Diet Network (GOLDN) Study who ingested a high-fat meal were included in this analysis. Lipids were measured at 0 hr (fasting), 3.5 hr, and 6 hr after a standardized fat meal. Particle size distributions were determined using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Analyses were stratified by baseline triglycerides (normal vs. elevated) and gender. The effect of PPL on changes in lipoprotein subclasses was assessed using repeated measures ANOVA. Postprandially, LDL-C, HDL-C, VLDL-C, and triglycerides increased regardless of baseline triglyceride status, with the largest increases in VLDL-C and TG; however, those with elevated triglycerides demonstrated larger magnitude of response. Total LDL particle number decreased over the 6-hour time interval, mostly from a decrease in the number of small LDL particles. Similarly, total VLDL particle number decreased due to reductions in medium and small VLDL particles. Large VLDL particles and chylomicrons demonstrated the largest increase in concentration. HDL particles demonstrated minimal overall changes in total particle number. We have characterized the changes in LDL and VLDL particle number, and their subclass patterns following a high-fat meal.
Tacrolimus measurement: building a better immunoassay.

Tacrolimus (formerly known as FK506) is a macrolide immunosuppressant that is used for primary immunosuppression after organ transplantation (1). The landmark work of Starzl at the University of Pittsburgh paved the way for the clinical use of tacrolimus as a primary immunosuppressant, leading to a shift away from cyclosporine use (2–4). Today, tacrolimus is used in the majority of transplant patients (5). Tacrolimus binds to several cytosolic immunophilins of importance; binding to the FK506 binding protein leads to the formation of a complex that interacts with calcium-dependent calcineurin calmodulin translocation pathways that result in prevention of T-cell activation (6). Monitoring blood tacrolimus concentrations is essential in assessing organ rejection and toxicity because of its narrow therapeutic index, wide inter- and intraindividual pharmacokinetic variability, and susceptibility to cytochrome P450–mediated drug interactions (7). Immunoassays play a major role in the analysis of many clinical laboratory analytes and in recent years have become more popular for measuring tacrolimus, replacing the mass spectrometric methods that were initially favored over the earlier immunoassay methods. Measurement of drugs by immunoassay offers the advantages of automation and ease of use (assays available around the clock 7 days a week). Furthermore, this approach does not require specialized trained staff, has the advantage of using commercially available calibrators and reagents, and permits random-access …
STUDY OF A HEAT-RESISTANT PLASTIC LAMINATE FROM THE STANDPOINT OF A MECHANICAL-CHEMICAL EQUATION OF STATE,

Abstract : The object of the study was to analyze the complex degradation history of a heat-resistant epoxy resin laminate using the mechanical-chemical equation of state. A further object was to determine if weight-loss measurements at elevated temperatures could be used to predict long-term rupture strength. Master rupture curves drawn using a second-order parametric form of the equation of state largely clarified the anomolous behavior of the laminate. It was not found possible to predict the long-term mechanical properties from weight-loss data. (Author)
Intensified fuzzy clusters for classifying plant, soil, and residue regions of interest from color images

Abstract Fuzzy excess red (ExR) and excess green (ExG) indices and clustering algorithms: fuzzy c-means (FCM) and Gustafson–Kessel (GK) were studied for unsupervised classification of hidden and prominent regions of interest (ROI) in color images. Images included sunflower, redroot pigweed, soybean, and velvet leaf plants, against bare clay soil, corn residue and wheat residue, typical of the Great Plains. Indices and clusters were enhanced with Zadeh’s (Z) fuzzy intensification technique. Enhanced ROIs were sorted by degree of fuzziness, and recombined into labeled, false-color class images. ROIs with the lowest degree of fuzziness were consistently found to be plant clusters with some of the methods. The ZExG index only classified plant ROIs correctly at 76% (newly emerged) and 74% (young plants) for soil backgrounds, 55–65% for corn residue, and only 12% for young plants with wheat straw. The ZExR index failed for almost all categories, except bare soil. The ZFCM clustering algorithm correctly classified plants from 10 to 69% in bare soil, but failed for plants in corn and wheat residue. The ZGK algorithm classified plants from 16 to 96% in bare soil, and corn residue plants as high as 95%, and wheat straw plants as high as 99%, depending on age category and the relative pixel area of plants within the image. The ZGK algorithm could be potentially useful for remote sensing, mapping, crop management, weed, and pest control for precision agriculture.
Time of One’s Own Employment, Leisure, and Delayed Transition to Motherhood in Japan

Recent theoretical work suggests that the increase in women’s sense of entitlement to leisure has become a key to understanding delay in childbearing in industrialized countries. Using data from the Japanese Panel Study of Consumer Life, the author examines the relationship between leisure time and childbearing among Japanese married women in a recent cohort who delayed childbearing beyond age 25. Results suggest that employment is a strong predictor of nonchildbearing. Controlling for work hours and other sociodemographic variables, married women who spend more leisure time are less likely than their counterparts who spend less leisure time to become a mother 2 years later. Among those who are employed, leisure time, but neither work hours nor occupation, is related to nonchildbearing. These results indicate that Japanese married women who have greater interests in leisure postpone childbearing. Many of them participate in the labor force perhaps because of the leisure opportunities employment provides.
Linoleic acid induces MCP-1 gene expression in human microvascular endothelial cells through an oxidative mechanism

Linoleic acid is a dietary fatty acid that appears to play an important role in activation of the vascular endothelium under a variety of pathological conditions, including development of atherosclerosis or cancer metastasis. Evidence indicates that inflammatory responses may be an underlying cause of endothelial cell pathology induced by linoleic acid. However, the profile of inflammatory mediators and the potential mechanisms involved in inflammatory reactions stimulated by the exposure to linoleic acid are not fully understood. The present study focused on the mechanisms of linoleic acid-induced expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) gene in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1). Treatment of HMEC-1 with increasing doses of linoleic acid markedly activated an oxidative stress-responsive transcription factor, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). In addition, exposure to linoleic acid induced a time- and concentration-dependent overexpression of the MCP-1 gene. Increased MCP-1 mRNA levels were observed in HMEC-1 treated with linoleic acid at doses as low as 10 mM. Linoleic acid-induced overexpression of the MCP-1 gene was associated with a significant elevation of MCP-1 protein levels. Most importantly, preexposure of HMEC-1 to antioxidants, such as pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) or N-acetylcysteine (NAC), attenuated linoleic acid-induced MCP-1 mRNA expression. The obtained results indicate that linoleic acid triggers MCP-1 gene expression in human microvascular endothelial cells through oxidative stress/redox-related mechanisms.
Effects of spike sorting error on information content in multi-neuron recordings

In brain-machine interface (BMI) applications, multi-channel recordings are spike sorted before the single-unit spike trains are used in computational analysis to decode the neural response. Nevertheless, questions about the necessity and effectiveness of spike sorting remain. To address one of those questions regarding how sorting error affects the ability to use these neural recordings for BMI's, Shannon information theory was applied to spike trains simulated with random sorting error. Mutual information rate was found to decrease exponentially with spike sorting error, regardless of type, i.e. whether false negative or false positive. Less than 10% error could be tolerated before the information content dropped to half its maximum value with no error. Implications for BMI applications are discussed.
The development of myopia among children with intermittent exotropia.

Purpose To describe the long-term refractive error changes in children diagnosed with intermittent exotropia (IXT) in a defined population. Design Retrospective, population-based observational study. Methods Using the resources of the Rochester Epidemiology Project, the medical records of all children ( Results One hundred eighty-four children were diagnosed with IXT during the 20-year study period; 135 (73.4%) had 2 or more refractions separated by a mean of 10 years (range, 1–27 years). The Kaplan-Meier rate of developing myopia in this population was 7.4% by 5 years of age, 46.5% by 10 years, and 91.1% by 20 years. There were 106 patients with 2 or more refractions separated by at least 1 year through 21 years of age, of which 43 underwent surgery and 63 were observed. The annual overall progression was −0.26 diopters (SD ± 0.24) without a statistically significant difference between the observed and surgical groups (P = .59). Conclusion In this population-based study of children with intermittent exotropia, myopia was calculated to occur in more than 90% of patients by 20 years of age. Observation versus surgical correction did not alter the refractive outcome.
TCP-SMO: extending TCP to support medium-scale multicast applications

Scalable reliable multicast protocols have been the focus of recent research, tackling the problem of efficient reliable data delivery to an arbitrarily large number of receivers. Yet, the common applications of multicast, such as multi-point file delivery, or video streaming from a media server, typically only involve a moderate number of receivers, such as a thousand or fewer. Moreover, because of the limited deployment of these specialized multicast protocols, it is common, when feasible, for applications to use multiple TCP connections instead, one for each receiver, to implement multi-point delivery, causing a significant demand on the transmission server and the downstream links. We describe a multicast extension to TCP, called single-source multicast optimization (SMO), that optimizes this case of multipoint delivery, providing the benefits of multicast together with the familiar features and API of TCP. Our results from experiments based on a Linux implementation and performed on a testbed show that TCP-SMO requires just a modest extension to the TCP implementation and provides scalable performance of multicast up to over a thousand receivers, thereby satisfying the common case requirements. In addition, used with TCP-RTM (real-time mode), TCP-SMO also supports real-time multimedia multicast applications well.
ABCC9 gene polymorphism is associated with hippocampal sclerosis of aging pathology

Hippocampal sclerosis of aging (HS-Aging) is a high-morbidity brain disease in the elderly but risk factors are largely unknown. We report the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) with HS-Aging pathology as an endophenotype. In collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics Consortium, data were analyzed from large autopsy cohorts: (#1) National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC); (#2) Rush University Religious Orders Study and Memory and Aging Project; (#3) Group Health Research Institute Adult Changes in Thought study; (#4) University of California at Irvine 90+ Study; and (#5) University of Kentucky Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Altogether, 363 HS-Aging cases and 2,303 controls, all pathologically confirmed, provided statistical power to test for risk alleles with large effect size. A two-tier study design included GWAS from cohorts #1–3 (Stage I) to identify promising SNP candidates, followed by focused evaluation of particular SNPs in cohorts #4–5 (Stage II). Polymorphism in the ATP-binding cassette, sub-family C member 9 (ABCC9) gene, also known as sulfonylurea receptor 2, was associated with HS-Aging pathology. In the meta-analyzed Stage I GWAS, ABCC9 polymorphisms yielded the lowest p values, and factoring in the Stage II results, the meta-analyzed risk SNP (rs704178:G) attained genome-wide statistical significance (p = 1.4 × 10−9), with odds ratio (OR) of 2.13 (recessive mode of inheritance). For SNPs previously linked to hippocampal sclerosis, meta-analyses of Stage I results show OR = 1.16 for rs5848 (GRN) and OR = 1.22 rs1990622 (TMEM106B), with the risk alleles as previously described. Sulfonylureas, a widely prescribed drug class used to treat diabetes, also modify human ABCC9 protein function. A subsample of patients from the NACC database (n = 624) were identified who were older than age 85 at death with known drug history. Controlling for important confounders such as diabetes itself, exposure to a sulfonylurea drug was associated with risk for HS-Aging pathology (p = 0.03). Thus, we describe a novel and targetable dementia risk factor.
Child Maltreatment and Adolescent Development

Child abuse and neglect, often collectively called child maltreatment, are huge social problems affecting millions of children and adolescents in America. Adolescents are affected both by maltreatment which occurred during childhood with lingering effects and by maltreatment that continues into or begins in adolescence. Several decades of research indicate such maltreatment is associated with a number of mental health problems, including internalizing and externalizing problems, as well as other maladaptive developmental problems, in childhood and beyond. This is a review of research published from 2000 to 2010 with a specific focus on the nature and impact of child maltreatment on adolescent development. This article focuses on 3 especially critical themes of this recent research: (1) prospective longitudinal studies that examine adolescent adaptation and maladaptation of individuals abused or neglected earlier in life; (2) research that focuses on some developmental outcomes with particular salience during adolescence such as delinquency and substance abuse, romantic relationships, and sexuality; and (3) research that examined psychobiological processes in maltreated adolescents, processes that might indicate the mechanisms underlying maladaptive development.
Gender Differences in the Relationship between Achievement and Self-Image During Early Adolescence

This research tested whether the relationship between school achievement and self-image would show different developmental patterns for girls and boys during early adolescence. The study followed 2...
Bulk electric conductivity response to soil and rock CO2 concentration during controlled CO2 release experiments: Observations and analytic modeling

ABSTRACTTo develop monitoring technologies for geologic CO2 storage, controlled CO2 release experiments at the Zero Emissions Research and Technology (ZERT) site in Bozeman, Montana, USA, were carried out in 2009–2011. To understand the impact on the electric properties of soil and sediment rock due to possible CO2 leakage, we have developed an analytical model to explain and predict the electric conductivity (EC) for CO2 impacted soil and sedimentary rock. Results from the model were compared with the measurements at the ZERT site during 2009–2011 and the CO2-Vadose Project site in France in 2011–2012 after model calibration at each site. The model was calibrated using the saturation (n) and cementation (m) exponents contained in Archie’s equation, and a chemistry coefficient (pKc) as tuning parameters that minimized the misfit between observed and modeled soil/rock bulk conductivity data. The calibration resulted in n=3.15, m=2.95, and pKc=4.7 for the ZERT site, which was within the range of values in t...
Properties of single Drosophila Trpl channels expressed in Sf9 insect cells

The transient receptor potential (trp)-like (trpl) gene is thought to encode an ion channel important for signal transduction in Drosophila photoreceptor cells. Consistent with this hypothesis, heterologous expression of the trpl-encoded protein (Trpl) is associated with the appearance of an outwardly rectifying, nonselective cation current. In the present study, single channels were recorded in cell-attached, inside-out, and outside-out membrane patches from Sf9 insect cells infected with recombinant baculovirus-containing trpl cDNA under control of the polyhedrin promoter. The single-channel current-voltage relationship was linear from -100 to +80 mV with a slope conductance of 89-110 pS. The probability of opening was voltage sensitive, increasing at positive potentials contributing to the outwardly rectifying properties of the whole cell currents. The single channels 1) were never observed in Sf9 cells infected with recombinant baculovirus containing the B2 bradykinin receptor cDNA or in noninfected Sf9 cells; 2) appear at the same time postinfection as the Trpl whole cell current; 3) were nonselective with respect to Na+, Ca2+, and Ba2+; 4) were blocked by 1-2 mM La3+ and Gd3+ (but not 10 microM); and 5) were blocked by 4-8 mM Mg2+. The single Trpl channel activity increased spontaneously with time after patch formation, and the activity was further increased by application of bradykinin to cells expressing both the B2 bradykinin receptor and the Trpl protein. These results suggest that this single-channel activity reflects expression of the Trpl protein and provides conclusive evidence that trpl encodes a nonselective cation channel consistent with its proposed role in Drosophila phototransduction.
Reforming Stock Markets & Firm Governance and Argument for Mini Regional Stock Exchanges (Toward Disaggregation of Economy)

With the Nobel Prize in economics for the year 2013 awarded to the scholars who have juxtaposed the theories on efficiency, and doubtlessly asserting the inefficiency of financial markets by reasoning disconnect and volatility in asset prices, reforming stock markets and corporate governance practices have regained global significance in the fields of economics, finance and management. I would like to draw following implications, from my discussions in previous two posts on markets and mini-stock exchanges that are of much significance to the whole economy as they are to individual investors. Before listing implications, I would like to draw attention to empirical studies that have identified the sources of ‘bias’ and ‘volatility’ to factors such as information asymmetry, insider trading, playing-to-the-gallery attitude (attractive announcements), greed, fashion, fads, and bubbles, suggesting how market inefficiency occurs and why speculative prices do not sail along with either intrinsic value of assets or potential future returns. Scholars would like to call these sources and their consequences as anomalies of stock market. (Please refer to full article for the references: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2592843)
Breeding of WA-type Indica CMS Line Shiyou A with Good Grain Quality

Shiyou A is a new WA-type indica CMS line with genetic relations to japonica and javanica rice.It has stable and complete male sterility,high outcrossing rate and good responsivity to GA3,good restorability and high combining ability.Its milling and appearance grain quality traits meet the second class of national standards for fine quality rice no matter whether it is planted in early or late season.It is easy to obtain a high yield in its multiplication and hybrid seed production.Shiyou A and its hybrid Shiyou 838(Shiyou A/Fuhui 838) were both certified in Guangxi in March,2006.
Research of fault self-recovery monitoring on rotor rub-impact based on quantum regulation

The rotor rub-impact is one of the most common faults in revolving machines.In order to ensure normal operation of the rotor system,a way of fault self-recovery monitoring on the early rotor rub-impact was presented.It was based on the fault mechanism analysis of rotor rub-impact using the quantum regulation technique.The method was not meant to consider any reasons for the rotor rub-impact.As long as a force was exerted to offset the rub-impact fault force,the rotor could be returned to its normal condition.Fault self-recovery mechanisms of rotor rub-impact on quantum regulation,preparation on the initial quantum conditions,measurement of the target quantum,and design of the fault self-recovery monitoring system on rotor rub-impact along with its realization technique were studied.Results show that this method is simple in operation and its usage is convenient.It can effectively prevent occurrence of rotor rub-impact and can obtain a satisfactory effect in early rub-impact.It provides a new way for on-line elimination of rotor rub-impact.
Allergy in the geriatric population.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Allergies and asthma have long been considered diseases of children and young adults. They are, however, prevalent among older patients also. This article summarizes findings on the diagnosis and treatment of allergies and asthma in the older population. RECENT FINDINGS Allergies and asthma occur with fair frequency in older patients. Remembering to look and test for these problems enables better treatment and symptom control for these patients. Immunotherapy works well in this population. SUMMARY Regardless of the patient's age, the differential diagnosis for sinonasal and dyspnea complaints should include allergies and asthma. Diagnosis is straightforward, and appropriate treatment improves quality of life.
Alexithymia and illness behaviour among female Indian outpatients with multiple somatic symptoms.

Sixty Indian muslim women outpatients with multiple somatic complaints of nonorganic origin were assessed for alexithymia and abnormal illness behavior using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) and the Illness Behaviour Assessment Schedule (IBAS). Alexithymia represented by TAS scores correlated best with the IBAS variables of communication of affect, somatic illness causal beliefs and denial. Correlation with other IBAS variables was modest to poor.There was no correlation of IBAS variables with age of patient, duration of illness or nature of diagnosis: somatoform disorder or anxiety and depressive disorders, The study showed that alexithymia and illness behaviour are overlapping constructs and confirmed the usefulness of TAS as an instrument to discriminate between patients with anxiety/ depressive disorders and somatoform disorders.
Risk Factors for 30-Day Readmission Following Shoulder Arthroscopy.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate a large population of shoulder arthroscopy cases in order to provide insight into the risk factors associated with readmission following this common orthopaedic procedure. Methods The American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was queried using current procedural terminology (CPT) billing codes to identify all patients older than 18 years of age who underwent shoulder arthroscopy between 2011 and 2013. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with 30-day readmission. Results We identified 15,015 patients who had undergone shoulder arthroscopy, with a 30-day readmission rate of 0.98%. The most common reason for readmission was pulmonary embolism (0.09%). On multivariate analysis, operative time > 1.5 hours (odds ratio [OR], 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29 to 2.50), age 40 to 65 years (OR, 3.80; 95% CI, 1.37 to 10.59), age > 65 years (OR, 3.91; 95% CI, 1.35 to 11.35), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class 3 (OR, 4.53; 95% CI, 1.90 to 10.78), ASA class 4 (OR, 7.73; 95% CI, 2.91 to 27.25), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; OR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.54 to 4.55), and chronic steroid use (OR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.46 to 6.01) were identified as independent risk factors for readmission. Conclusions Operative time > 1.5 hours, age > 40 years, ASA classes 3 or 4, COPD, and chronic steroid use are independent risk factors for readmission following elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery, although the readmission rate following these procedures is low. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Detecting Incompressibility of Boundary in 3-Manifolds

A construction is presented which can be utilized to prove incompressibility of boundary in a 3-manifold W. One constructs a new 3-manifold DW by doubling W along a subsurface in its boundary. If DW is hyperbolic, and if W has compressible boundary, then DW must have a longitude of 'length' less than 4. This can be applied to show that an arc α that is a candidate for an unknotting tunnel in a 3-manifold cannot be an unknotting tunnel. It can also be used to show that a 'tubed surface' is incompressible. For knot and link complements in S3, and α an unknotting tunnel, DW is almost always hyperbolic. Empirically, this construction appears to provide a surprisingly effective procedure for demonstrating that specific arcs are not unknotting tunnels.
Advanced integrated sensor and layer transfer technologies for wearable bioelectronics

We discuss two emerging technologies that are central for realizing an optically powered flexible bioelectronic system. First, we discuss layer transfer through controlled spalling technology for producing high-performance flexible electronics. We present three examples: (1) advanced-node ultra-thin body silicon integrated circuits on plastic, (2) strain engineering in flexible electronics, and (3) flexible GaAs photovoltaic energy harvesters. Second, a 4-terminal biosensor is presented that is compatible with ultra-thin body silicon CMOS technology. Through in vitro glucose sensing, we demonstrate that the 4-terminal integrated biosensor enables the amplification of biochemical signals at the device level. These advanced technologies can give rise to an unprecedented boost in the performance and functionality of next-generation wearable devices.
Antisemitism and Its Critics

I might as well admit it. I am one of those who struggle against antisemitism. I tend to think about it a lot. I read and reflect; I write about it sometimes. I take action when I can. I even formulated some ideas, a theory of sorts, playing my part, adding my bit to the growing number of accounts of it. You could say that I have been moved, nay, mobilised to criticise antisemitism, fight against it. I am no imaginary Jew, I do not think, not one of those Alain Finkielkraut used to think of at least; nor am I as empirically ignorant of antisemitism as Yoav Shamir claimed to be before his documentary Defamation (and perhaps after it as well).1 I could easily count myself among those who think that it ‘is right to voice concern about rising anti-Semitism, and every progressive Jew, along with every progressive person, ought to be vigorously challenging anti-Semitism wherever it occurs’.2 I am for myself, then, ‘anti-antisemite’. Most definitely, yes. Yes, I am. And I do believe that Jonathan Judaken has offered a strong justification for this admittedly awkward term when he wrote that ‘anti-antisemitism clearly denotes an opposition to prejudices and stereotypes related to Jews, Judaism, and Jewishness, and anti-antisemites resist the institutionalization of discrimination against Jews’.3 It is true that I have felt inclined to empathise with Hannah Arendt, with her infamous reservations about her love of the Jewish people, but this too I must confess: I come very close to being a philosemite. Although this word too, Judaken points out, may be troubling: ‘The term philosemitism implies a love of Jews and Judaism. However, its usage almost always refers to those who oppose antisemitism but who often lack an understanding of the history, culture, and religion of the Jews’ (p. 20). Just the same, I trust that the notion may be capacious enough to include someone like me. But I wish to insist on keeping the two tendencies distinct. The philosemite in me is not the anti-antisemite in me.
Urban Space Explorer: A Visual Analytics System for Urban Planning

Understanding people’s behavior is fundamental to many planning professions (including transportation, community development, economic development, and urban design) that rely on data about frequently traveled routes, places, and social and cultural practices. Based on the results of a practitioner survey, the authors designed Urban Space Explorer, a visual analytics system that utilizes mobile social media to enable interactive exploration of public-space-related activity along spatial, temporal, and semantic dimensions.
Outcomes of Planned Two-Stage Hybrid Aortic Repair With Dacron-Replaced Proximal Landing Zone

Background Results of hybrid arch repair (HAR) using the native zone 0 proximal landing zone (PLZ) have been unsatisfactory in many series, especially in the setting of ascending aortic dilation (>4.0 cm). This study reports early and late outcomes of planned two-stage HAR with open first-stage proximal aortic replacement, followed by second-stage thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with PLZ within the Dacron-replaced zone 0. Methods Between January 2006 and August 2017, 34 patients underwent planned two-stage HAR. The first-stage proximal aortic replacement included ascending aorta (with or without valve, with or without root) and total arch replacement, which was performed with creation of an elephant trunk in 22 patients (65%) and without an elephant trunk in 12 (35%). Primary outcomes included 30-day/in-hospital results and Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall/aorta-specific survival and freedom from reintervention. Results Mean age was 59 ± 12 years. Both stages of repair were completed in a single hospitalization in 53% of patients, including operations done since January 2012. The 30-day/in-hospital rates of mortality, stroke, permanent paraparesis/plegia, and new dialysis were 6%, 3%, 0%, and 0%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier overall and aorta-specific survivals at 5 years were 63% and 94%, respectively, with 5-year freedom from reintervention of 78%. Conclusions Planned two-stage HAR with open first-stage proximal aortic replacement, followed by second-stage TEVAR with Dacron-replaced PLZ yields excellent short-term and long-term results, including low rates of reintervention likely due to the long-segment PLZ within the Dacron-replaced aorta. The technique should be considered in patients with even mild (>4.0 cm) ascending aortic dilation in whom HAR is otherwise the preferred treatment option.
DANIELL AND DANIELL-BOCHNER TYPE INTEGRALS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses Daniell and Daniell–Bochner type integrals. If X is any abstract space and R is the space of reals without infinities, then the product space RX of all functions from X into R forms a linear lattice with ordinary operations of scalar multiplication, addition, and supremum and infimum of two functions. The chapter presents a few examples of Daniell integrals that are not Lebesgue integrals. Linear lattices closed under point-wise or dominated convergence can be characterized in terms of measurability with respect to their carriers. It is easy to give an axiomatic characterization of Daniell–Bochner integrals and to obtain their theory directly from the axioms.
Live Cell Imaging for Studying G Protein-Coupled Receptor Activation in Single Cells

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the single largest family of target proteins for drugs of pain and anesthesia. Non-invasive assays based on the activity of G protein-based sensors in living cells allow the identification of potentially novel compounds for anesthesia and pain management with high specificity. Quantitative information about the efficacy of any molecule or drug compound that acts through a GPCR can be obtained through this approach. Furthermore, live cell assays provide spatio temporal information that is valuable in high content screening of compounds. Here, we describe the use of various fluorescently tagged G protein subunits and methods for using translocation and FRET-based G protein sensors in studying GPCR activation in living cells.
Using chess knowledge to reduce search

The current generation of computer chess programs select a move by exploring huge lookahead trees (millions of positions). Human masters, on the other hand, appear to use a knowledge-intensive approach to chess (see Chapter 2). They seem to have a huge number of stored “patterns,” and analyzing a position involves matching these patterns to suggest plans for attack or defense. This analysis is verified and possibly corrected by a small search of the game tree (tens of positions). Since the best humans still play better chess than the best programs, it is reasonable to explore computer programming strategies for using chess knowledge rather than extensive searching. This chapter describes a program named PARADISE (PAttern Recognition Applied to DIrecting SEarch) which uses this approach in an attempt to find the best move in tactically sharp middle game positions from the games of chess masters.
Abstract P137: Arterial Stiffness in Diabetic Patients on Oral Antidiabetic Agents V/s a Combination of Oral Antidiabetic Agents Plus Insulin

In a previous publication (Journal of the American Society of Hypertension 2014;8(4):e35-e36 we did a comparison study of arterial stiffness in diabetic pts taking oral antidiabetic agents (ODA) v/...
Spatial Analysis of Urban Flooding and Extreme Heat Hazard Potential in Portland, OR

Abstract Mapping individual and combined hazard potential within a city is key to understanding how urban populations may disproportionately exposed to hazards at different times of the year. Using a Topographic Wetness Index (TWI) and an Urban Heat Index (UHI) to model winter flood and summer heat hazard potential respectively, this research uses a geographic information system (GIS) to develop a combined index, and tests for relationships between sociodemographic variables and environmental hazard potential. Along with data from the American Community Survey, and tax lot information, index values are summarized by census block groups, and tested against sociodemographic and biophysical variables for correlations. An exploratory regression identifies unique combinations of variables that produce the highest degree of explanation across all census block groups. Spatial models, including a spatial error model, spatial lag model and a geographically weighted regression (GWR) model further tests how relationships vary across Portland, and identifies areas that may face acute impacts from flooding and heat. Results show combined sewer pipe density, green space, impervious surface, population density, and percentage of population without higher education explained 69% of the variation of the combined hazard potential. GWR further identified how these variables were non-stationary across space in their relationship with the combined hazard index and explained 80% of the variation of combined hazard potential. Our findings offer practitioners and researchers a dual-hazard perspective for assessing the role of socioeconomic conditions when designing resilient infrastructure.
Photosynthetic production of the nitrogen-rich compound guanidine

The development of an sustainable economy calls for improved energy utilization and storage technologies. Although battery- and carbon-based routes have gained tremendous attention, nitrogen-based routes have rarely been exploited so far. Guanidine (CH5N3) which contains 71.1% nitrogen by mass is an exemplary chemical to explore the nitrogen-based routes of energy utilization and storage. Guanidine has a variety of applications including its use as a slow-release fertilizer, a propellant, or as a precursor to pharmaceuticals and antimicrobial polymers. The conventional chemical synthesis of guanidine through the Frank–Caro process is energy-intensive, consumes fossil fuels, and is detrimental to the environment. Herein, a de novo guanidine biosynthesis (GUB) cycle is proposed with CO2 and nitrate/ammonium as the carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. The ATP and NAD(P)H needed to drive the GUB cycle are generated via photosynthesis in an engineered cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 expressing an ethylene-forming enzyme (EFE). Up to 586.5 mg L−1 (9.9 mM) guanidine was produced after seven days of photoautotrophic cultivation, with an average productivity of 83.8 mg L−1 day−1. In addition, guanidine was directly biosynthesized from CO2, N2 and H2O in an engineered N2-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 expressing the EFE. This work demonstrates the first biological conversion of renewable solar energy into chemical energy stored in the nitrogen-rich compound guanidine, which could shed light on harnessing the biological nitrogen metabolism for energy utilization and storage.
Search for Rare 3 and 4-Body D0 Decays at FNAL E791

Limits at the 10**-4 level are reported for rare and forbidden decays of the D0 charm meson to a pair of leptons and either a vector meson or two pseudoscalar mesons. Of these searches, 18 are investigations of decays without previous published results; several others have significantly improved sensitivity over previous results.
Phagocytosis of damaged 9L glioma cells by microglia/macrophages isolated from adult rat brains

1283 The ability of microglia/macrophages to remove damaged tumor cells was examined to better understand the endogenous immune responses that may ensue following brain tumor therapies. 9L rat glioma cells were damaged by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation for 10 minutes, 30 hours before use in phagocytosis assays. The glioma cells were then stained with Annexin-V-APC, which binds to phosphatidylserine (PS) on their cell surfaces and is an indicator of apoptotic death. CD11b+ microglia/macrophages isolated from 9L-bearing adult rat brains were plated two hours prior to their use in phagocytosis assays. Undamaged 9L cells (17.3% PS+) or UV-irradiated 9L cells (72.1% PS+) were then added to the microglia/macrophages at a 1:1 ratio and co-incubated for 3 hours. Cytochalasin D, which prevents phagocytic function by inhibiting actin cytoskeleton polymerization, was added to control wells. The percentage of microglia/macrophages phagocytosing glioma cells was then determined by subtracting the background binding observed in the control wells from the experimental wells. Eight percent of the microglia/macrophages phagocytosed UV-irradiated 9L cells, but none of the undamaged 9L cells were taken up by microglia/macrophages. Furthermore, 14% of the microglia/macrophages isolated from the rat brain were positive for the PS receptor. The addition of Annexin-V-biotin to the UV-irradiated cells 30 minutes prior to the phagocytosis assay blocked phagocytic function by 88%, implicating the interaction of PS and the PS receptor as a signal for the engulfment of damaged glioma cells by microglia/macrophages. Support: NIH F31 NS44074 & RO1 NS56798
Construindo e interrompendo a autoridade irlandesa de desenvolvimento industrial

Actor-network theory is considered to have great potential for broadening and deepening our grasp of institutional work (LAWRENCE; SUDDABY, 2006). Given its focus on process, ANT offers a means to breathe life into the practices associated with institutionalization. With Callon’s (1986) four moments of translation as analytical lens, and with Ireland’s Industrial Development Authority as empirical example, I seek to address the concerns of Clegg and Machado da Silva (2009) by reconsidering “the role of agency, power, persistence and change in the process of institutionalization”.
Utilizing plane group symmetry to favor noncentrosymmetry in three-dimensional crystals

Materials that lack inversion symmetry (noncentrosymmetric) demonstrate a diversity of desirable optical and electronic properties in bulk such as second harmonic generation, chiral emission, and p...
Group Medical Visits: experiences with patient and resident implementation

ABSTRACTObjective: Patients with diabetes must navigate multiple components of care to self-manage their disease. Group Medical Visits (GMVs) are a forum for patients to see a provider as well as a...
Climate Impact on Egyptian Agriculture: An Efficiency Analysis Approach

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2018 special report on the implications of 1.5° warming (SR 1.5) concludes that the expected impacts of the 2° increase are more critical than expected leading to imminent critical tipping points. Additionally, the report indicates that there is a window of only 12 years to take actions to achieve the 1.5° target. While Africa is contributing the least to global warming by 4% of global greenhouse-gas emissions, it is one of the vulnerable regions to Climate Change (CC) effects. The objective of this study is to assess different climatic variables on the technical efficiency of the cereal crops production in the largest five producing governorates in Egypt. This objective will be achieved through using panel frontier model to assess the impact of average maximum temperature, humidity and solar radiation on the wheat, rice and maize producing governorates. Results of the analysis show that the average maximum temperature and humidity contribute to worsening the technical efficiency of the cereals producers.
The Human Genome Project: Where Are We Now and Where Are We Going?

In the 1970s an explosion in our understanding of genetics and biochemistry led to the development of novel laboratory techniques such as restriction enzymes, cloning vectors, nucleic acid hybridization, and DNA sequencing, which revolutionized molecular biology research. In this fertile atmosphere, the seeds of genome sequencing were sown. The progressive spirit pervading research in the life sciences at this time helped to fuel the conception of the Human Genome Project (HGP), whose primary aims were to determine the identity of the three billion nucleotides comprising the human genome and characterize the full repertoire of genes encoded therein. Delineation of the human genome sequence has consequently enhanced our understanding of human genetics, and ignited the development of such diverse disciplines as comparative genomics, pharmacogenetics, and nutrigenomics. The fruits of the HGP directly contributed to the creation of the HapMap and 1,000 Genomes projects, which has since provided the basis for whole genome association (WGA) studies, thereby facilitating elucidation of the genetic variants that underlie the development of complex diseases including cancer, diabetes, autoimmune syndromes, and neurological disorders. Thus, the HGP continues to exert a significant influence upon our comprehension of human genetics, our understanding of complex disease susceptibility, and ultimately, the manner in which scientific research is currently conducted.
Reconsidering Traditional Medicinal Plants to Combat COVID-19

COVID-19 is a deadly disease, caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that is rapidly spreading across the globe and causing many fatalities. Currently the disease has no treatment available in the form of medicine or vaccine. Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine, being practiced in India for nearly 5000 years and relies majorly on plants for its formulations. These herbal formulations and immunity boosters may show us the path to come up with broad-spectrum antiviral products, which is the need of the hour. In this review, we have selected plants like Phyllanthus sp., Andrographis paniculata, Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale, Glycyrrhiza glabra, and Withania somnifera with reported antiviral properties. While others like Tinospora cordifolia and Emblica officinalis have immunity boosting properties. Adhatoda vasica and Ocimum sanctum are selected based on their traditional use in relieving respiratory illnesses.
Treatment Decision Making and Financial Toxicity in Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Abstract Introduction Oncologists have increasingly been proponents of shared decision making (SDM) to enhance patient outcomes and reduce unnecessary health care spending. However, its effect on patient out-of-pocket costs is unknown. This study investigated the relationship between patient preferences for SDM and financial toxicity (FT) in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Patients and Methods This cross-sectional study utilized surveys of women aged ≥ 18 with MBC who received care at two academic hospitals in Alabama from 2017 to 2019. Patients self-reported their SDM preference (Control Preferences Scale) and FT (Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity [COST] tool; 11-item scale, with lower scores indicating worse FT). Effect sizes were calculated using the proportion of variance explained (R2) or Cramer’s V. Differences in FT by SDM preference were estimated using mixed models clustered by site and treating medical oncologist. Results In 95 women with MBC, 44% preferred SDM, 29% preferred provider-driven decision making, and 27% preferred patient-driven decision making. Patients preferring SDM were more often college educated (53% vs. 39%; V = 0.12) with an income greater than $40,000/y (55% vs. 43%; V = 0.18). Overall median COST was 22 (interquartile range, 16-29). After adjusting for patient demographic and clinical characteristics, patients preferring patient-driven decision making trended toward worse FT (COST 17: 95% confidence interval, 12-22) compared to those preferring SDM (COST 19: 95% confidence interval, 15-23) and those preferring provider-driven decision making (COST 22: 95% confidence interval, 17-27). Conclusion Patients preferring more patient-driven decision making reported worse FT, although differences did not reach statistical significance. Further research is needed to understand this relationship.
Effects of Crop and Weed Management on Density and Vertical Distribution of Weed Seeds in Soil

Cultural practices used for crop management can influence numbers of weed seeds in the soil seed bank. This paper reports results of field experiments conducted for 6 yr to examine changes in weed seed numbers due to management practices. We evaluated the effect of tillage, herbicide application, and interrow cultivation on weed seed numbers in a soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]/corn (Zea mays L.) rotation and in continuous corn. Treatment effects on weed seed numbers were more repetitive in soybean/corn than continuous corn. Foxtails (Setaria spp.) were the weed class most affected by treatments. Weed seeds were uniformly distributed among sampling depths in conventional tillage and concentrated near the soil surface in reduced tillage and no-tillage. We expected weed seeds to become more numerous in the top 5 em of soil as tillage was reduced. Tillage, as a main effect, rarely influenced weed seed numbers; therefore, we inferred that weed seed losses at the surface must have increased in reduced-tillage plots. Seed numbers were uniform among soil depths if herbicides were broadcast, but differed if herbiddes were banded or omitted, due to increased seed deposition at the surface. Tillage affected vertical distribution of seeds, while the quantity of weed seeds in the top 5 cm of soil was regulated by weed control practices. This indicates that reducing weed seed deposition could be helpful for maintaining weed seeds in reduced-tillage systems at numbers similar to those of intensively tilled systems.