cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neuronal Cilia and Obesity

Obesity is an emerging public health concern that has numerous secondary health consequences, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, and overall reduced quality of life. Historically, obesity has been viewed as increased body fat caused by overconsumption of food, combined with the sedentary lifestyle of modern society. Simply put, energy input exceeds energy output, creating an excess in fat mass. This viewpoint largely focuses on environmental and social factors in the obesity epidemic. However, it fails to take into account a growing body of evidence from several monogenetic human obesity disorders and mutant mouse and rat obesity models that indicate a profound role for genetic factors. Although most of these monogenetic human conditions are rare, it is clear that the study of their molecular and cellular etiology will offer insights into the mechanisms that regulate appetite and satiety. The objectives of this review are to discuss how mutations in genes required for the formation or function of the cilium result in obesity in human and mouse models and how the cilium may function to regulate appetite and satiation responses.
Writing the Special Period: An Introduction

It is always a challenge to bracket a time period and categorize it as a historical epoch. The Special Period, not unlike the Cold War, the twentieth century, or the 1960s, is not only a historical convention, or an analytical construct, but also a defining category of experience. For most people, the invocation of these chronological referents is metonymic of a broad range of events, aesthetics, experiences, emotions, acts, and attitudes. Alain Badiou (2007) in The Century attempts precisely to identify the unifying tropes that define the twentieth century, the period’s imagination—its epochal dream-worlds, to use Susan Buck-Morss’s (2000) felicitous expression. There is, no doubt, something powerful about conventional time frames, like a century. Such a time frame, within a specific geographical space, is often identified with a collective type of consciousness—in Badiou’s case, the European West. Badiou’s project is to pin down “how the century thought itself,” that is, the epochal consciousness that key Western intellectuals expressed in their works during that time; how they imagined, or rather abstracted, the time in which they were living as a centurial period and how they represented it. Just as importantly, how they confronted it. In a nutshell, Badiou examined what
Prime time religion

Speaking at a gathering of the Virat Hindu Sammelan (Mammoth Hindu Assembly), one of the guests of honor, Ramanand Sagar, spoke of his work as the maker (producer–director–script writer) of the Ramayan serial. All he had done was to take a cloth, he said, and wipe the dust of the old treasures everyone knew about, but had lately ignored. That had been the extent of his role, he concluded modestly. That was how the Ramayan serial should be perceived, he was saying, as a reminder of a forgotten presence. Its production was therefore a simple matter, requiring no thought or skill, he implied. Sagar's humility notwithstanding, his statement said something interesting about television: even when depicting something as contrived as a pre–historic epic, the medium could be treated as transparent, and as having no effect of its own. The politically charged decision to broadcast a mythological serial on a government medium, at a time when Hindu–Muslim relations had been wracked by violence, and Sagar's own decision to offer an obscurantist rendition of the narrative, at times reinforcing themes of the VHP's own campaign (see below), receded in his homely explanation. The salient event appeared rather to be that of story telling, his modesty reflecting in its own way the importance of the teller, in a society where television was still a recent arrival.
Abstract 1779: Risk factors for early-onset ER- and ER+ breast cancer in African American women

Introduction: Relative to white women, African American (AA) women have a disproportionately high incidence of early-onset breast cancer, particularly higher incidence of aggressive breast cancer subtypes such as estrogen receptor (ER) negative tumors. Elucidation of risk factors for early-onset of specific subtypes of breast cancer is needed. Methods: We evaluated associations of reproductive and lifestyle factors with early-onset invasive breast cancer, defined as diagnosis before age 50, in 47,212 AA women ages 21-49 in the Black Women9s Health Study (BWHS). The BWHS is an ongoing prospective cohort study in the U.S. that began in 1995. Risk factor information is updated every two years via mailed questionnaires. Incident cases were self-reported on biennial questionnaires or identified through death records and confirmed by medical records and cancer registry data. Through 2013, we identified 192 ER- and 322 ER+ invasive breast cancers diagnosed before age 50. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression, stratified by age, to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations of family history of breast cancer, age at menarche, parity, age at first birth, years since last birth, lactation, body mass index (recent and at age 18), waist-to-hip ratio, oral contraceptive use, alcohol consumption, smoking history, and physical activity, with risk of ER- and ER+ early-onset breast cancer, separately. Results: The strongest associations were observed for family history of breast cancer, early age at menarche, and lower body mass index at age 18, and these factors were associated with increased incidence of both ER- and ER+ breast cancer. Oral contraceptive use within the past 10 years was also associated with increased risk of both subtypes. High waist-to-hip ratio (HR for top tertile vs. bottom: 1.46, 95% CI: 0.98, 2.19) and high parity (HR for 3+ births vs. 1: 1.43, 95% CI: 0.88, 2.32) were associated with increased risk of ER- breast cancer, while breastfeeding was associated with a reduced risk (HR for ever vs. never: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.47, 0.97). In contrast, higher parity was associated with a reduced risk of ER+ cancer (HR for 3+ births vs. 1: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.45, 1.01). Recent pregnancy (HR for Conclusions: Differential associations of risk factors for ER- vs. ER+ breast cancers in young AA women suggest etiological heterogeneity by tumor subtypes. These differences could explain, in part, disparities in breast cancer incidence and mortality between black and white women. Some identified risk factors are potentially modifiable, suggesting possible opportunities for prevention. Citation Format: Kimberly A. Bertrand, Lynn Rosenberg, Julie R. Palmer. Risk factors for early-onset ER- and ER+ breast cancer in African American women. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1779.
Automated measurements of fish within a trawl using stereo images from a Camera-Trawl device (CamTrawl)

Abstract We present a method to automatically measure fish from images taken using a stereo-camera system installed in a large trawl (CamTrawl). Different visibility and fish density conditions were evaluated to establish accuracy and precision of image-based length estimates when compared with physical length measurements. The automated image-based length estimates compared well with the trawl catch values and were comparable with manual image processing in good visibility conditions. Greatest agreement with trawl catch occurred when fish were within 2 0 ∘ of fully lateral presentation to the cameras, and within 150 cm of the cameras. High turbidity caused substantial over- and underestimates of length composition, and a greater number of incompletely extracted fish outlines. Multiple estimates of individual fish lengths showed a mean coefficient of variation (CV) of 3% in good visibility conditions. The agreement between manual and automated fish measurement estimates was not correlated with fish length or range from the camera ( r 2 = 0 – 0.08 ). Implementation of these methods can result in a large increase in survey efficiency, given the effort required to process the trawl catch.
Determination of the thickness of an electrodeposited thorium film with SiC alpha detectors

Alpha spectroscopy can be used to quantify actinide (e.g., U, Pu) concentration in a molten salt electrorefining environment. One could electroplate actinide samples directly onto a semiconductor alpha particle detector to obtain representative isotopic concentrations from a measured alpha particle energy spectrum. In this work, we fabricated a SiC Schottky device that can be partially biased to a depletion depth of 8.8 µm that is able to measure the energy spectrum of 4.012 MeV alpha particles emitted from a thorium film with a thickness. We also present a method in calculating the thickness of a medium thick alpha source with a dE/dx detector.
Biomedicine: An eye on retinal recovery.

Retinal-cell transplants restore vision in mouse models of retinal degeneration. It emerges that the transplant leads to an exchange of material between donor and host cells — not to donor-cell integration into the retina, as had been presumed.
Call and Response: A D’Var Torah on Parshat Vayechi

In Genesis, the last recorded words by sons to their fathers consistently evoke deception or half-truth, irony, or anguish. The Rabbis, however, could not leave it at that. According to Midrash, when Jacob faltered as he was about to bless his sons, they reassured him with the words of the Shema, the Jewish declaration of faith, and Jacob (Israel) responded, “Blessed be the glory of [God’s] Kingship for all time.” This Midrash is one of the explanations for why the line beginning “Blessed Be” is included in the liturgical recitation of the Shema even though it does not appear in the Biblical text. It also links the Shema structurally to the patterns of call and response that mark those few parts of the liturgy that require a minyan. The Shema, although not strictly speaking a call and response, it is in some sense our call to ourselves, both individually and collectively. And silently reciting “Blessed Be…” is thus our individual and collective response, our affirmation that, even in the face of our own half-truths, irony, and anguish, as well as our inadequate acts, we are entitled to praise God in God’s eternity.This talk also touches on various related questions of both theology and liturgical practice.
Force Interacts with Macromolecular Structure in Activation of TGF-β

Integrins are adhesion receptors that transmit force across the plasma membrane between extracellular ligands and the actin cytoskeleton. In activation of the transforming growth factor-β1 precursor (pro-TGF-β1), integrins bind to the prodomain, apply force, and release the TGF-β growth factor. However, we know little about how integrins bind macromolecular ligands in the extracellular matrix or transmit force to them. Here we show how integrin αVβ6 binds pro-TGF-β1 in an orientation biologically relevant for force-dependent release of TGF-β from latency. The conformation of the prodomain integrin-binding motif differs in the presence and absence of integrin binding; differences extend well outside the interface and illustrate how integrins can remodel extracellular matrix. Remodelled residues outside the interface stabilize the integrin-bound conformation, adopt a conformation similar to earlier-evolving family members, and show how macromolecular components outside the binding motif contribute to integrin recognition. Regions in and outside the highly interdigitated interface stabilize a specific integrin/pro-TGF-β orientation that defines the pathway through these macromolecules which actin-cytoskeleton-generated tensile force takes when applied through the integrin β-subunit. Simulations of force-dependent activation of TGF-β demonstrate evolutionary specializations for force application through the TGF-β prodomain and through the β- and not α-subunit of the integrin.
Intermittent and perennial macroinvertebrate communities had similar richness but differed in species trait composition depending on flow duration

While intermittent stream research has increased dramatically in recent decades, it remains difficult to predict traits that allow biota to persist in response to reduced flows and prolonged intermittent conditions. We quantified flow duration (FD) in ten reaches of six streams previously categorized as intermittent or perennial in north-central Arkansas. Macroinvertebrates were sampled in six streams in autumn and spring following a summer when six reaches did not maintain connected flow and four that maintained connected flow. Seasonal changes in discharge altered wetted habitat availability in all reaches and differences in FD influenced the magnitude of change in habitat availability. Richness increased in all reaches in spring due to more taxa that were poor dispersers, with traits such as low crawling rate and weak female dispersal. Richness was similar across reaches in both seasons but macroinvertebrate communities differed depending on FD. Perennial reaches were characterized by large predators and rheophilic taxa, while reaches with shorter FD were characterized by shredders and non-insect taxa. This study can inform conservation and restoration activities that aim to improve or maintain connectivity between intermittent and perennial habitats to increase local biodiversity.
Hidradenitis suppurativa in children: The Henry Ford experience.

Background Although recent hidradenitis suppurativa studies have shown that early-onset disease is associated with a positive family history and more widespread disease, research in pediatric hidradenitis suppurativa is limited. Methods Thirty-three children diagnosed with hidradenitis suppurativa during an 18-month period were included in this institutional review board-approved, retrospective chart review. Information on demographic characteristic, family history, and timing of onset (prepubescent vs postpubescent) was extracted. The Fisher exact test, Cochran-Armitage exact trend test, and chi-square test were used to examine the association between prepubescent or postpubescent onset of hidradenitis suppurativa and sex, disease severity, and family history. Results A significantly higher percentage of patients with postpubescent onset were female (85.7%) than male (14.3%), whereas those with prepubescent onset were more likely to be male (58.3%) than female (41.7%; P = .02). Associations between disease onset and positive family history of hidradenitis suppurativa (P = .47) or higher Hurley stage of disease (P = .15) were not statistically significant. Conclusion Boys are more likely to have prepubescent onset of hidradenitis suppurativa and girls to have postpubescent onset. This shift in sex distribution is unexplained, but we hypothesize that, whereas the role of ovarian hormones in the pathogenesis of HS may underlie much of adult-onset disease, it is less important in prepubescent disease.
Scripting Group Processes in VMT

The concept of scripts has considerable appeal as addressing or at least naming an urgent issue in CSCL: how to use the promise of networked computers to guide groups of students to engage in desirable and successful collaborative learning. However, the concept of scripts is often applied inconsistently or founded on problematic theoretical grounds. Reconceptualizing scripts as situated resources rather than implementable plans for action is therefore undertaken here to align the concept with current socio-cultural thought. Studying how such a resource is made sense of in detailed interactions is then recommended for studying how scripts can be designed to guide situated collaboration.
Assessment of Plaque Burden and Plaque Composition Using Intravascular Ultrasound

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) allows reliable identification, quantification, and characterization of coronary atherosclerotic plaque and has been validated as a precise atherosclerosis imaging modality. The knowledge accumulated with IVUS already has a major influence on treatment and prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD) and its risk factors. As a tool in clinical trials examining atherosclerotic disease progression, it is an integral part of antiatherosclerotic drug development. The primary endpoint in these trials is progression/regression of plaque burden and changes in plaque characteristics in long segments of the coronary tree, rather than focal assessment of individual “vulnerable plaques.” While definitive confirmation in combined imaging and clinical endpoint trials is incomplete, these results strongly suggest that global assessment of plaque burden and plaque characteristics can predict risk of future events or “patient vulnerability.”
CHAPTER 340 – Cell-to-Cell Interactions in Lung

The lung is a complex organ and the various forms of interaction between the 40 or so cell types cannot be described fully in the space allotted. The focus of this chapter is on the soluble factors that play a role in cell-to-cell communication during development and repair of the lung, particularly as they pertain to interactions between epithelial cells and other cell types in the lung. This chapter also summarizes the interactions between the signals produced and signals received by the various cells, resulting in the proliferation and differentiation of lung cells. Although the figure does not fully address all of the interactions in the lung, it should give the reader a sense of the balance that is required for the development of the lung and to maintain integrity of its function in the event of damage postnally.
Structure and Dynamics Studied Via Two-Dimensional NMR. Illustrations with DNA Fragments

A major objective of scientists for many years has been the determination of molecular structures in non-crystalline environments. In general, researchers were forced to accept limited structural information in these cases due to the techniques available; certainly high-resolution structures such as those derived from x-ray diffraction on crystals could not be remotely attained. Two recent developments together provide a direct route to molecular structure in non-crystalline phases: two-dimensional NMR (2D NMR) (1) and the distance geometry algorithm (2). The essential ideas can be described quite simply. The structure of any molecule can be determined if one can obtain a sufficient number of structural constants, e.g., intranuclear distances and bond torsion angles, to use in conjunction with holonomic constraints of bond lengths, bond angles and steric limitations. A high-resolution structure requires a large number of such constraints. Although it will probably not be possible to match the achievements of x-ray crystallography, in principle, the new two-dimensional NMR procedures enable us to obtain many structural constraints, and could lead to high-resolution structures.
Learning option MDPs from small data

Learning from small data is a challenge that presents itself in applications of human-robot interaction (HRI) in the context of pediatric rehabilitation. Discrete models of computation such as an Markov decision process (MDP) can be used to capture the dynamics of HRI, but the parameters of those models are usually unknown and (human) subject dependent. This paper combines an abstraction method for MDPs, with a parameter estimation method originally developed for natural language processing, designed specifically to operate on small data. The combination expedites learning from small data and offers more accurate models that lend themselves to more effective decision-making. Numerical evidence in support of the approach is offered in a comparative study on a small grid-world example.
Genomic and Phenotypic Diversity among Ten Laboratory Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1.

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen found ubiquitously in the environment and commonly associated with airway infection in patients with cystic fibrosis. P. aeruginosa strain PAO1 is one of the most commonly used laboratory-adapted research strains and is a standard laboratory-adapted strain in multiple laboratories and strain banks worldwide. Due to potential isolate-to-isolate variability, we investigated the genomic and phenotypic diversity among 10 PAO1 strains (henceforth called sublines) obtained from multiple research laboratories and commercial sources. Genomic analysis predicted a total of 5,682 genes, with 5,434 (95.63%) being identical across all 10 strains. Phenotypic analyses revealed comparable growth phenotypes in rich media and biofilm formation profiles. Limited differences were observed in antibiotic susceptibility profiles and immunostimulatory potential, measured using heat-killed whole-cell preparations in four immortalized cell lines followed by quantification of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β secretion. However, variability was observed in the profiles of secreted molecular products, most notably, in rhamnolipid, pyoverdine, pyocyanin, Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS), extracellular DNA, exopolysaccharide, and outer membrane vesicle production. Many of the observed phenotypic differences did not correlate with subline-specific genetic changes, suggesting alterations in transcriptional and translational regulation. Taken together, these results suggest that individually maintained sublines of PAO1, even when acquired from the same parent subline, are continuously undergoing microevolution during culture and storage that results in alterations in phenotype, potentially affecting the outcomes of in vitro phenotypic analyses and in vivo pathogenesis studies. IMPORTANCE Laboratory-adapted strains of bacteria are used throughout the world for microbiology research. These prototype strains help keep research data consistent and comparable between laboratories. However, we have observed phenotypic variability when using different strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, one of the major laboratory-adopted research strains. Here, we describe the genomic and phenotypic differences among 10 PAO1 strains acquired from independent sources over 15 years to understand how individual maintenance affects strain characteristics. We observed limited genomic changes but variable phenotypic changes, which may have consequences for cross-comparison of data generated using different PAO1 strains. Our research highlights the importance of limiting practices that may promote the microevolution of model strains and calls for researchers to specify the strain origin to ensure reproducibility.
Racial Separation at Home and Work: Segregation in Residential and Workplace Settings

Racial segregation has long characterized urban life in the U.S., with research consistently showing that minority groups occupy different social spaces than whites. While past scholarship has focused largely on residential contexts, a considerable portion of individuals’ days is spent outside of the home and existing research misses the potential for cross-group contact in non-residential contexts. In this paper, we assess the levels and patterns of segregation in the environments where people spend their workday, for white, black, Hispanic, and Asian workers. Using commuting data from the Census Transportation Planning Package, we construct measures of racial composition in “workhoods” and compare metropolitan-level segregation in places of work and home. Results indicate that workhood segregation is substantially lower than residential segregation. Black-white segregation in work settings is, for example, half the level of black-white segregation in residential settings. Multivariate analyses also reveal that workhood segregation, for all groups, is higher in metropolitan areas with greater residential segregation. For Hispanic workers, areas with larger immigrant populations have higher workhood segregation, and for blacks, workhood segregation is lower in metropolitan areas with large military populations. Our findings also consistently show that black and Hispanic workhood segregation is lower in areas where minority groups are more occupationally disadvantaged.
Growing Graceful and Harmonious Trees

We describe symbolic constructions for listing and enumerating graphs having the same induced edge label sequence. We settle in the affirmative R. Whitty's [W08] conjectured existence of determinantal constructions for listing and enumerating gracefully labeled trees. We conclude the paper with a description of a new graceful labeling algorithm.
Cancer-testis antigens as biomarkers for Merkel cell carcinoma: Pitfalls and opportunities.

Background The prognosis and treatment options for metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) are poor. The immune-privileged status of cancer-testis (CT) antigens imparts tumor specificity, making them ideal candidates for targeted immunotherapy. We investigate the usefulness of the CT antigens SPA17 (sperm protein-17 [SP-17]), IGF2BP3 (insulin-like growth factor-II mRNA-binding protein 3 [IMP-3]), and transmembrane protein with epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like and two follistatin-like domains 1 (TMEFF1) as potential MCC biomarkers and evaluate their possible utility in immunotherapy and molecularly targeted image-guided treatment. Methods The CT antigens SP-17, IMP-3, and TMEFF1 were selected using transcriptome profiling to identify CT antigens expressed in MCC tumors. Antibodies directed against these CT antigens were stained. Twelve normal skin tissue samples were used as a control. The average percentage of positive cells in each tumor was computed. Results Twelve of 14 (86%) MCC cases showed crisp nuclear staining for SP-17, with 2.06% of cells staining positive. IMP-3 showed crisp, perinuclear staining in all 14 MCC cases, with 52.93% MCC cells staining positive. TMEFF1 showed perinuclear staining in all 14 MCC cases, with 96.51% of tumor cells staining positive. Conclusions CT antigens were found to be expressed in both MCC and some control tissues. SP-17 was the most specific yet the least sensitive. IMP-3 and TMEFF1 were both sensitive but not specific. CT antigens may represent valuable treatment targets in MCC.
Legal Personhood for Artificial Intelligence: Citizenship as the Exception to the Rule

The concept of artificial intelligence is not new nor is the notion that it should be granted legal protections given its influence on human activity. What is new, on a relative scale, is the notion that artificial intelligence can possess citizenship—a concept reserved only for humans, as it presupposes the idea of possessing civil duties and protections. Where there are several decades’ worth of writing on the concept of the legal status of computational artificial artefacts in the USA and elsewhere, it is surprising that law makers internationally have come to a standstill to protect our silicon brainchildren. In this essay, it will be assumed that future artificial entities, such as Sophia the Robot, will be granted citizenship on an international scale. With this assumption, an analysis of rights will be made with respect to the needs of a non-biological intelligence possessing legal and civic duties akin to those possessed by humanity today. This essay does not present a full set of rights for artificial intelligence—instead, it aims to provide international jurisprudence evidence aliunde ab extra de lege lata for any future measures made to protect non-biological intelligence.
Regional Variation in Shock Wave Lithotripsy Utilization Among Medicare Patients with Nephrolithiasis.

OBJECTIVE To characterize shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) utilization and assess for regional variation in the use of this procedure across the United States. MATERIALS AND METHODS We examined SWL and URS utilization among Medicare Beneficiaries with a diagnosis of nephrolithiasis for the years 2006, 2009, and 2014. Adjusted utilization rates were calculated per 1000 beneficiaries accounting for age, sex, and race. Utilization rates were examined nationally and by hospital referral region (HRR). RESULTS A total of 511,495, 604,493, and 806,652 Medicare beneficiaries had a diagnosis of nephrolithiasis in 2006, 2009, and 2014, respectively. The adjusted rate of SWL per 1000 beneficiaries with nephrolithiasis decreased from 59.4/1000 in 2006 to 52.2/1000 and 45.5/1000 in 2009 and 2014 (13.9% decrease, P < .001). Variation was observed in SWL utilization; up to a 12-fold difference between HRRs (9.2/1000 in Winchester, VA to 105.8/1000 in Lincoln, NE). The adjusted rate of URS per 1000 beneficiaries increased by 10.2% (P < .001) between 2006 and 2014. However, the percent decrease in SWL utilization did not correlate with the percent increase in URS utilization when examined by HRR (P = .66). CONCLUSION Variation exists in the utilization of SWL among Medicare beneficiaries (12-fold difference). This variation is likely secondary to a series of supply, urologist, and patient-specific factors. SWL utilization decreased between 2006 and 2014, while URS increased. Stone procedure type is likely highly dependent on where patients receive their urologic care.
Beyond cultural dimensions: digital inclusion in global UX

Today's global digital climate is characterized by a variety of UX communities that are emerging online for the first time. While many technology companies have developed design systems and practices to address the needs of global users, there is a noticeable gap in understanding of global UX in technical communication and even in UX education. The purpose of such experience report is to outline a framework for establishing a shared understanding of global UX. The framework relies on inclusive design as a guiding philosophy and is based on my experience developing and teaching a global UX course in an undergraduate UX program. This paper briefly outlines the purpose and key topics of a global UX course at [school name omitted intentionally]. The paper concludes with a call for UX educators to engage with the topic of global UX through curriculum development and research.
3D Printed Ceramic-Polymer Composites for Treating Bone Infection

It is well known that bacteria and host cells are in a competitive race for the surfaces of dental and orthopedic implants. If bacteria win the race and a biofilm forms, this can lead to infection, and postsurgical complications that may include revision procedures and increased hospital stays can cost thousands of dollars for a single patient, significant lost time from work, altered and restricted lifestyles, and, death. Bone infections are treated with antibiotics given intravenously or orally, via antibiotic-releasing bone cement or collagen sponges placed directly within the infected area. Collectively, these approaches have limited effectiveness due to the lack of site specificity, uncontrolled release, and additional surgeries. Antibiotics currently in use suffer from systemic toxicity, short half-life, and increases in bacterial resistance. This chapter will cover topics related to antimicrobial biomaterials (e.g., antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides, etc.), antimicrobial coatings, antimicrobial drug delivery vehicles, as well as research integrating both antimicrobial and osteoinductive/osteoconductive properties. Antibiotic resistance and implants ineffective in inhibiting antimicrobial growth offer to shift the race in favor of bacteria. Strategies designed to increase bacterial resistance and offer a supportive environment for resistant pre-osteoblasts and osteoblasts will also be discussed.
Symptom Frequency and Severity over Time for Patients Undergoing LVAD Implantation

Purpose Patients (pts) with advanced heart failure (HF) describe debilitating HF-related symptoms. Those who undergo left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation report new surgical and device-related symptoms. We sought to quantify change in both HF and LVAD-related symptoms over time. Methods Using a longitudinal design, we evaluated data at baseline, 3, and 6 months (mos) post implant at 9 U.S. sites from 10/26/16 - 9/9/19. Measures assessed HF symptoms: fatigue (PROMIS, v1.0), dyspnea (10-item short form), swelling in extremities, abdominal bloating, poor appetite (single items), and LVAD-related symptoms: severity of pain at driveline exit site and chest incision, severity of discomfort wearing LVAD peripherals, and frequency of dizziness and fluid leaking around driveline exit site (single items). Linear mixed effects models were estimated using all available longitudinal data, assuming a missing at random mechanism. Results Pts (n=126) were primarily male (72%) and non-Hispanic White (62%), with mean age= 55±11.7 years. HF symptoms (i.e., fatigue, dyspnea, extremity swelling, abdominal bloating, and poor appetite) decreased from before to after implant (table). From 3-6 months after LVAD implant, severity of driveline exit site pain was none-mild and did not change; severity of chest incision pain was mild and decreased from 3 to 6 months; discomfort wearing peripherals was mild-moderate with no change, dizziness occurred rarely to occasionally and did not change, and fluid leaking at the driveline exit site occurred never to rarely and did not change (table). Conclusion Using novel measures, pts with advanced HF experienced considerable improvement of HF symptoms after LVAD implant. However, pts also reported mild/moderate discomfort wearing LVAD-related peripherals, which did not change over time. Other LVAD-related symptoms were less frequent or no more than mild in severity. These findings provide important information for pt decision making and should guide device design.
Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Genetic Testing in Pediatric Primary Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Testing Outcomes and the Effects of Variant Reclassification.

Background Genetic testing in pediatric primary dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients has identified numerous disease‐causing variants, but few studies have evaluated genetic testing outcomes in th...
Sessile growth promotes PrrF- and 2-alkyl-4(1H)-quinolone-dependent iron regulation of the HSI-II type six secretion locus in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that is frequently associated with chronic, polymicrobial infections. P. aeruginosa possesses a complex regulatory network that modulates nutrient acquisition and virulence, but our knowledge of these networks is largely based on studies with shaking cultures, which are not likely representative of conditions during infection. Here, we provide proteomic, metabolic, and genetic evidence that regulation by iron, a critical metallo-nutrient, is altered in sessile P. aeruginosa cultures. We identified type VI secretion as a target of iron regulation in P. aeruginosa in static but not shaking conditions, and we demonstrate that this regulation occurs via PrrF sRNA-dependent production of 2-alkyl-4(1H)-quinolone metabolites. We further discovered that iron-regulated interactions between P. aeruginosa and a Gram-positive opportunistic pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus, are mediated by distinct factors in shaking versus sessile bacterial cultures. These results yield new bacterial iron regulation paradigms and highlight the need to re-define iron homeostasis in sessile microbial communities.
Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Outcomes: Does Treatment at a High-Volume Center Confer Survival Benefit?:

ObjectiveTo determine whether treatment of sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) at a high-volume facility affects survival.Study DesignRetrospective database analysis.SettingNational Cancer Data...
Network Analysis of Technology Stocks using Market Correlation

In this paper, we propose to use network approaches to analyze correlation between stocks. Our essential goal is to directly answer four questions: (1) how stocks in certain industry sector are correlated to each other’ (2) what are the characteristics of stock networks with respect to their market behavioral correlations, and (3) do stocks in an industry sector form meaningful groups, based on on their market behaviors based correlations, and (4) how robust a correlation based network analysis approach can be used to understand stocks as a graph. In order to provide clear answers to address the above questions, we used market correlation methods to generate stock graphs. Two community detection methods, Louvain Modularity and Walk Trap, were used to study the structure of the graphs. To further test the robustness of our model, we created another graph using different correlation threshold. In the experiment we detected twelve communities using Louvain Modularity method and they consisted of stocks from different industries. Even the smallest cluster, which included only 2-3 stocks contained stocks from different industries.
Overweight and obesity are associated with increased eating disorder correlates and general psychopathology in university women with eating disorders

Abstract Objective Examine how eating disorder (ED) correlates, ED-related clinical impairment, general psychopathology, and ED diagnoses differ across weight statuses in a sample of university women with EDs. Method Participants were 690 women from 28 U.S. universities who screened positive for an ED (with the exception of anorexia nervosa [AN]) and participated in the Healthy Body Image Program study. ED correlates, ED-related clinical impairment, general psychopathology (i.e., depression and anxiety), and ED diagnoses were compared across weight statuses (i.e., healthy weight, overweight, obesity) using analyses of variance and chi-square tests. Results Women with EDs and overweight or obesity had higher levels of, perceived benefit of thinness, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and weight/shape concerns (obesity only) than those with healthy weight (ps ≤ .017). Compared to those with healthy weight, those with obesity had higher rates of clinical and sub-clinical binge eating disorder and lower rates of bulimia nervosa (p Discussion Overweight and obesity in individuals with EDs, excluding AN, are associated with greater severity of ED correlates, ED-related clinical impairment, and co-morbid general psychopathology. The current study highlights the need to consider weight status in ED treatment and for optimization of ED treatments to address shared risk factors between EDs and overweight and obesity.
Employees’ Responses to an Organizational Merger: Intraindividual Change in Organizational Identification, Attachment, and Turnover

The authors used pre-post merger data from 599 employees experiencing a major corporate merger to compare 3 conceptual models based on the logic of social identity theory (SIT) and exchange theory to explain employees’ merger responses. At issue is how perceived change in employees’ own jobs and roles (i.e., personal valence) and perceived change in their organization’s status and merger appropriateness (i.e., organizational valence) affect their changing organizational identification, attachment attitudes, and voluntary turnover. The first model suggests that organizational identification and organizational attachment develop independently and have distinct antecedents. The second model posits that organizational identification mediates the relationships between change in organizational and personal valence and change in attachment and turnover. The third model posits that change in personal valence moderates the relationship between changes in organizational valence and in organizational identification and attachment. Using latent difference score (LDS) modeling in an SEM framework and survival analysis, the results suggest an emergent fourth model that integrates the first and second models: Although change in organizational identification during the merger mediates the relationship between change in personal status and organizational valence and change in attachment, there is a direct and unmediated relationship between change in personal valence and attachment. This integrated model has implications for M&A theory and practice.
An Environmental Neuroscience Perspective on the Benefits of Nature

Environmental neuroscience is a field which uses multiple scales of analysis to elucidate the ways in which the physical environment interacts with neural processing to affect behavior. One environment that is heavily studied by environmental neuroscientists is the natural environment and how interacting with more natural environments (e.g., a city park) may benefit psychological functioning. This multidisciplinary environmental neuroscience approach examines processes and factors that vary across temporal and spatial scales. Most research studies examining the effects of interacting with natural environments on individuals’ neural processing and behavior fall into what we term meso-scale studies, which consist of real or simulated nature exposure on the order of minutes to hours. These are typically laboratory studies which attempt to quantify the effects of nature in an experimental setting. Macro-scale studies examine the effects of nature/green space exposure on people across large populations (e.g., a city) over long durations (e.g., on the order of years). These studies are typically observational but speak to the ecological validity of the meso-scale studies. Micro-scale studies tend to examine the specific elements of natural environments that may lead to the psychological benefits of interacting with nature, such as the low-level visual and acoustic features of nature and how perceiving those features may lead to cognitive benefits. Though immense progress has already been made in these domains, we propose that rapid advancements will be made through the increased use of methods that can span temporal and spatial scales and with more rigorous neuroimaging research, which may identify the neural mechanisms which drive these behavioral effects. We conclude with a brief discussion for how adopting an environmental neuroscience perspective can be of value to other fields of research, such as urban planning and environmental conservation.
Mutual Reinforcement Learning with Heterogenous Agents

Mutual learning is an emerging technique for allowing intelligent systems to learn from each other, giving rise to improved performance. In this paper, we explore mutual reinforcement learning between systems which use very different learning algorithms. In particular, we present an algorithm which allows two agents, one using Q-learning and another using adaptive dynamic programming, to share learned knowledge. We discuss how these agents negotiate the relative importance of knowledge they receive from other agents, and we present results that show how this affects the learning process.
Seizures & Status Epilepticus

Seizures are common neurological complications in medical and postsurgical ICU patients and commonly arise from coexisting conditions associated with critical illness. Most seizures occur in ICU patients who did not have prior seizures or neurologic pathology as part of the primary admitting diagnosis. In general ICUs, metabolic abnormalities have been reported to account for 33 % of seizures, drug withdrawal for 33 %, drug toxicity for 14.5 %, and stroke for 9–39 % [1]. Hypoglycemia should always be excluded as this is imminently treatable and delayed diagnosis is associated with significant neurological injury. Status epilepticus as an admitting diagnosis is much less common than seizures occurring as a complication during the course of critical illness [2]. Most seizures that occur in the ICU setting manifest as generalized tonic-clonic convulsions.
Dynamics of Tier Buildings

The dynamic response of multi-story (tier) buildings to wind gusts, mild blast loading, and moderate earthquakes may be calculated using linear theory. A three-dimensional analytical model is required to simulate the stiffness and mass properties of a tall building containing horizontal diaphragms at all framing levels. Equations of motion for story displacements are formulated using the stiffness method and are solved by a specialized form of normal mode theory. These techniques are incorporated into a computer program for the dynamic analysis of tier buildings. A hypothetical 20-story building is analyzed to determine its vibrational characteristics as well as its response to a severe wind gust and a specified ground acceleration. The effects of modal truncation and axial strains in columns are also studied, and the results show that neglecting the latter may have serious consequences in dynamic analysis.
Comparison of the α-Amylase of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens

The alpha-amylase (alpha-1,4-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.1) of Bacillus subtilis strain W23 is less negatively-charged than the alpha-amylase of B. amyloliquefaciens strain F, as determined by electrophoretic mobility in polyacrylamide gel at pH 8.6. The alpha-amylase of strain W23 is immunologically unrelated to the alpha-amylase of strain F, as judged by lack of cross-reaction in Ouchterlony immunodiffusion studies. The pH range of maximal activity for the enzyme of strain W23 was 5.7 to 6.7, with a maximum at 6.3. The pH range of activity for the alpha-amylase of strain F was 5.5 to 6.5, with a maximum at 5.9. No significant difference was found in the effect of temperature on the activity of the alpha-amylase of strain W23 and strain F. alpha-Amylase production by strain W23 occurs throughout the 7-hr growth period, whereas enzyme production by strain F does not begin until the culture enters the stationary phase of growth. The total amounts of enzyme produced by strains W23 and F after 7 hr of growth were 0.3 and 25.5 units/ml, respectively.
Regulatory Enzymes of Aromatic Amino Acid Biosynthesis in Bacillus subtilis I. PURIFICATION AND PROPERTIES OF 3-DEOXY-D-ARABINO-HEPTULOSONATE 7-PHOSPHATE SYNTHETASE

Abstract 1. The 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate (DAHP) synthetase of Bacillus subtilis has been purified 77-fold (more than 500-fold over the activity in crude extracts of wild-type strains grown in a minimal salts medium). 2. The following points support the thesis that DAHP synthetase is a single enzyme: (a) The sensitivity of the enzyme to two inhibitors is constant throughout a 77-fold purification. (b) Prephenate and chorismate independently inhibit the enzyme activity 80% at saturating inhibitor concentrations. (c) Fractionation procedures yield nonseparable DAHP synthetase activities which are similar in properties such as storage stability, thermostability, inactivation by urea or low pH, and in experimental values of kinetic constants of enzyme velocity. (d) The logic for one DAHP synthetase as the initial metabolic control point for pathway-wide regulation is consistent with efficient control by the feedback inhibitors, chorismate and prephenate. (e) Auxotrophs which are deficient for DAHP synthetase occur as single step revertible mutations. 3. Modifications in the assay for DAHP synthetase activity in B. subtilis are described. 4. Partially purified preparations of enzyme have a pH optimum of 6.5, a pH stability optimum of 6.9, and a temperature optimum of 55°. An activation energy of 9,100 cal per mole was calculated. The enzyme is activated 2-fold by low concentrations of p-chloromercuribenzoate and iodoacetate and inhibited by concentrations of 2-mercaptoethanol exceeding 10-5 M. Molecular weights of 134,000 and 129,000 were determined by gel filtration and sucrose density gradient techniques, respectively.
Potential role of frequency-domain representation in selection of optimal defibrillatory shock

Many electrical waveforms have been investigated for their efficacy at achieving ventricular defibrillation. In all of these studies to date, parameters of the waveforms have been expressed in the time-domain, usually current versus time. These studies have resulted in improved shocks for both transthoracic and internal defibrillation. However, such studies have failed to yield an understanding of why some electrical waveforms are superior to others (e.g., biphasic waveforms are generally superior to uniphasic waveforms at equal delivered energies). In this study, electrical waveforms are transformed into the frequency domain, and analyzed for possible insight into the mechanism of defibrillation. >