cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic mechanisms contributing to reduced tetracycline susceptibility of Campylobacter isolated from organic and conventional dairy farms in the midwestern and northeastern United States

Campylobacter is one of the most common causes of gastroenteritis and can be acquired through contact with farm animals or the consumption of raw milk. Because of concerns over the role of food-producing animals in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance to humans, we evaluated the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter isolates from dairy farms and the genetic mechanism conferring the observed resistance. Evaluation of antimicrobial resistance was completed on 912 isolates from conventional and 304 isolates from organic dairy farms to eight drugs (azithromycin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, erythromycin, gentamicin, nalidixic acid, and tetracycline) with microbroth dilution. Resistance to seven of eight drugs was very low and did not differ by farm type. However, tetracycline resistance was common in Campylobacter isolated from both organic and conventional dairy farms, with 48 and 58% of isolates affected, respectively. By multiplex PCR, we determined that tetracycline resistance was highly associated with the carriage of tetO in Campylobacter isolates (Χ 2 = 124, P < 0.01, kappa = 0.86).
Functional Gonadotroph Adenomas: Case Series and Report of Literature.

Background Functional gonadotroph adenomas (FGAs) are rare tumors of the pituitary gland that secrete biologically active gonadotropins. Objective To advance clinical understanding of FGAs. Methods We performed a retrospective review of adult patients who underwent resection of a pituitary lesion between August 1997 and October 2014 and remain under care at our center. We identified patients who had pathologic and biochemical confirmation of FGAs, as defined by a lack of serum follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone suppression in the setting of elevated gonadal steroids, associated clinical symptoms, or both. Results FGAs were documented in 7 patients (5 men, 2 women) over a 17-year period. Clinical findings at presentation included visual field deficits in 5 patients, headache in 3, sexual dysfunction in 3, and ovarian cysts in both women. Each patient underwent lesion resection (6 via the endonasal transsphenoidal approach and 1 via a craniotomy with transsphenoidal reoperation). Analysis of tumor samples revealed immunopositivity for follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone in 5 patients and FSH only in 2 patients. Postoperative follow-up (median, 10 months; range, 4-213 months) indicated remission in 6 of 7 patients. Conclusion An FGA can pose both a diagnostic and a therapeutic challenge. The tumor is often diagnosed as a nonfunctioning macroadenoma after presenting with nonspecific symptoms and is the cause of significant morbidity. An FGA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients harboring pituitary adenomas with reproductive dysfunction. Transsphenoidal resection is the initial treatment of choice and can reduce endocrine dysfunction, resolve headaches, improve visual impairment, and provide tissue for detailed analysis. Abbreviations FGA, functional gonadotroph adenomaFSH, follicle-stimulating hormoneLH, luteinizing hormoneTSH, thyroid-stimulating hormone.
Discussion of “the Relation of Felonies to Environmental Factors in Indianapolis”

PROFESSOR WHITE is to be commended for his careful conclusions from the interesting data presented in this study. The substantial correlations he reports suggest some causal relationships between social factors and crime, but it is true as he says that additional evidence is necessary before cause and effect relations are established. Similarly, his moderate claims for reliability are to be commended, although the evidence suggests that his results may be even more dependable than he claims. Whenever it is possible to describe relationships in simple tabulations which are unequivocal as in Tables I and II, it is better to use this method than a more intricate mathematical method such as the correlation ratio or the usual Pearsonian coefficient as in Tables IV and V. Inasmuch as the two sets of tables representing simple and complicated methods of analysis corroborate each other, I should be inclined to accept the evidence of the simple tabulations I and II rather than the evidence of correlation coefficients with their sometimes dubious implicit assumptions. Professor White suggests the hypothesis of a causal connection between business concentration and crime rates. I am inclined to attach considerable significance to this hypothesis, which is clearly indicated by the analysis of his data. However, I must say quite frankly that my reason for accepting his hypothesis is based upon considerations which are not a part of the present study, although they are not inconsistent with Professor White's analyses. Let me state my meaning more explicitly. Sociological science has at least two primary tasks: first, the discovery of laws of social phenomena, accomplished by use of the inductive method. Professor White's indices of social deterioration for Indianapolis are a good example of the discovery of a social principle by inductive method. The confirmation of the findings of other ecological studies by his investigation comes close to being the formulation of a law of social phenomena. The second task of sociological science is the discovery of causes; this is accomplished by hypothetic inference. Here Professor White has ventured the hypothesis that crime rates are causally associated with business concentration. His data show that the urban environment of Indianapolis is characterized by a progressively higher concentration of business (percentage of land used for business purposes) as we move from the outskirts to the center of the city. The rate for felonies increases in much the same way. I accept his hypothesis but I desire to emphasize a different interpretation of this hypothesis than the one he has given us. If I read Professor White's thought correctly, he hypothecates that property concentration (as a corollary of business concentration) draws criminals to commit felonous offenses in the center of the city. There is implied in this hypothesis the assumption that the presence of accumula-
N-acetylcysteine treats intravenous amiodarone induced liver injury

We report a case of intravenous (IV) amiodarone drug induced liver injury (DILI). The patient received IV N-acetylcysteine (NAC) which resulted in a rapid improvement in liver enzymes. While the specific mechanisms for the pathogenesis of IV amiodarone DILI and the therapeutic action of IV NAC are both unknown, this case strongly implies at least some commonality. Because IV amiodarone is indicated for the treatment of serious cardiac arrhythmias in an intensive care unit setting, some degree of ischemic hepatitis is likely a cofactor in most cases.
The Surface Chemistry of Si/Ge Deposition

Reaction processes leading to the deposition of Si and Ge epilayers have been delineated using a combination of surface spectroscopies. The dissociative adsorption of disilane and digermane has been investigated on the Ge(111) surface using multiple internal reflection infrared spectroscopy (MIRIRS). Molecular adsorption of Si 2 H 6 and Ge 2 H 6 occurs for adsorption below 150K. Molecular and dissociative adsorption are competitive processes at 110-140K. Dissociative adsorption of Si 2 H 6 and Ge 2 H 6 occurs above 150K. Trihydride formation (SiH 3 and GeH 3 ) is favored near 150-200K, while Si-H and Ge-H bond scission becomes significant above 200K. Di- and trihydrides are dominant below 300K, while the monohydrides are most prevalent above 300K. Decomposition of all surface hydrides occurs by 600K. On the Si(100) surface, digermane adsorption leads to the deposition of a Ge overlayer. Hydrogen desorption from the Ge/Si(100) surface is strongly altered with respect to the clean Si surface. The observed desorption behavior has important consequence on the low temperature deposition of Si l-x Ge x by thermal CVD.
DETERMINATION OF CHLORHEXIDINE ACETATE CONTENT IN SKIN DISINFECTANT BY HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY

Objective To establish a method to determination of chlorhexidine acetate content in skin disinfectant by HPLC.Method The sample was diluted by mobile phase and HPLC analyses were performed on a SunFire C8 column with 0.01mol/L KH2PO4 and acetonitrile as mobile phase.Results Chlorhexidine acetate in samples were well separated on C8 column by HPLC and the peak of chlorhexidine acetate on this column was sharp and symmetric.The results were satisfactory between 0.002mg/mL and 1.0mg/mL with a very good linearity(R=0.9999) and a high recovery rate(96.0%~100.5%).Conclusion This method was simple,fast,sensitive and can be used to determine chlorhexidine acetate content in disinfectant.
Surface Changes of the Rat Embryo Before Implantation

Study of the rat embryo surface under the scanning electron microscope shows the superficial structure of the pellucid membrane as a perforated network cover which does not change throughout the preimplantation period (1 to 4 1 2 days). Dissolution of the pellucid membrane by brief ATP treatment reveals a zygotic surfaxte which changes from day to day. The number and length of microvilli increase with development. At the early blastula stage there is a great heterogeneity of microvilli of different size and shape as well as large membranous ruffles mainly located at one pole of the embryo. The significance of these structures may relate to the changing metabolic requirements of the developing embryo and to the invasive properties of the trophoblast.
Jim Dungey's Contributions to Magnetospheric ULF Waves and Field Line Resonances

Jim Dungey introduced the concept of geomagnetic field line resonances in an obscure report published when he was a post-doc in 1954. This paper first describes how Dungey arrived at the idea of an Outer Atmospheric Cavity filled with a cold hydrogen plasma within which the dynamics were controlled by hydromagnetics and Alfven waves, and how he showed that this cavity would support field line resonances. How Dungey’s idea provided a ready explanation for the sinusoidal nature of magnetospheric ULF waves and led to the development of the rich field of ULF wave research are then briefly sketched.
An overview of chronic oral graft-vs-host disease following pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is the treatment of choice for many hematologic, genetic, oncologic, and immunologic diseases. It is also one of the most aggressive treatments among the different cancer therapies, however, and is associated with severe conditioning-related toxicity, profound neutropenia, a high level of prophylactic immunosuppression and graft-vs-host disease (GVHD). Even with GVHD prophylaxis, chronic GVHD remains a significant complication of HSCT and is a frequent reason for nonrelapse morbidity and mortality following allogeneic HSCT. It primarily targets the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and liver. Approximately 20% of patients who receive matched sibling transplants and 40% of matched unrelated donor recipients will develop chronic GVHD. Risk factors include: (1) history of acute GVHD; (2) hemotologic malignancy; (3) female donor to male recipient; (4) use of total body irradiation; (5) donor age of > or = 5 years; and (6) recipients >10 years of age. The purpose of this paper was to review the pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of pediatric chronic graft-vs-host disease, with a focus on its oral manifestations and the dental management of affected children and adolescents.
Development of L-glutamine-stimulated electroneutral sodium absorption in piglet jejunum.

Glutamine is the primary metabolic fuel of the small intestine. To determine the effects of glutamine on intestinal electrolyte transport, piglet (3 days to 3 wk old) jejunum was bathed in Ussing chambers in a buffer containing 10 mM serosal glucose, and the effects of different concentrations of mucosal L-glutamine and D-glucose on short-circuit current and transmucosal Na+ and Cl- transport were measured. Resting jejunum secreted Na+ and Cl- in an electrogenic manner. In contrast to mucosal D-glucose (30 mM), which promoted electrogenic Na+ absorption (1.8 mueq.cm-2.h-1), mucosal L-glutamine (30 mM) stimulated both Na+ (2.7 mueq.cm-2.h-1) and Cl- (2.2 mueq.cm-2.h-1) absorption. This NaCl-absorptive jejunal response depended on the presence of both Na+ and Cl-, did not appear until animals were greater than 7 days of age, and was not observed with glucose, phenylalanine, or mannitol. Serosal, as well as mucosal, glutamine (30 mM) promoted electroneutral NaCl absorption. A small electrogenic Na(+)-absorptive response to L-glutamine was also observed. The effect of L-glutamine on jejunal NaCl transport resembles that of other metabolic fuels on colonic transport; its mechanism remains to be determined. We conclude that glutamine promotes electroneutral salt absorption in the small intestine.
Introduction to Direct-Write Technologies for Rapid Prototyping

This chapter provides an overview of direct writing of electronic materials of biomaterials and of other miscellaneous materials. It discusses the issues surrounding their use in future applications. Direct writing refers to a subset of the larger field of rapid prototyping. It has experienced significant growth through the development of new transfer methods and improved materials that react at lower temperatures. These advances in the field of direct writing can significantly help in making many of the approaches commercially viable for rapid prototyping and small-lot-size manufacturing. In electronics, direct writing technologies offer opportunities in both manufacturing improved discrete electronic devices on flexible substrates and rapid prototyping with increased flexibility. As a research tool, direct writing is breaking new ground in the computer-controlled three dimensional construction of biological materials. Direct writing also offers advantages of lower cost with increased flexibility of manufacturing, enhanced process integration, and reduction in environmental impact.
Discourse as Framework

In “Discourse as Framework,” Monty lays out the scholarly and methodological foundations for the book, with particular emphasis on how identifications across Writing Center Studies (WCS) have been constructed through representations of place and space. This framework makes use of a contextualist research paradigm to identify appropriate strands of critical discourse analysis. These strands are further defined with elements of ecocomposition, social justice pedagogy, and theories from Writing Across the Curriculum and Writing in the Disciplines. The methodology is designed to build theory that will help WCS stakeholders to assess their own discursive practices. This chapter closes with a redefining of the parameters of the terms “rhetoric” and “discourse.”
Static and Dynamic Thermo-Mechanical Behavior of Ti2AlC MAX Phase and Fiber Reinforced Ti2AlC Composites

Ti2AlC MAX phase samples were processed by using Spark Plasma Sintering from commercially available Ti2AlC powder. Static and dynamic loading was performed by Universal Testing Machine and Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) respectively. The SHPB apparatus was modified to investigate the dynamic fracture initiation toughness. High speed photography was used to determine the fracture initiation time and the associated failure load. To widen applications, 20 vol% fiber of NextelTM-610 and NextelTM-720 have been added for the reinforcement of Ti2AlC, respectively. The results reveal that the peak compressive failure stress in dynamic conditions decreases with increasing temperatures, from 1,645 MPa at 25 °C to 1,210 MPa at 1,200 °C. The fracture experiments show that the dynamic fracture toughness is higher than the quasi-static value by approximately 35 %. The fracture toughness decreases with increase in temperature. The post mortem analysis of the fracture surfaces conducted using Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed that kinking along with intergranular cracking and delamination play important role in deformation of Ti2AlC. Compared to pure Ti2AlC, compressive fracture strength of 20 vol% Ti2AlC/720f and Ti2AlC/610f composites were enhanced by 39.7 and 32.6 % under static loading.
Reversible Hydrolysis Reaction with the Spore Photoproduct under Alkaline Conditions.

DNA lesions may reduce the electron density at the nucleobases, making them prone to further modifications upon the alkaline treatment. The dominant DNA photolesion found in UV-irradiated bacterial endospores is a thymine dimer, 5-thyminyl-5,6-dihydrothymine, i.e., the spore photoproduct (SP). Here we report a stepwise addition/elimination reaction in the SP hydrolysis product under strong basic conditions where a ureido group is added to the carboxyl moiety to form a cyclic amide, regenerating SP after eliminating a hydroxide ion. Direct amidation of carboxylic acids by reaction with amines in the presence of a catalyst is well documented; however, it is very rare for an amidation reaction to occur without activation. This uncatalyzed SP reverse reaction in aqueous solution is even more surprising because the carboxyl moiety is not a good electrophile due to the negative charge it carries. Examination of the base-catalyzed hydrolyses of two other saturated pyrimidine lesions, 5,6-dihydro-2′-deoxyuridine ...
Hamartomatous Polyps and Associated Syndromes

Hamartomatous polyps of the gastrointestinal tract can occur sporadically, however, for several hereditary syndromes, their presence is one of the major clinical features. Peutz–Jeghers syndrome, juvenile polyposis syndrome, and the PTEN hamartoma syndromes are autosomal dominant inherited disorders that predispose to formation of such polyps, especially in the colon and rectum. These can lead to increased colorectal cancer risk and should be followed and managed appropriately. In this article, the three major hereditary hamartomatous syndromes are described, including presentation, colorectal surveillance, and management.
The Gas6 Receptor Axl Enhances Platelet Activation Responses through Stimulation of PI3kinase- and PLC-Dependent Signaling Pathways.

At the site of vascular injury, platelet activation is paramount in supporting formation of a platelet plug and generating a functional surface for the protein elements of coagulation. Recently, we demonstrated that the receptors for the α-granule constituent Gas6, support and enhance platelet aggregation and dense-granule release. The current study examined additional affects of Gas6 signaling in human platelets and sought to decipher intracellular signaling mechanisms initiated by stimulation of Axl, a Gas6 platelet receptor. Flow cytometry analyses indicated that all three Gas6 receptors, Axl, Sky, and Mer were present on the platelet surface. Blockade of Gas6, Sky, or Mer by specific antibodies not only inhibited TRAP- and ADP-induced platelet aggregation and dense granule release, but also prevented thrombin mediated clot retraction by as much as 55%. Furthermore, intracellular calcium mobilization in response to TRAP activation was greater than 80% inhibited in the presence of each of these blocking antibodies. A highly specific antibody directed toward Axl (< 2% cross reactivity with Sky and Mer) activated Axl leading to an enhancement of TRAP and ADP induced aggregation and degranulation. Stimulation of human platelets by this Axl agonist led to a modest, but sustained increase in calcium mobilization suggesting that Axl signaling incorporated activation of PLC. The increase in calcium mobilization was sensitive to wortmannin, demonstrating that PLC activation occurred concurrent with or downstream of PI3K. Indeed, additional experiments to ascertain the intracellular mediators of Axl activity identified a two-fold increase in specific phosphorylation of Akt downstream of PI3K as well as a similar increase in phosphorylation of PLCγ. TRAP stimulation of human platelets also increased the phosphorylation levels of Akt and PLCγ in a Gas6 dependent manner as a Gas6 blocking antibody reduced the levels of Akt and PLCγ phosphorylation by 50%. Overall, these studies suggest that Gas6 enhancement of human platelet activation occurs through the low-level stimulation of the intracellular signaling molecules Akt and PLCγ, serving at the juncture of several mediators of platelet activation. These events also increase levels of cytoplasmic calcium, further supporting an enhancement of activation observed in response to low levels of known platelet agonists. Thus, platelet Gas6 functions to support platelet activation at the very early stages of the hemostatic response to injury.
MVP: An Efficient Anonymous E-Voting Protocol

Thanks to the Internet, voters can cast their ballots over the electronic voting (E-voting) systems conveniently and efficiently without going to the polling stations. However, existing E- voting protocols suffer from anonymity issues and/or high deployment overhead. In this paper, we design a practical anonymous E-voting protocol (referred to as MVP) based on a novel data collection technique called \emph{dual random matrix masking} (DRMM), which guarantees anonymity with low overhead of computation, and achieves the security goals of receipt-freeness, double voting detection, fairness, ballot secrecy, and integrity. Through extensive analyses on correctness, efficiency, and security properties, we demonstrate our proposed MVP protocol can be applied to E-voting in a variety of situations with accuracy and anonymity.
New Paradigms for Broadway Producers in Popular Culture and Beyond: Smash and the Rise of the Passion Project

Popular cultural manifestations of producers in the twenty-first century include NBC’s series Smash (2012–2013), which included the fictional producer Eileen Rand (played by Anjelica Huston), and the Hal Prince bio-musical The Prince of Broadway, which played in Tokyo and Osaka in 2015. New models for producing musicals have arisen in the twenty-first century, including the passion project (Oprah Winfrey’s producing role for The Color Purple [2005], for example) and social-media based fundraising platforms Kickstarter and Indiegogo.
MINIMUM-IMPULSE TRANSFER BETWEEN A CIRCULAR ORBIT AND A NEARBY NON-COPLANAR ELLIPTIC ORBIT†

The Pontryagin maximum principle is applied with orbit parameters as state variables, characteristic velocity as independent variable, and orbital position and thrust direction as control variables, to analyze minimum-impulse transfer with no limit on time. It is assumed (i) that one orbit is circular, (ii) that eccentricity as well as changes of energy and orbit plane are rather small. Charts are presented from which the details of the optimal transfer can be obtained, whether 2-impulse or 3-impulse. The analysis differs substantially inside and outside a parameter region, which is region III of Marec(1) and the singular region of Edelbaum.(2) A special “transition” analysis and chart are necessary near the boundary of this region.
Discrete Markov Process Approach to Fatigue Crack Growth

The discrete Markov approach considered herein is simple to implement and uses a two-dimensional stochastic model in conjunction with simulation to estimate model parameters. The possibility of damage moving multiple states during a single period of loading is considered. Only simple matrix multiplication is required to evaluate the effects of varying initial fatigue quality on life estimates once the conditional probabilities of movement between the cells is determined. Modifications to the general approach, to reduce computational time and storage requirements are also discussed.
Surface plasmon polariton propagation around bends at a metal-dielectric interface

We present an analytical study of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) propagation about a circular bend formed by the interface between a metal and a dielectric with the metal occupying the inner volume. It is shown that in the short wavelength limit, the problem is essentially analogous to scattering from a 1D finite potential well, with standard expressions for the transmittance and reflectance. In certain cases, we find that propagation on nonplanar interfaces may result in lower losses than on flat surfaces, contrary to expectation. We also show that the same approach is valid when the metal occupies the outer volume, such that in the 1D approximation SPPs propagating around such bends do not radiate. An upper bound for the transmittance, valid even when our approximation breaks down, is also derived. This is found to depend nonmonotonically on the bend radius, allowing increased transmission with decreasing radius. We further present a numerical study using the finite- difference time-domain method and show that it is consistent with theoretical predictions. We also show that the introduction of a microcavity plasmon resonator could significantly enhance the transmission.
Environmental Stress Causes Lethal Neuro-Trauma during Asymptomatic Viral Infections.

Summary Asymptomatic infections often proceed undetected, yet can still prime the host to be sensitive to secondary environmental stress. While the mechanisms underlying disease caused by asymptomatic infections are unknown, it is believed that productive pathogen replication is required. We report that the environmental stress of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) anesthesia converts an asymptomatic rhabdovirus infection in Drosophila to one that is lethal. This lethality results from a pool of infectious virus in glial cells and is regulated by the antiviral RNAi pathway of the host. CO 2 sensitivity is caused by the fusogenic activity of the viral glycoprotein, which results in fusion of neurons and glia. Expression of the viral glycoprotein, but not a fusion defective mutant, is sufficient to cause CO 2 sensitivity, which can occur even in the absence of productive viral replication. These findings highlight how viral proteins, independent of pathogen replication, may predispose hosts to life-threatening environmental stress.
Comparison of the Coronary Artery Calcium Score and Number of Calcified Coronary Plaques for Predicting Patient Mortality Risk.

Multiple coronary artery calcium (CAC) parameters have recently been proposed to improve risk prediction in patients with intermediate clinical risk based on CAC scoring, but outcome data that assess these variables are relatively sparse. We analyzed data from 11,633 consecutive asymptomatic patients undergoing CAC scanning that were followed for 8.8 ± 3.5 years for all-cause mortality (ACM). The patients who had coronary artery calcification were grouped by the number of calcified coronary plaques: 0, 1 to 5, 6 to 20, and >20 plaques. We examined the independent prognostic value of plaque number and its synergistic prognostic value when added to the CAC score. We observed a stepwise increase in ACM with increasing plaque number. In patients with a CAC score of 1 to 99, 6 plaques or more were associated with increased mortality. In patients with CAC scores of 100 to 399, there was a stepwise increase in ACM with increasing plaque number. For CAC >400, the risk of ACM was high regardless of plaque number. After risk adjustment, the number of plaques was a significant predictor of risk for ACM in the patients with an intermediate CAC score. In these patients, additional consideration of plaque number improved net reclassification improvement for predicting ACM by 29%. In conclusion, the number of calcified plaques adds to risk stratification beyond the CAC score in patients with intermediate CAC scores.
Driver adaptation to lane keeping assistance systems: Do drivers become less vigilant?:

Driver adaptation to semi-autonomous vehicles is examined in this study using a longitudinal driving simulator study with 18 subjects randomly assigned to a control (n = 9) and treatment (n = 9) gr...
Screening-Verfahren zur Prävention des kolorektalen Karzinoms

Die Mehrzahl der Kolorektalkarzinome (CRC) entsteht aus Adenomen, deren Entwicklung in der Regel uber viele Jahre verlauft. Die fruhzeitige Detektion und Behandlung eines Adenoms kann somit eine Krebsentstehung verhindern. Stuhltests ermoglichen eine Fruherkennung, endoskopische Verfahren haben den Vorteil, dass sie auch nicht blutende CRC detektiert konnen. Zusatzlich erlauben sie als einziges Verfahren durch Detektion und Abtragung von Adenomen eine Primarpravention von Karzinomen.
Ethical Issues in Contemporary Clinical Genetics

Abstract As genetic sequencing capabilities become more powerful and costs decline, the reach of genomics is expanding beyond research laboratories to the wards, outpatient clinics, and, with the marketing of direct-to-consumer testing services, patients’ homes. Increasingly, patients receiving various diagnoses—from cancer to cardiomyopathy—can reasonably expect to have conversations with their providers about indications for genetic testing. In this dynamic context, a grasp of the ethical principles and history underlying clinical genetics will provide clinicians with the tools to guide their practice and help patients navigate complex medical-psychosocial terrain. This article provides an overview of the salient ethical concerns pertaining to clinical genetics. The subject is approached with an emphasis on clinical practice, but consideration is also given to research. The review is organized around the temporal and informational sequence of issues commonly arising during the course of pretesting, testing, and posttesting phases of patient care. Drawing from medical, legal, and historical perspectives, this review covers the following topics: (1) informed consent, (2) return of results, and (3) privacy and confidentiality, and intends to equip readers with an appropriate foundation to apply ethical principles to genetic testing paradigms with an understanding of the contextual landscape against which these situations occur.
Value creation in joint venture dyads

In this research, we address the following questions: (1) Do joint ventures (JVs) create value for both parent firms in the dyad? (2) How is the total value created in the venture influenced by resources and capabilities of the two parent firms? In addressing these questions, our objective is to provide added insight into the performance of JVs by shifting the level of analysis to the dyad from the individual parent firm. Our results indicate that a significant proportion of JVs created value for both parents. However, there was also considerable evidence of value destruction with a large proportion of JVs resulting in positive returns to one parent and negative returns to the other. In terms of the second question, we find that the total value created in a JV increases as the value of resources in the dyad increases and decreases with the differential in the value of resources between parents. We argue that the latter effect occurs because when there is a wide differential in capabilities, incentives are shifted away from joint value creation and cooperative behavior toward non-cooperative behavior and appropriating private benefits. Our findings broadly highlight the important role of private benefits in JVs and provide evidence that these benefits significantly influence the performance and dynamics of inter-firm collaboration in various ways.
CER, Cell Surface-Flagellum Relationship During Flagellar Development

Flagella of algae differ from those of most other eukaryotic organisms both in their point of attachment (anterior or bilateral) and in their extraordinary surface appendages which may include scales, spines and/or mastigonemes. Scales and mastigonemes have proven to be especially useful in clarifying the origin of surface materials in general since their synthesis and assembly can frequently be traced to intracellular compartments which include the Golgi apparatus (Manton 1966), chloroplast E (CER, Mignot and Brugerolle 1982) and possibly even the mitochondrion (Moestrup 1982). However, while the structural pathway for some scales and mastigonemes may be reasonably well resolved, relatively little information is available on the biochemical composition and synthesis of individual components of these complexes.
Modeling Cellular Adaptation to Mechanical Stress

It is well-accepted that cyclic circumferential stretching of the arterial wall regulates endothelial cell form and function, with the actin cytoskeleton playing a central role. While there has been much progress in characterizing the contribution of the actin cytoskeleton to cellular mechanical properties and to mechanotransduction, it is not well understood how cell mechanical properties influence mechanotransduction. Further, the ability of actin filaments to assemble and disassemble renders the mechanical properties of the actin cytoskeleton highly dynamic. It is suggested herein that endothelial cells can adapt to certain patterns of stretch through directed cytoskeletal remodeling to minimize stretch-induced stress, and this in turn alters the activity of stretch-induced signaling events. A continuum adaptive constitutive model, formulated using mixture theory and motivated by cellular microstructure, is proposed in order to predict the initial stresses developed in stretched adherent cells, and the ensuing microstructural changes which act to minimize intracellular stresses as the actin cytoskeleton remodels. An experimental system is described for testing the model and predictions are made for the time evolution of intracellular stresses, actin organization and mechanotransduction in endothelial cells subjected to different patterns of stretch, which correlate with experimentally observed results.
Biomechanical and Neuromotor Factors in Mammalian Locomotor-Respiratory Coupling

As a non-mathematical biologist I imagine that one of the great joys of those persons engaged in applied mathematics might be that of describing and predicting the behavior of complex living systems through abstractions that incorporate a relatively few key parameters. When this works, we can be a bit more confident about the rules underlying that behavior. Even when the biology does not conform, there may still be much of value in interesting, clever or otherwise novel mathematical models. But I presume (perhaps naively) that a principal objective in such ventures is that of uncovering the rules, interactions and constraints that govern the behavior of real biological systems. To the extent that this is so, the actual behavior of such systems will serve to both test and to set limits on such models.
VR Touch Museum

In recent years, digital technology has become ubiquitous in the museum. They have changed the ways museums document, preserve and present cultural heritage [3]. Now, we are exploring if there are some ways that could provide more historical context to a displayed object and make an exhibition more immersive. Therefore, we did a project called “The Virtual Reality Touch Museum” and used an experiment to test if such museum performs better on “Presence” and learning achievements. As the results show, our VR Touch Museum was outstanding in “presence” but more research is necessary to verify how effective it is for learning.
The association between autoimmune disease and 30-day mortality among sepsis ICU patients: a cohort study

Sepsis results from a dysregulated host response to an infection that is associated with an imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. This imbalance is hypothesized to be a driver of patient mortality. Certain autoimmune diseases modulate the expression of cytokines involved in the pathophysiology of sepsis. However, the outcomes of patients with autoimmune disease who develop sepsis have not been studied in detail. The objective of this study is to determine whether patients with autoimmune diseases have different sepsis outcomes than patients without these comorbidities. Using the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care III database (v. 1.4) which contains retrospective clinical data for over 50,000 adult ICU stays, we compared 30-day mortality risk for sepsis patients with and without autoimmune disease. We used logistic regression models to control for known confounders, including demographics, disease severity, and immunomodulation medications. We used mediation analysis to evaluate how the chronic use of immunomodulation medications affects the relationship between autoimmune disease and 30-day mortality. Our study found a statistically significant 27.00% reduction in the 30-day mortality risk associated with autoimmune disease presence. This association was found to be the strongest (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.54–0.93, P = 0.014) among patients with septic shock. The autoimmune disease-30-day mortality association was not mediated through the chronic use of immunomodulation medications (indirect effect OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01–1.13, P = 0.020). We demonstrated that autoimmune diseases are associated with a lower 30-day mortality risk in sepsis. Our findings suggest that autoimmune diseases affect 30-day mortality through a mechanism unrelated to the chronic use of immunomodulation medications. Since this study was conducted within a single study center, research using data from other medical centers will provide further validation.
See None, Do Some, Teach None: An Analysis of the Contemporary Operative Experience as Nonprimary Surgeon.

Objective The operative experience of today's general surgery resident has changed, but little is known about the modern experience as nonprimary surgeon. We set out to explore changes in the operative experience of general surgery residents as first assistant (FA) and teaching assistant (TA). Design, Setting, and Participants This is a review of ACGME national operative log reports from 1990 to 2018. TA and FA cases were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using polynomial regression analysis and Kruskal-Wallis test. Statistical significance was set at p Results 30,260 individuals completed general surgery residency during the study period with medians of 951 (interquartile range: 929-974) total major, 63 (31-184) FA, and 32 (25-48) TA cases. As a proportion of total cases completed, FA cases decreased from 21.8% of the total operative experience in 1990 to 2.5% in 2018, and TA cases declined from 7.4% of the total operative experience in 1990 to 3.5% in 2018. Regression modeling demonstrated that both operative roles decreased over time, but at a progressively decreasing rate, with FA cases reaching a “floor” around 2010 and TA cases reaching a “breakpoint” in 2008 at which time operative volume rebounded and began to increase. Among the core general surgery domains of abdomen and alimentary tract, compositional analysis revealed a decrease across each of the 11 operative subcategories (all p Conclusions Over the past 3 decades, the resident operative experience as nonprimary surgeon has decreased dramatically, with today's residents graduating with fewer FA and TA cases. As surgical training has traditionally relied heavily on an apprenticeship model for learning technical skills, it is essential that surgical educators recognize and rectify these trends.
Momentum in Repeated Competition: Exploiting the Fine Line between Winning and Losing

Serial correlation in performance has been analyzed extensively in finance and athletic competition. Momentum is an empirically established tendency for asset prices, but the existence of momentum in sports remains an open question. We find evidence of momentum in the National Basketball Association. A regression discontinuity design enables us to identify the causal effect of recent victories. We find a small positive momentum effect overall, but a large negative momentum effect for the playoffs, during which the influence of confounding factors is attenuated. We discuss potential strategic mechanisms behind this finding, and conclude that even within a sports league, the influence of momentum depends on context and incentives.
Recall and Recognition Discriminability in Parkinson's Disease and Huntington's Disease.

BACKGROUND Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington's disease (HD) are two neurodegenerative diseases affecting frontal-striatal function and memory ability. Studies using the original California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) to examine recall and recognition abilities between these groups have produced mixed findings. Some found that individuals with HD demonstrate worse recall and recognition than those with PD, whereas others reported comparable performance. OBJECTIVE We utilized multiple indices of recall and recognition discriminability, provided by the second and third editions of the CVLT (CVLT-II and CVLT-3, respectively), that allow for a more thorough assessment of more nuanced aspects of verbal memory function. METHODS We examined differences between individuals with PD (n = 72) and those with HD (n = 77) on CVLT-II indices of recall discriminability (immediate, short delay free and cued, long delay free and cued) and recognition discriminability (total, source, semantic, and novel) using standardized scores while controlling for education and Dementia Rating Scale-2 scores. RESULTS The HD group performed significantly worse than the PD group on all measures of recall and recognition discriminability (ps < 0.05), and group differences were associated with large Cohen's d effect sizes. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that individuals with HD are more impaired than individuals with PD in more nuanced aspects of recall and recognition memory function. These CVLT indices yield more thorough assessments of recall and recognition memory function and have the potential to improve efforts to characterize and distinguish profiles of memory loss in different neurodegenerative populations, including PD and HD.
Mimic of tumor microenvironment in vitro in the research of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Objective To exlpore the effect of tumor microenvironment on metastasis and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC).Methods Myofibroblasts isolated from paracancerous tissue of NPC were induced by transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1) to form carcinoma associated fibroblasts(CAFs) The effect of myofibroblasts with or without treatment of CAFs on the migration and invasion of NPC cell 5-8F were compared.Results Tumor microenvironment in vitro was successfully established.Myofibroblasts with the treatment of CAFs induced the migration of NPC cell 5-8F.There were 4 times number of migration cells than that of the control group(P0.05).CAFs induced 2 times more cell invasion than the control cells(P0.05).Conclusion CAFs promote the migration and invasion of NPC cell 5-8F,which lays a foundation forthe theory and therapy for NPC.
Abstract 705: Synergistic Activation of the Cardiac Enhancer Landscape During Cardiac Reprogramming

Direct cardiac reprogramming of fibroblasts to cardiomyocytes is an attractive therapeutic strategy to restore cardiac function following injury. The cardiac transcription factors Gata4, Mef2c, and...
REBOA in Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries are a considerable global burden for healthcare systems and societies. The cornerstone of management remains the optimization of systemic hemodynamics to ensure the continued perfusion of the injured brain with minimization of secondary injury. However, the new paradigm of damage control resuscitation with permissive hypotension presents potentially contradictory hemodynamic goals in multiply injured patients. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta has emerged as a technique that can restore perfusion to proximal vascular beds while arresting downstream hemorrhage. The capability for endovascular interventions to reverse hypotension and promote cerebral perfusion may benefit patients with brain injuries. However, the secondary effects of aortic occlusion may be detrimental to patients in hemorrhagic shock with concomitant traumatic brain injuries. The resultant supraphysiologic blood pressure proximal to the point of occlusion and increased carotid blood flow could contribute to secondary injury by worsening cerebral edema, increasing intracranial pressure, or exacerbating intracranial hemorrhage. Alternative techniques for partial aortic occlusion may provide hemorrhage control while mitigating the hypertension and excessive carotid flow observed with complete aortic occlusion. To date, there is limited clinical or animal data to fully understand the effects of endovascular aortic occlusive technologies in patients with traumatic brain injuries.
Tessellated Floorscape (2010-):: interior acts of production, siting and participation

The project Tessellated Floorscape (2010) consists of a modular rug that is digitally constructed from remnant carpeting, the collaborative process through which the rug as a material product has circulated through different social venues from fabrication to inhabitation, and the writing which serves as a reflective tool that links the specificity of the project to a broader set of issues in contemporary design. This essay focuses on three aspects of the project – production, siting, and participation – in an effort to map out a network of relationships among people, places and resources, and by doing so expose a set of ecologies that informs and shapes the creative practice of interior design as a materially and socially sustainable practice. The aim has been to take advantage of the physical portability of the installation, engage a range of public spaces as its temporary sites, and see what kind of value the acts of spatial re-territorialisation may hold in the study and evolution of the contemporary interior.
Management of Heart Failure in Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Patients Utilizing an Outpatient Diuresis Clinic

Purpose Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation and survival is increasing. With patients living longer on device support, LVAD-related healthcare costs and hospitalizations, including those for volume overload, are on the rise as well. The Johns Hopkins Heart Failure Bridge Clinic (HFBC), a HF-trained Nurse Practitioner (NP) led clinic with ability to administer outpatient intravenous (IV) diuretics, has resulted in significant reductions in HF readmission rates. We developed a protocol for LVAD patient assessment and management via the HFBC, and describe our initial experience regarding the role and efficacy of this unique program in outpatient management of HF in LVAD patients. Methods LVAD patients were evaluated by an LVAD provider and subsequently referred to the diuresis clinic for volume overload thought not to be related to an LVAD issue. If seen in the diuresis clinic, patients then had repeat evaluation with the LVAD/HF team within one week. Baseline characteristics and HF outcomes were assessed. Results Nineteen LVAD patients were seen in the diuresis clinic a total of 65 times. IV furosemide was administered 31 times to 13 patients (mean dose 80 ± 23.5 mg). Urine output during first in clinic void after IV diuretic was 125 ± 53 mL. At 30 of 65 (46%) visits, oral diuretic dose was uptitrated. Potassium was given at 18 of the 65 (27.7%) visits. There were no significant changes in blood pressure, renal function, or electrolytes post diuresis. Only 1 of 65 patient visits resulted in direct hospital admission (hyponatremia). All other visits discharged to home in improved/stable condition and avoidance of hospitalization for heart failure. During follow up, only 6 of 19 patients were hospitalized for a primary diagnosis of volume overload. Conclusion We describe successful implementation of an outpatient IV diuresis protocol for treatment of HF in LVAD patients. The strategy has major implications in reducing LVAD-related HF hospitalizations and healthcare utilization