cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Middle East Challenges Change, Demands on the West Remain

British Prime Minister Lord Palmerston once said that “Nations have no permanent friends or allies, they only have permanent interests.” The French are pithier: “Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme ...
Drilling and modeling studies expose Antarctica's Miocene secrets.

In PNAS, two companion studies by Levy et al. (1) and Gasson et al. (2) underscore the importance of ice-proximal geologic data for improving computer models of Antarctic ice sheet response to oceanic and atmospheric warming. Current knowledge of Antarctic ice sheet evolution (∼40–0 Ma) is based on deep-sea records of global ice volume, deep ocean temperature, and carbon cycling preserved in the calcium carbonate shells of benthic foraminifera (3, 4). Shackleton and Kennett (5) hypothesized, from moderate-resolution southwest Pacific Ocean benthic foraminifer stable oxygen (δ18O) and carbon (δ13C) isotope compilations, that the deep ocean cooled ∼15 °C through the Cenozoic and that Antarctic ice sheets expanded significantly at the Eocene–Oligocene boundary, varied dynamically until the middle Miocene climate transition (MMCT; 14.2–13.8 Ma), and then rapidly expanded and stabilized. Over the last 41 y, paleoceanographers have used deep-sea sediments recovered by scientific ocean drilling programs, including the International Ocean Discovery Program (2013–2023), to increase the resolution of the global deep-sea stable isotope record (3⇓–5), develop geochemical methods to separate ice volume and temperature signals contained in the δ18O signal (4), and resolve climate forcings and feedbacks involved in Antarctic ice growth and global climate evolution (4, 6). Because of a lack of high-quality ice-proximal drill sites, only a handful of studies (e.g., refs. 1 and 7) directly link Antarctic ice sheet variability to far-field deep-sea δ18O (3⇓–5) and passive margin sea-level records (8). Such linkages are required to improve understanding of the timing and magnitude of ice volume fluctuations, relative contributions of Antarctica’s ice sheets to global eustacy, individual histories of the East and West Antarctic ice sheets, and climatic boundary conditions favorable for ice growth and decay (3). In PNAS, Levy et … [↵][1]1Email: ashevenell{at}usf.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Arterial injury: a complication of posterior elbow dislocation. A clinical and anatomical study.

Four cases of brachial-artery disruption associated with dislocation of the elbow are reported. Anatomical studies demonstrated disruption of the inferior ulnar collateral-anterior ulnar recurrent anastomotic loop when posterior dislocation of the elbow occurred. On the basis of these studies, brachial-artery repair is advocated when a dislocation of the elbow is accompanied by brachial-artery disruption.
Widening our Circle of Influence.

We are delighted to announce that all Arrhythmia & Electrophysiology Review articles, from our first issue back in 2012, to this issue and all future issues going forward, will soon be available in full on PubMed Central (PMC) and indexed on PubMed. Indexing of Arrhythmia & Electrophysiology Review on PubMed and PMC will increase awareness of the journal itself as well as raising the profile of authors among the wider cardiology community. PMC is a web-based repository of biomedical and life science journal literature operated by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). In order to be accepted onto PMC, our articles have had to undergo a rigorous scientific quality evaluation, followed by a technical evaluation. It is testament to the efforts of authors, peer reviewers and editorial board that the journal has been successful in this process, and our thanks goes out to all of you who have been involved in one way or another. In the meantime, we will need to beware of complacency, and will be maintaining our efforts to ensure the quality of the journal throughout 2016. We would welcome your input into this process, so if you would be interested in submitting a review article or opinion piece for consideration, we look forward to hearing from you.
Interferons and HIV Infection: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Whether type I interferons (IFNs) hinder or facilitate HIV disease progression is controversial. Type I IFNs induce the production of restriction factors that protect against mucosal HIV/SIV acquisition and limit virus replication once systemic infection is established. However, type I IFNs also increase systemic immune activation, a predictor of poor CD4+ T-cell recovery and progression to AIDS, and facilitate production and recruitment of target CD4+ T cells. In addition, type I IFNs induce CD4+ T-cell apoptosis and limit antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses. The outcomes of type I IFN signaling may depend on the timing of IFN-stimulated gene upregulation relative to HIV exposure and infection, local versus systemic type I IFN-stimulated gene expression, and the subtype of type I IFN evaluated. To date, most interventional studies have evaluated IFNα2 administration largely in chronic HIV infection, and few have evaluated the effects on tissues or the HIV reservoir. Thus, whether the effect of type I IFN signaling on HIV disease is good, bad, or so complicated as to be ugly remains a topic of hot debate.
Updated Solid Water to water conversion factors for 125I and l03Pd brachytherapy sources.

Dosimetric characteristics of brachytherapy sources are normally determined in water using a Monte Carlo simulation technique and in water equivalent phantom material using both experimental and Monte Carlo simulation techniques. The consensuses of these results are then calculated for clinical applications by converting experimental data obtained in water equivalent material to water using a conversion factor. These conversion factors are normally determined as a ratio of the Monte Carlo-simulated dose rate constant in liquid water to the dose rate constant in a water-equivalent phantom material. However, it has been noted that conversion factors utilized by some investigators have been derived using incorrect phantom material composition and incorrect cross-sectional data information. The impact of errors associated with the cross-sectional data and chemical composition of the phantom material used in dosimetric evaluation of brachytherapy sources has been investigated in this project. Results of these investigations have shown that the use of Solid Water trade mark sign with 1.7% calcium content, as compared to the 2.3% value stated by the manufacturer, may lead to 5% and 9% differences in conversion factors for {sup 125}I and {sup 103}Pd, respectively.
Abstract IA28: Cancer epigenetic and metabolic mechanisms controlling immunotherapy and chemotherapy

We have studied the cross-talk between immune cell subsets and tumor/stem cells in the human tumor microenvironment and its impact on tumor immunity and therapy. Our prior research efforts demonstrate that the tumor microenvironment is comprised of immune cells that have been reprogrammed by active tumor-mediated processes to defeat tumor-specific immunity and promote tumor growth in a highly effective manner. These studies have helped define the nature of immune responses in the tumor microenvironment; provide original insights into designing immune therapies to target the immune suppressive mechanisms, including Tregs and inhibitory B7 family members (e.g. PD-L1/PD-1); and treat patients with cancer. Using several human cancers as our models, we demonstrate that Th22 cells and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and macrophages regulate tumor EMT and stemness via epigenetic mechanisms. Furthermore, we found that histone modification and DNA methylation repress the tumor production of Th1-type chemokines and subsequently determine effector T cell trafficking to the tumor microenvironment—affecting tumor progression, therapeutic efficacy of checkpoint blockade and adoptive T cell transfusion, and patient outcome. Thus, epigenetic mechanisms determine tumor immune phenotype (hot vs cold) and tumor biological phenotype (EMT/stem-like vs non EMT/stem like) and shape immunotherapy response. In addition to immunotherapy, we found that effector T cells affect chemoresistance. CD8+ T cells abolish ovarian cancer cisplatin-resistance by altering glutathione and cystine metabolism in fibroblasts. CD8+ T cell-derived IFNγ controls fibroblast glutathione and cysteine through up-regulation of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and transcriptional repression of system xc− cystine and glutamate antiporter via the JAK/STAT1 pathway. Thus, effector T cells play a role in cancer chemoresistance. Selective epigenetic reprogramming may alter T cell landscape in cancer and enhance clinical efficacy of cancer immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Citation Format: Weiping Zou. Cancer epigenetic and metabolic mechanisms controlling immunotherapy and chemotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Second CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; 2016 Sept 25-28; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(11 Suppl):Abstract nr IA28.
Morphology Evolution of High Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells via Vapor Induced Intermediate Phases

Morphology is critical component to achieve high device performance hybrid perovskite solar cells. Here, we develop a vapor induced intermediate phase (VIP) strategy to manipulate the morphology of perovskite films. By exposing the perovskite precursor films to different saturated solvent vapor atmospheres, e.g., dimethylformamide and dimethylsufoxide, dramatic film morphological evolution occurs, associated with the formation of different intermediate phases. We observe that the crystallization kinetics is significantly altered due to the formation of these intermediate phases, yielding highly crystalline perovskite films with less defect states and high carrier lifetimes. The perovskite solar cells with the reconstructed films exhibits the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 19.2% under 1 sun AM 1.5G irradiance, which is among the highest planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells. Also, the perovskite solar cells with VIP processing shows less hysteresis behavior and a stabilized power ou...
Mass shootings and the media: why all events are not created equal

ABSTRACTDue to their sensational nature, mass shootings receive a considerable amount of attention in the media. Despite their rarity, not all shootings garner the same coverage. The present study ...
Eliminating the Animal Species Constraints in Antibody Selection for Multicolor Immunoassays

Molecular profiling on the single-cell level helps unveil the mystery of gene expression patterns in individual cells at subcellular resolution, enabling discovery of small but meaningful variations that are often overlooked at the population level. Similar to other immunoassays, the most common and economical protocols are developed by combining primary antibodies (1′Abs) and fluorophore-labeled secondary antibodies (2′Abs). The selection of 1′ and 2′ Abs, however, has been limited by the availability of animal species, consequently resulting in low multiplexing capability. Here we report the development of preassembled Ab pairs using 1′Abs all from the same animal species. We show that multiple molecular targets can be simultaneously labeled without cross reactivity. This simple and general self-assembly technology eliminates the animal species constraints in multicolor immunoassays, offering exciting new opportunities for a wide range of biomedical and clinical applications.
Hidden roles of protected areas in the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services

Many of the current protected areas worldwide are established for the conservation of particular species of interest, yet their benefits may go beyond these species since they could also contribute to the conservation of entire biodiversity pools. In addition, they may also contribute to the provision of ecosystem services. However, these benefits are seldom evaluated or targeted for improvement. Using field and remotely sensed data, we evaluated how representative of the plant biodiversity pool and of carbon sequestration is a network of nature reserves specifically established for the conservation of a target species, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), an icon of biodiversity conservation. Our results show that forest structure (including tree/bamboo species composition) within the nature reserve network is representative of the forest structure across the entire study region, with the exception of forests located at lower elevations which are not well represented. In addition, of the areas of forest cover gained across the study region between 2000 and 2010 (~10,700 km2) only about 15% occurred within panda reserves. Furthermore, accumulated net primary productivity (NPP) per year between 2000 and 2010 across the study region exhibited a monotonic increase, while the relative contribution of the reserve network to this accumulated NPP remained relatively constant (~25.5%). This suggests that the areas inside nature reserves may be reaching their maximum forest cover and NPP levels. Therefore, despite the significant positive roles of these reserves beyond the conservation of the species of interest, further conservation actions are needed to maintain and improve the conservation of regional biodiversity pools, as well as to improve gains in forest cover and in carbon sequestration. The procedures shown in this study are easily transferable to other study regions for assessing the benefits they provide beyond the conservation of the target(s) species of interest.
Effect of Plastic Mulch Color on Cut Flower Production of Snapdragon and Dianthus in a High Tunnel Production System

The objective of these studies was to determine the effects of colored plastic mulch in a high tunnel production system on cut flower production of ‘Potomac Appleblossom’, ‘Potomac Orange’, ‘Potoma...
Psychiatry’s Collusion with Anesthetic Culture

The lone mass shooter is among one of many examples of pathological behavior that can be linked to anesthetic culture. An in-depth case study of Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock will illustrate how anesthetic consciousness likely played a key role in Paddock’s violent behavior. Anesthetic consciousness can be linked to Paddock’s case, including his sociopathic father, pathological gambling, aloof social behavior, materialistic values, conformity to toxic masculine norms, and violent behavior—all associated with hypoactivity in the insula of the brain and severely impoverished empathy and sympathy for others. When Paddock’s physician prescribed him a benzodiazepine drug to treat his anxiety, this likely pushed him over the edge into violent behavior. Paddock’s case is a microcosm of a larger, problematic cultural pattern in which psychiatry tends to collude with anesthetic consciousness.
Toward Human-Magic Interaction: Interfacing Biological, Tangible, and Cultural Technology

The ubiquitous and pervasive nature of computing fosters intimate relationships between humans and computers as the digital objects being entangled with “non” digital objects: biological, tangible, and cultural. We present the framework of the human-magical interaction, which defines the emerging interfaces as forms of “Magic” emphasizing the seamless interaction between humans and different technological mediums. To explore the framework of Human-Magic Interaction, we re-imagine the ecology of interactive systems and present three speculative technologies that demonstrate different aspects of the framework.
Management of Journalism Transparency: Journalists’ perceptions of organizational leaders’ management of an emerging professional norm

ABSTRACTThis survey of 524 U.S. journalists explores how journalists perceive transparency, an emerging professional knowledge base, ethical value and set of practices, has been managed as a normat...
On syzygies of Calabi–Yau varieties and varieties of general type

Abstract We establish projective normality, Property N p and effective very ampleness for line bundles on a Calabi–Yau variety, as well as for pluricanonical bundles of a variety of general type. We also prove a result on the degrees of generators of canonical rings under the condition that the image of the canonical map has minimal degree.
Fear itself: How risk sensitive firms can give demand shocks bite

Abstract Many economists believe that recessions arise when aggregate demand is insufficient to support full employment. However, replicating this intuition within a real business cycle (RBC) model has proven surprisingly challenging. Rather than eliciting a contraction, lower consumer demand leads to greater household savings in many such models, fueling new investment and causing the economy to expand. The present paper proposes a novel way to resolve this apparent paradox: risk-averse firms. In the model to follow, cautious firms reduce their demand for investment prior to a recession. This contraction in the demand for capital overcomes the increased supply arising from consumer savings and restores intuitive business cycle behavior. In particular, the paper demonstrates that the model economy contracts when subjected to an uncertainty shock in consumer demand, mimicking a pre-recessionary environment in which firms, fearing a lack of orders, precipitate the downturn by reducing capital expenditures. These results are consistent with microeconomic evidence that uncertainty, particularly uncertainty about future demand, is the primary reason for firms shedding workers or scaling down operations in advance of an economic downturn. More generally, they imply that firm's attitudes towards risk shouldn't be ignored in modern macroeconomic models.
Characterization of emergency department abandonment using a real-time location system

Abstract Background Patients who present to emergency departments (EDs) for evaluation but are noted to have left without being seen (LWBS) are potentially at great risk. Governmental agencies, such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, as well as hospitals and health organizations, are examining the factors which drive LWBS, including accurately quantifying patient tolerance to wait times and targeting interventions to improve patient tolerance to waiting. Objective Compare traditional methods of estimating time to LWBS with an objective method using a real-time location tracking system (RTLS); examine temporal factors associated with greater LWBS rates. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of all ED visits to a large, suburban, quaternary care hospital in one calendar year. LWBS was calculated as patient registration to nurse recognition and documentation of patient abandonment (traditional method) vs registration to last onsite RTLS timestamp (study method). Descriptives of patterns of patient abandonment rates and patient demographic data were also included. Results Our study shows that traditional methods of measuring LWBS times significantly overestimate actual patient tolerance to waiting times (median 70, mean 92 min). Patients triaged to resource intensive categories (Emergency Severity Index (ESI) 2, 3) wait longer than patients triaged to less resource intensive categories (ESI 4, 5). Conclusion Compared to traditional methods, RTLS is an efficient and accurate way to measure LWBS rates and helps set the stage for assessing the efficacy of interventions to reduce LWBS and reduce the gap between those seeking evaluation at emergency departments and those ultimately receiving it.
Prognostic value of baseline SUVmax in patients with advanced stage follicular lymphoma receiving frontline rituximab-based therapy.

7540Background: Positron emission tomography (PET) is recommended in follicular lymphoma (FL) for initial staging, evaluation of potential transformation, and response assessment. The prognostic va...
Impact of nanoparticle surface charge and phosphate on the uptake of coexisting cerium oxide nanoparticles and cadmium by soybean (Glycine max. (L.) merr.)

AbstractEngineered nanoparticles (ENPs) often interact closely with coexisting environmental pollutants; however, the effect of their surface properties on such interactions in a plant system has n...
Utilization and Outcomes of Surgical Castration in Comparison to Medical Castration in Metastatic Prostate Cancer.

Abstract Background Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the gold standard for metastatic prostate cancer, which can be achieved either by surgical or medical castration. In this study, we evaluated the trends of utilization of surgical castration and also assess the survival differences of patients who underwent surgical castration when compared with those who underwent medical castration. Materials and Methods The National Cancer Database was used to identify patients with metastatic prostate cancer from 2004 to 2014. Cochran-Armitage tests were used to assess temporal trends in the proportion of patients receiving surgical castration relative to medical castration. Logistic and Cox regression models were utilized to estimate the odds of utilization of surgical castration and the effect of castration on overall survival (OS). Results A total of 33,585 patients with metastatic prostate cancer were identified; 31,600 (94.1%) had medical castration, and 1985 (5.9%) underwent surgical castration. There was significant decline in the trend of utilization of surgical castration from 8.6% in 2004 to 3.1% in 2014. On multivariable analysis, being of a non-Caucasian race, having lower median income levels, having non-private insurance, and earlier years of diagnosis were found to be associated with increased odds of choosing surgical castration over medical castration. Notably, the odds of surgical castration were lower at academic centers. On univariable analysis, a survival difference between castration modality was evidenced (P Conclusions In this large contemporary analysis, the utilization of surgical castration has declined over time, with no OS difference when compared with medical castration. Increasing the utilization of surgical castration could help reduce health care expenditures. With rising health care costs, patients and physicians need to be aware of treatment options and their financial implications.
Toussaint L’Ouver-Who? An Anthropological Approach to Infusing the African Diaspora into Caribbean History

World history curriculum continues to be plagued by Eurocentric narratives and perspectives eliminating local and community agency in Caribbean history. Textbooks and curriculum standards exclude m...
A Model-Predictive Hierarchical-Control Framework for Aggregating Residential DERs to Provide Grid Regulation Services

This paper develops a hierarchical control frame-work to aggregate and to manage behind-the-meter distributed energy resources (DERs), which will be ubiquitous in future distribution systems. In the proposed framework, firstly, each controller in the hierarchy determines the flexibility of the DERs such that the obtained flexibility is feasible with respect to its operational purview. For example, the operational purview of a home energy management system may only consider consumer comfort preferences, while that for an aggregator or a grid controller may consider network voltage management as well. Based on the feasible flexibility, optimal setpoints for the DERs is then determined by the hierarchical controllers to help the distribution power network in voltage regulation, coordination issues with existing transmission-level conventional generators, etc. Therefore, the proposed strategy, which is based on model-predictive control, can be effectively utilized by the distribution network to coordinate several DERs to provide grid regulation services. Numerical simulations performed on the IEEE 37-bus test system demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach.
PCL-Based Shape Memory Polymer Semi-IPNs: The Role of Miscibility in Tuning the Degradation Rate.

The utility of poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) as a shape memory polymer (SMP) may be improved by accelerating its degradation. Recently, we have reported novel semi-interpenetrating networks (semi-IPNs) composed of cross-linked PCL diacrylate (PCL-DA) and thermoplastic poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) that exhibited SMP behavior, accelerated degradation, and enhanced moduli versus the PCL-DA control. Herein, we systematically varied the thermoplastic component of the PCL-based semi-IPNs, incorporating homo- and copolymers based on lactic acid of different Mn, hydrophilicity, and crystallinity. Specifically, semicrystalline PLLAs of different Mns (7.5, 15, 30, and 120 kDa) were explored as the thermoplastics in the semi-IPNs. Additionally, to probe crystallinity and hydrophilicity, amorphous (or nearly amorphous) thermoplastics of different hydrophilicities (PDLLA and PLGAs 85:15, 70:30, and 50:50, l-lactide:glycolide mole % ratio) were employed. For all semi-IPNs, the wt % ratio of the cross-linked PCL-DA to thermoplastic was 75:25. The nature of the thermoplastics was linked to semi-IPN miscibility and the trends in accelerated degradation rates.
Deep Learning Techniques for Traffic Speed Forecasting with Side Information

Traffic speed prediction is an ongoing challenge for researchers, transportation agencies, and navigation applications. Involving real-world speed data makes the prediction complex and dynamic. The stochastic nature of traffic makes predictions using traditional statistical methods unsatisfying in terms of accuracy and performance. Recently, deep learning methods have gained more attention to capture this chaotic characteristic. This study conducts an encoder-decoder sequence to sequence learning manner and WaveNet with a side information model and compares the results with Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average. Using Waze crowdsourced speed data collected from 31 segments of Interstate 40 (I-40) in Tennessee, the proposed algorithms are trained and tested for short- and long term speed prediction (time steps from 5-minutes to 2-hours). Our experimental results demonstrate the WaveNet model with side information achieves the best performance with MAPE 4.40% for 5-minuets and MAPE 5.58% for 2-hours prediction.
Carbon uptake of concrete in the US pavement network

Abstract The impacts of climate conditions, the geometry of concrete in use, and end-of-life and surface treatment actions have received little attention in previous studies of carbon uptake calculation. This work attempts to advance the knowledge of pavement carbon uptake based on a bottom-up approach and using state-level data to estimate the carbon uptake of the US pavements and its associated cost. To do so, a pavement management system model was developed to predict the performance and characteristics of the national pavement network using local maintenance and repair practices and data science approaches. Then, a high-resolution carbon uptake estimation method was applied to this system model. Our results show that 5.8 million metric tons (Mt) CO2 can be sequestered by the US pavement network, of which 52% will be sequestered when the demolished concrete is stockpiled at the end of life. The climate condition and mix design practices in California result in this state having the largest carbon uptake during the use phase of the pavement life cycle, while the end-of-life uptake is larger in those states that have an extensive composite pavement network. Extending the stockpiling period up to 30 years can increase the total end-of-life carbon uptake to 11.8 Mt CO2. The cost associated with concrete stockpiling varies depending on the scenario, but abatement costs for a 1 to 17-year stockpiling timeframe are $25–100/ton CO2, making end-of-life stockpiling a competitive strategy for greenhouse gas mitigation of the road network.
HJB Based Optimal Safe Control using Control Barrier Functions.

This work proposes an optimal safe controller minimizing an infinite horizon cost functional subject to control barrier functions (CBFs) safety conditions. The constrained optimal control problem is reformulated as a minimization problem of the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation subjected to the safety constraints. By solving the optimization problem, we are able to construct a closed form solution that satisfies optimality and safety conditions. The proposed solution is shown to be continuous and thus it renders the safe set forward invariant while minimizing the given cost. As a consequence, optimal stabilizability and safety objectives are achieved simultaneously. To synthesize the optimal safe controller, we present a modified Galerkin successive approximation (GSA) approach which guarantees an optimal safe solution given a stabilizing safe initialization. The proposed algorithm is implemented on a constrained system to show its efficacy.
I’m Still Surviving. Jennifer Brier, project director. History Moves, 2020

“I’m Still Surviving is a living women’s history of HIV/AIDS,” reads the tagline to this digital history project. A product of History Moves, this website centers the stories of women living with H...
Wnt-5a and sost levels in gingival crevicular fluid depend on the inflammatory and osteoclastogenic activities of periodontal tissues

Background and Objectives: Wnt signaling leads to stimulation of osteoblasts and it reduces osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption via the regulation of the osteprotegrin and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligan (RANKL). Wnt signaling pathways are regulated by their physiological antagonists such as sclerostin (SOST) as well as WNT-5a. The aim of this study was to determine the total amount of Sclerostin and WNT-5a in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in sites with a continuum from a healthy to diseased periodontium. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 20 patients with generalized periodontitis, 10 subjects with gingivitis as well as 14 individuals with a healthy periodontium were recruited upon clinical and radiographic periodontal examination. In patients diagnosed with periodontitis, GCF samples were collected from periodontitis, gingivitis and healthy sites, while gingivitis patients provided samples from gingivitis and healthy sites. In healthy patients, only healthy sites were sampled. Protein total amount of SOST and WNT-5a were quantified by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: A total of 108 GCF samples were collected from a total of 44 individuals. When all periodontitis (n = 51), gingivitis (n = 12) and healthy (n = 45) sites were analyzed regardless of the patient diagnosis, periodontitis sites demonstrated significantly elevated WNT-5a total amounts (p = 0.03) when compared to gingivitis sites. Gingivitis sites demonstrated a trend of more total SOST (p = 0.09) when compared to periodontitis and healthy sites. Within each patient diagnostic category, sites showed similar SOST and WNT-5a total amounts (p > 0.05). Conclusions: WNT-5a levels in GCF depend on the stage of periodontitis sites. SOST trended higher in the GCF of gingivitis sites but similar in chronic periodontitis and healthy sites. WNT-5a and SOST play a crucial role in periodontal tissue remodeling and depend on the inflammatory and osteoclastogenic activities.
Increased Rates of Rhabdomyolysis in Male Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Recipients Taking Sirolimus and Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole.

ABSTRACT Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) offers long-term cure against early morbidity and mortality of hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell disease (SCD) and beta-thalassemia. Following HCT, sirolimus is an immunosuppressant used to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) while receiving trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) for Pneumocystis jirovecii prophylaxis and other antimicrobial agents (including acyclovir). One rare adverse event associated with both drugs is rhabdomyolysis, defined as creatine kinase (CK) elevation at least 5 to 10 times the upper limit of normal. This study was conducted to evaluate the rate of and risk factors for developing rhabdomyolysis in the post-HCT setting. Across 4 haploidentical and matched related donor (MRD) nonmyeloablative protocols, CK levels were prospectively monitored and patients were retrospectively identified for rhabdomyolysis. The rhabdomyolysis was graded based on the severity of CK elevation and other organ injury. At diagnosis, patients were queried for concurrent medication use (ie, sirolimus, TMP-SMX, acyclovir, or statins), sex, age, donor genotype, and time from transplantation. Among 127 patients with mostly SCD, rhabdomyolysis occurred in 22 (17%), including 2 recipients of haploidentical donor HCT and 20 recipients of MRD HCT. The time to the development of rhabdomyolysis was 61 and 73 days for the 2 recipients of haploidentical HCT and a median of 73 days for the MRD HCT recipients. Among the 22 patients who developed rhabdomyolysis, 20 (91%) were receiving sirolimus (2 haploidentical HCT recipients and 18 MRD HCT recipients), and 14 (64%) were also receiving TMP-SMX (all in the MRD HCT group). Seventy-five percent of the haploidentical donors and 69% of the MRDs had sickle cell trait. All but 2 patients with rhabdomyolysis were male. No patients who developed rhabdomyolysis were receiving statins at any point. Higher-than-expected rates of rhabdomyolysis were found post-transplantation for patients with SCD and beta-thalassemia. Contributing risk factors included immunosuppression with sirolimus, TMP-SMX, male sex, and sickle trait donor. These factors differ from the excessive muscle strain or injury, seizures, infections, or HMG-CoA inhibitors typically identified in non-HCT recipients.
Abstract 40: Genetic Deletion Of Mir-208a Induces Pathological Remodeling And Heart Failure

Introduction: miR-208a, a small non-coding RNA expressed only in the heart, has a profound influence on cardiac gene expression. It has been previously demonstrated that genetic deletion of miR-208a does not affect viability or induce gross morphological heart defects, suggesting it is not required for normal cardiac growth and function (van Rooij et al., 2007; Callis et al., 2009). However, recent data from our lab indicate that miR-208a knock-out (KO) mice (developed in the laboratory of Da-Zhi Wang and subsequently maintained by inbreeding) display gross morphological cardiac abnormalities and dramatically reduced survival. Therefore, this investigation sought out to determine the mechanism(s) responsible for the maladaptive growth. Methods: Wild-type (WT) and miR-208a KO littermate mice (3-5 mon old) were used for this investigation. Cardiac function was assessed via echocardiography, cardiac fibrosis by collagen fiber staining, and gene expression by real-time PCR and Western blotting. We also measured basal Ca2+ transients and unloaded cell shortening in isolated mouse ventricular myocytes. Results: We observed KO mice have significantly lower survival rates, developed marked cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and have significantly reduced cardiac function. Compared to WT controls, cardiomyocytes from KO mice exhibited a significantly lower percent of cell shortening, slower rates of relaxation and contraction, lower amplitude, and slower kinetics (tau) of Ca2+ transients. Additionally, there was a reduced phosphorylation of phospholamban (Ser16) in miR-208 KO mice indicating a lower Ca2+ affinity of the SR Ca2+-ATPase. Conclusions: These data provide evidence that the observed reduction in cardiac function in miR-208a KO mice is likely due, in part, to alterations in cellular Ca2+ fluxes. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate genetic deletion of miR-208a induces a maladaptive phenotype at baseline. Our findings indicate the importance of considering variables such as genetic/environmental constraints when perturbing the expression of the miR-208a in the heart.
Identification and Structural Characterization of Naturally-Occurring Broad-Spectrum Cyclic Antibiotics Isolated from Paenibacillus

The rise of antimicrobial resistance necessitates the discovery and/or production of novel antibiotics. Isolated strains of Paenibacillus alvei were previously shown to exhibit antimicrobial activity against a number of pathogens, such as E. coli, Salmonella, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The responsible antimicrobial compounds were isolated from these Paenibacillus strains and a combination of low and high resolution mass spectrometry with multiple-stage tandem mass spectrometry was used for identification. A group of closely related cyclic lipopeptides was identified, differing primarily by fatty acid chain length and one of two possible amino acid substitutions. Variation in the fatty acid length resulted in mass differences of 14 Da and yielded groups of related MSn spectra. Despite the inherent complexity of MS/MS spectra of cyclic compounds, straightforward analysis of these spectra was accomplished by determining differences in complementary product ion series between compounds that differ in molecular weight by 14 Da. The primary peptide sequence assignment was confirmed through genome mining; the combination of these analytical tools represents a workflow that can be used for the identification of complex antibiotics. The compounds also share amino acid sequence similarity to a previously identified broad-spectrum antibiotic isolated from Paenibacillus. The presence of such a wide distribution of related compounds produced by the same organism represents a novel class of broad-spectrum antibiotic compounds.
Fast Spatial Decomposition and Closest Pair Computation for Limited Precision Input

In this paper we show that if the input points to the geometric closest pair problem are given with limited precision (each coordinate is specified with O( log n) bits), then we can compute the closest pair in O(n log log n) time. We also apply our spatial decomposition technique to the k -nearest neighbor and n -body problems, achieving similar improvements. To make use of the limited precision of the input points, we use a reasonable machine model that allows ``bit shifting'' in constant time—we believe that this model is realistic, and provides an interesting way of beating the Ω(n log n) lower bound that exists for this problem using the more typical algebraic RAM model.
Texture of copper films on Ta35Si18N47 and Ti33Si23N44 underlayers

The crystallographic texture and the grain size have been measured by X-ray diffraction techniques for about 200 nm-thick Cu films sputter-deposited on amorphous Ta35Si18N47 and Ti33Si23N44 underlayers, and for comparison also on TiN underlayers and oxidized silicon, all on Si (100) substrates. The (111) texture of the as-deposited Cu films increases in the sequence TiN<SiO2<Ti33Si23N44<Ta35Si18N47. Amorphous Ta35Si18N47 and Ti33Si23N44 layers evidently promote quite effectively the growth of highly (111) textured Cu films. After vacuum annealing at 450°C for 30 min the texture of Cu rises on Ti33Si23N44, falls on Ta35Si18N47, while that on TiN and on SiO2 changes little and the sequence becomes TiN<SiO2<Ta35Si18N47<Ti33Si23N44. The grain size of the as-deposited Cu films increases in the sequence Ti33Si23N44<SiO2<Ta35Si18N47<Ti47N53 and rises moderately upon annealing, least for TiN and most for SiO2 and Ti33Si23N44.
RTTometer: measuring path minimum RTT with confidence

Internet path delay is a substantial metric in determining path quality. Therefore, it is not surprising that round-trip time (RTT) plays a tangible role in several protocols and applications, such as overlay network construction protocol, peer-to-peer services, and proximity-based server redirection. Unfortunately, current RTT measurement tools report delay without any further insight about path condition. Therefore, applications usually estimate minimum RTT by sending a large number of probes to gain confidence in the measured RTT. Nevertheless, a large number of probes does not directly translate to better confidence. Usually, minimum RTT can be measured using few probes. Based on observations of path RTT presented by Z. Wang et al. (see Proc. Passive & Active Measurement Workshop - PAM'03, 2003), we develop a set of techniques, not only to measure minimum path RTT, but also to associate it with a confidence level that reveals the condition on the path during measurement. Our tool, called RTTometer, is able to provide a confidence measure associated with path RTT. Besides, given a required confidence level, RTTometer dynamically adjusts the number of probes based on a path's condition. We describe our techniques implemented in RTTometer and present our preliminary experiences using RTTometer to estimate RTT on various representative paths of the Internet.
Assessing executive and community functioning among homeless persons with substance use disorders using the executive function performance test

This study investigates the utility of an occupational therapy assessment of executive and performance functioning and indicators of community adjustment among adults with histories of homelessness and substance abuse. A sample of 60 individuals living in a supported housing programme was interviewed about community living experiences and was assessed using the Executive Function Performance Test (EFPT). A descriptive and correlational study design was used. Measurable levels of cognitive and task impairment were documented, in older adults, non-US citizens and those diagnosed with cognitive impairments. Those who had completed a supported education/employment programme (Total EFPT t = -2.83, 0.008) performed better as did those who were employed (Total EFPT t = -2.33, 0.03), met regularly with their case managers (cooking t = -2.07, 0.04), had hobbies (paying bills r = -0.31, 0.02) and had longer periods of abstinence (organization/planning t = -3.59, 0.001). Limitations of the study include the unanticipated need by the clients for additional translation services. Future directions include a randomized controlled intervention study using the EFPT. An implication of this study for occupational therapists working with homeless clients who abuse substances is the importance of assessing and treating their cognitive impairments as well as providing these services within housing first agencies.
Nuclear safety considerations for the design of a shuttle launched 500 to 2000 watt isotope Brayton power system.

An extensive study was conducted to evaluate the safety requirements for the design of a heat source assembly for use in a shuttle launched, isotope Brayton electric power system for the 500-W(e) to 2 kWe range. The assembly is a self-contained package which supplies heat to a power conversion system. A typical mission profile for a shuttle launched, earth orbital mission was assumed. Critical mission accidents were identified and evaluated to determine their impact upon the design of the Heat Source Assembly. Earth-orbital decay reentry analyses were performed to demonstrate survivability of the heat source. Safety design requirements were developed to ensure survivability under credible accident conditions including loss of the power conversion system in orbit.
Re-Framing Windows: The Durable Meaning of the Microsoft Antitrust Litigation

The success, failure, and durable meaning of major antitrust cases often turn on how they are framed before the courts and the public. In the Microsoft monopolization litigation, the government plaintiffs framed the case as one in which Microsoft sought to extinguish the threat to its Windows monopoly with a comprehensive strategy of using monopoly power to exclude potential rivals, rather than succeeding through superior products. In decided contrast, Microsoft argued that the government plaintiffs, acting at the behest of losing competitors, were attempting to interfere with a dynamic and continually evolving industry, one in which Microsoft actually faced potent competitive threats. For a time the plaintiffs' narrative was ascendant. The narrative began to lose ground, however, when a new administration took office in Washington and settled the case on terms that were unlikely to bring competition to the market in which Microsoft had improperly maintained its monopoly. The re-framing of the Windows case was underway. In this article we trace the reframing process. We begin by reviewing the original trial and appellate court decisions, upholding the core of the plaintiffs' case. We show how the seeds for reframing, planted in the court of appeals' decision, were subsequently used by the Justice Department to justify a settlement. We then review the settlement decree's administration to demonstrate how disappointing its results have been. Indeed, the government that once prosecuted Microsoft has now come full circle to defend many of Microsoft's core business strategies and to criticize antitrust enforcement agencies elsewhere in the world that are still attempting to stop Microsoft's exclusionary conduct. As Microsoft has been reframed, the case has thus become a vehicle for redirecting antitrust doctrine and enforcement away from the problems of monopoly, especially in the new economy, in part by demeaning the value of government antitrust enforcement. The history of the public prosecution of Microsoft reminds us that major monopolization cases are important to bring but politically difficult to manage to successful conclusion. If the effort to reframe the Microsoft case succeeds, our concern is that the already limited public power available to pursue private power in the public interest will be circumscribed and the historic role of the government to challenge competition-related abuses of private power may be crippled.
Prospective, randomized, controlled trial of a hemostatic sealant in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of Floseal as a hemostatic sealant compared to traditional electrocautery hemostasis after cold knife adenotonsillectomy.STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial of 68 consecutive patients undergoing cold steel adenotonsillectomy. Patients were randomized to receive either Floseal (FS) or electrocautery (EC) for hemostasis.RESULTS: FS patients had shorter operative times than EC patients (16 min vs 31.2 min, P < 0.0001) and less blood loss (49.2 mL vs 70.8 mL, P < 0.05). Four EC patients were crossed over to Floseal when adequate hemostasis could not be achieved in the adenoid bed. No Floseal patients were crossed over. FS patients had significantly less pain on postoperative days two through 11 (P < 0.05) and less use of narcotic pain medications over the first 10 postoperative days (P < 0.05). FS patients also had a faster return to regular diet (5.5 days vs 7.9 days, P < 0.01) and activity (5.3 days vs 7.8 days, P < 0.01) as compared to the EC patient...