cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of DSM-IV Disorders and Attendant Help-Seeking in 2 American Indian Reservation Populations

Background The American Indian Service Utilization, Psychiatric Epidemiology, Risk and Protective Factors Project (AI-SUPERPFP) estimated the mental health burden and associated help-seeking in select American Indian reservation communities. Objective To determine the lifetime and 12-month prevalence of common DSM-IV disorders, their demographic correlates, and patterns of help-seeking in 2 culturally distinct American Indian reservation communities in the Southwest and Northern Plains. Design Completed between 1997 and 2000, a cross-sectional probability sample survey. Setting General community. Participants Three thousand eighty-four (Southwest = 1446 and Northern Plains = 1638) members, aged 15-54 years, of 2 tribal groups living on or near their home reservations were randomly sampled from the tribal rolls. Response rates were 73.7% and 76.8% for the Southwest and Northern Plains tribes, respectively. Main Outcomes Measures The AI-SUPERPFP Composite International Diagnostic Interview, a culturally adapted version of the University of Michigan version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, to assess DSM-IV diagnoses and help-seeking. Results Overall lifetime prevalence of AI-SUPERPFP DSM-IV disorders ranged from 35.7% for Southwest women to near 50% for both groups of men. Alcohol abuse and dependence were the most common disorders for men, with posttraumatic stress disorder most prevalent for women. Many of those with lifetime alcohol problems or posttraumatic stress disorder no longer met criteria for 12-month diagnoses. Significant levels of comorbidity were found between those with depressive and/or anxiety and substance disorders. Demographic correlates other than tribe, sex, and age were generally unrelated to disorder status. A majority of participants with lifetime disorders had sought help from mental health professionals, other medical personnel, or culturally traditional sources. Conclusions Alcohol disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder were more common in these American Indian populations than in other populations using comparable methods. Substantial comorbidity between depressive and/or anxiety and substance disorders suggests the need for greater coordination of treatment for comorbid disorders.
Extending two-dimensional human-inspired bipedal robotic walking to three dimensions through geometric reduction

Three-dimensional humanlike bipedal walking is obtained through a hybrid control strategy which combines geometric reduction with human-inspired control. Functional Routhian reduction decouples the sagittal and coronal dynamics of a biped, thereby reducing the control design problem to sagittal motion. Experimental human kinematics data have shown that certain outputs on a human's kinematics follow a canonical human function : Human-inspired controllers are designed based on this function. The parameters of these functions are found through optimization by trying to make them as close to the human data as possible while simultaneously forming a partial hybrid zero dynamics under feedback linearization. PD control is used in these controllers to track the human functions resulting in stable walking in both two- and three-dimensional simulations.
The Birth Was Normal — But is the Baby?

: The group of babies at lowest risk for neonatal problems have experienced a significant drop in morbidity and mortality since neonatology began in the 1960's. Up to 50% of such low-risk babies develop jaundice which requires treatment. ABO hemolytic disease and polycythemia affect 5% and 3% of full-term babies, respectively. Congenital malformations occur in about 1–2% of term newborns, and infection will be found in 2–5 babies per thousand. Because infections can be life-threatening and the symptoms are vague in newborns, we do from 25 to 40 septic work-ups for every one infection confirmed. Handling the high risk mother whose infant needs diagnostic or treatment procedures is easier than handling the shocked mother who expected a normal outcome according to Dr. Phibbs. It is better to give a simple statement of what is being done, and why, than to give technical explanations. Because of the adaptability of human mothers and infants, we find that separation of mothers and infants for common procedures does not interfere with bonding.
Predicting geometry and stacking pattern of thin beds by interpreting geomorphology and waveforms using sequential stratal-slices in the Wheeler domain

AbstractI used a seismic sedimentology-based approach for interpreting the spatial geometry and stacking pattern of superimposed, seismically thin beds. The method was applicable to conventional low-frequency seismic data and required knowledge of the basic shape of the seismic wavelet and lithology-impedance relationship (impedance model). It was primarily aimed at those beds that were spatially extensive enough to be resolved horizontally, but so thin as to only be detected vertically with a given bandwidth, and it assumed that the data had been converted to stratal slices in the relative geologic time (or Wheeler) domain. A simple one-bed model illustrated that a thin-bed depositional system can be characterized by a seismic-geomorphologic pattern of the same spatial shape on sequential relative geologic-time (stratal) slices, but the amplitude, phase, and polarity would vary depending upon the known (estimated) seismic wavelet. This phenomenon could be captured and evaluated in the thin bed’s response...
Role of lateral cell–cell border location and extracellular/transmembrane domains in PECAM/CD31 mechanosensation

Abstract Phosphorylation of tyrosine residues on platelet–endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1), followed by signal transduction events, has been described in endothelial cells following exposure to hyperosmotic and fluid shear stress. However, it is unclear whether PECAM-1 functions as a primary mechanosensor in this process. Utilizing a PECAM-1–null EC-like cell line, we examined the importance of cellular localization and the extracellular and transmembrane domains in PECAM-1 phosphorylation responses to mechanical stress. Tyrosine phosphorylation of PECAM-1 was stimulated in response to mechanical stress in null cells transfected either with full length PECAM-1 or with PECAM-1 mutants that do not localize to the lateral cell–cell adhesion site and that do not support homophilic binding between PECAM-1 molecules. Furthermore, null cells transfected with a construct that contains the intact cytoplasmic domain of PECAM-1 fused to the extracellular and transmembrane domains of the interleukin-2 receptor also underwent mechanical stress-induced PECAM-1 tyrosine phosphorylation. These findings suggest that mechanosensitive PECAM-1 may lie downstream of a primary mechanosensor that activates a tyrosine kinase.
Engineering Aspects of Complex Gas Turbine Combustion Mixers Part III: 30 OPR

An overview is given on the use of several complex multi-swirler devices in gas turbine combustion and attendant technological advances in emissions, cooling, pattern factor, operability and overall temperature increase across the combustor. The emphasis of this paper is on the initiation of promising lean-direct injection concepts, LDI and how it led to development of several innovative premix- and partially premix-concepts applicable mostly for the 30 overall pressure ratios, OPR gas turbine engines. I INTRODUCTION
An Ecological Approach to Understanding Sexual Revictimization: Linking Personal, Interpersonal, and Sociocultural Factors and Processes

This article applies an ecological model to the problem of sexual revictimization to advance the understanding of how personal, interpersonal, and sociocultural factors contribute to child sexual abuse victims' increased risk of being sexually victimized later in life. This ecological model explores how sexual revictimization is multiply determined by factors related to the victim's personal history (e.g., traumatic sexualization), the relationship in which revictimization occurs (e.g., decreased ability to resist unwanted sexual advances), the community (e.g., lack of family support), and the larger culture (e.g., blaming the victim attitudes). This article represents a step toward integrating findings on sexual revictimization and providing directions for future empirical work.
Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus-Related Virus Prevalence in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Chronic Immunomodulatory Conditions

We investigated the prevalence of xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) among 293 participants seen at academic hospitals in Boston, Massachusetts. Participants were recruited from the following 5 groups of patients: chronic fatigue syndrome (n = 32), human immunodeficiency virus infection (n = 43), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 97), hematopoietic stem-cell or solid organ transplant (n = 26), or a general cohort of patients presenting for medical care (n = 95). XMRV DNA was not detected in any participant samples. We found no association between XMRV and patients with chronic fatigue syndrome or chronic immunomodulatory conditions.
Aerosol therapy: The special needs of young children

Efficient aerosol therapy in young children is a challenge. The aerosol administration method requires special features, because young children can not perform an inhalation manoeuvre, breath usually through the nose and may be distressed during the administration. The prescribing clinician should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the different inhalation devices available, in order to select the proper device for each individual patient. For maintenance asthma therapy in young children the pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) combined with spacer is the first choice for delivering aerosols. A facemask can be attached if a child is unable to breath through the mouth. A small leak of the facemask can reduce the dose delivered dramatically, therefore a good seal is crucial. Lung deposition can be improved by using a pMDI with extra-fine particles. However, even if the most optimal device is chosen, cooperation during administration remains the most important determinant for efficient drug delivery. During crying the dose to the lungs is minimal. Optimal aerosol delivery to the lungs of young children can be achieved with a good facemask seal, good cooperation of the child, with quiet breathing and an aerosol with small particles.
Daily Energy Intake of Broiler Chickens is Altered by Proximate Nutrient Content and Form of the Diet

An experiment was designed to test the ability of broiler chickens to equalize daily energy intake when proximate components of the diet were changed. A factorial arrangement was used to test effects of protein, fat, and fiber content in the diet. The simplest diet contained only corn and soybean meal to provide energy and protein. Protein contents were calculated to be 16.4, 18.2, and 20.0%, with added protein from a combination of corn gluten meal, fish meal, and peanut meal. Hydrolyzed fat was added at 0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5% of the diets. A combination of alfalfa meal, oats, and wheat middlings was used to increase the fiber of the corn soy diet by approximately 2 and 4%. The 36 combinations were fed as mash. In addition, 8 of the diets were fed as pellets. All diets were fed for 12 d from the time broilers reached approximately 1.2 kg. A total excreta collection was used to determine ME, and carcass analysis provided fat and energy content. When fed mash, only sex had a significant effect on grams of feed eaten per day. Sex and dietary fat content affected gain per day. Sex, fat, and fiber altered the kcal of ME eaten per day. Broilers fed 5% added fat ate approximately 10% more energy per day than those fed no added fat, and broilers fed 4% added fiber ate approximately 20% less ME than those fed no added fiber. A comparison of results from mash and pellets showed that only sex and form affected gain per day, feed per day, and kilocalories of ME eaten per day. For the mash and pellets, protein, fat, fiber, and several interactions affected the ME per gram; however, the ME per gram was similar for pellets and mash. The results suggest that the diet composition and form have a significant effect on the energy intake of broiler chickens.
Transport into and out of the Nucleus

A defining characteristic of eukaryotic cells is the possession of a nuclear envelope. Transport of macromolecules between the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments occurs through nuclear pore complexes that span the double membrane of this envelope. The molecular basis for transport has been revealed only within the last few years. The transport mechanism lacks motors and pumps and instead operates by a process of facilitated diffusion of soluble carrier proteins, in which vectoriality is provided by compartment-specific assembly and disassembly of cargo-carrier complexes. The carriers recognize localization signals on the cargo and can bind to pore proteins. They also bind a small GTPase, Ran, whose GTP-bound form is predominantly nuclear. Ran-GTP dissociates import carriers from their cargo and promotes the assembly of export carriers with cargo. The ongoing discovery of numerous carriers, Ran-independent transport mechanisms, and cofactors highlights the complexity of the nuclear transport process. Multiple regulatory mechanisms are also being identified that control cargo-carrier interactions. Circadian rhythms, cell cycle, transcription, RNA processing, and signal transduction are all regulated at the level of nucleocytoplasmic transport. This review focuses on recent discoveries in the field, with an emphasis on the carriers and cofactors involved in transport and on possible mechanisms for movement through the nuclear pores.
Evaluation of Cefazolin, a New Cephalosporin Antibiotic

Cefazolin sodium was tested in vitro against 308 isolates of Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, and enterococcus. Broth and agar dilution and disk diffusion techniques were used with at least two sizes of inocula of organisms. Cefazolin was also studied in the treatment of 85 hospitalized patients with a variety of serious infections. In concentations of 5 mug or less/ml, cefazolin inhibited and killed more than 90% of isolates of Enterobacteriaceae with the exception of indole-positive Proteus and Enterobacter species. No isolate of P. aeruginosa and only a few of Enterobacter and enterococci were killed by 25 mug of cefazolin/ml, a concentration readily attainable in serum with a 500-mg dose given intramuscularly. Penicillin-susceptible as well as penicillin-resistant isolates of S. aureus were killed by 1 mug or less of cefazolin per ml; however, 25 mug/ml was required to kill 100% of the strains when the inoculum size was increased 100-fold. Cefazolin treatment appeared effective in 82 of 85 patients, including four with endocarditis. Pain was minimal after intramuscular injection, and thrombophlebitis was not observed in those treated intravenously. No patient developed a positive Coombs test, and no evidence of renal toxicity was apparent in clinical studies.
Integrating Palliative Care into Practice

Practitioners in long-term care medicine are seeing an ever-increasing number of persons with chronic progressive illness who reside either at home or in a LTC setting (nursing facility, SNF, assisted living or residential care). As of 2001, 46% of all deaths in the United States occur in these settings. Accordingly, clinicians have advocated that palliative care practice can be generalized and applied to such patient populations [1]. A multidimensional model of successful aging despite chronic illness where disease and its physiological and functional limitations are offset by compensatory psycho-emotional and social interventions that result in emotional vitality, well-being, and engagement with life and spirituality has been set forth by some [2]. Such an approach to care embodies the true philosophy of palliative care. Palliative care can and should be integrated alongside the traditional treatment of disease, where disease-modifying treatments are not necessarily avoided if appropriate and congruent with patients’ goals of care. Such “total care” should be safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable, all consistent with the six aims of the Institute of Medicine 2001 report to improve health care in the United States.
Trends in the Development of Psychiatric Services, 1844-1994

Over the past 150 years, support for providing appropriate services for mentally ill persons has waxed and waned. in colonial America, mentally ill persons were institutionalized in jails or almshouses. in the 18th and 19th centuries, asylums constituted the primary psychiatric service. Only in the late 19th and early 20th centuries did alternatives to long-term hospitalization appear. The mental hygiene movement of the early 20th century and the community mental health centers movement of the 1960s and 1970s both increased the number of services and introduced new types of services. Today, however, despite hopeful signs of reduced public prejudice against mentally ill persons, a new "dark age" for support of psychiatric services may be dawning, as negative attitudes about mental illness continue to drive public policy.
Evaluation of cool- and warm-season grasses for resistance to multiple chinch bug (Hemiptera: Blissidae) species.

Chinch bugs are common pests of many agronomic and horticulturally important crops and turfgrasses. The extensive overlap of plant hosts and geographic distribution of Blissus leucopterus leucopterus (Say), Blissus leucopterus hirtus Montandon, Blissus insularis Barber, and Blissus occiduus Barber underscores the importance of identifying resistant germplasm. Cool- and warm-season turfgrasses and sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, were evaluated for resistance to chinch bugs in the Blissus complex, and the presence of multiple resistance was documented. Greenhouse studies established that B. occiduus-resistant (OPrestigeO, formerly NE91-118) and -susceptible (O378) buffa- lograsses, , Buchloedactyloides (Nuttall) Engelmann, were susceptible to all other chinch bug species. KS94 sorghum exhibited resistance to both B. occiduus and B. l. leucopterus, whereas B. insularis- resistant St. Augustinegrass, Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walter) Kuntze (OFloratamO), was also resis- tant to B.occiduus.B.l.leucopterus-susceptible sorghum (OWheatlandO) and B.insularis-susceptible St. Augustinegrasses (ORaleighO and OAmerishadeO) were highly resistant to B. occiduus. Endophyte-free and -enhanced Þne fescues (Festuca spp.) were moderately to highly susceptible to B. l. hirtus but moderately to highly resistant to B. occiduus. The results of this research showed the buffalograsses evaluated, including B. occiduus-resistant Prestige, are moderately to highly susceptible to the three other chinch bug species. In contrast, B. occiduus did not cause considerable damage to any of the turfgrasses or sorghum cultivars evaluated, other than buffalograss, irrespective of whether or not they are resistant to another chinch bug species. This information is increasingly important as various grasses become adapted to regions that may possess chinch bug species other than those with which they are typically associated. These levels of Blissus resistance should be included when selecting resistant germplasm for managing Blissus species pests.
Mate choice decisions by searchers

For more than two decades rudimentary versions of the fixed sample and sequential search strategies have provided the primary theoretical foundation for the study of mate choice decisions by searchers. The theory that surrounds these models has expanded markedly over this time period. In this paper, we review and extend results derived from these models, with a focus on the empirical analysis of searcher behavior. The basic models are impractical for empirical purposes because they rely on the as- sumption that searchers—and, for applied purposes, researchers—assess prospective mates based on their quality, the fitness consequences of mate choice decisions. Here we expound versions of the models that are more empirically useful, reformulated to reflect decisions based on male phenotypic characters. For some organisms, it may be possible to use preference functions to de- rive predictions from the reformulated models and thereby avoid difficulties associated with the measurement of male quality per se. But predictions derived from the two models are difficult to differentiate empirically, regardless of how the models are formu- lated. Here we develop ideas that illustrate how this goal might be accomplished. In addition, we clarify how the variability of male quality should be evaluated and we extend what is known about how this variability influences searcher behavior under each model. More general difficulties associated with the empirical study of mate choice decisions by searchers are also discussed (Current Zoology 59 (2): 184-199, 2013).
Design Structure Matrix Extensions and Innovations: A Survey and New Opportunities

The design structure matrix (DSM), also called the dependency structure matrix, has become a widely used modeling framework across many areas of research and practice. The DSM brings advantages of simplicity and conciseness in representation, and, supported by appropriate analysis, can also highlight important patterns in system architectures (design structures), such as modules and cycles. A literature review in 2001 cited about 100 DSM papers; there have been over 1000 since. Thus, it is useful to survey the latest DSM extensions and innovations to help consolidate progress and identify promising opportunities for further research. This paper surveys the DSM literature, primarily from archival journals, and organizes the developments pertaining to building, displaying, analyzing, and applying product, process, and organization DSMs. It then addresses DSM applications in other domains, as well as recent developments with domain mapping matrices (DMMs) and multidomain matrices (MDMs). Overall, DSM methods are becoming more mainstream, especially in the areas of engineering design, engineering management, management/organization science, and systems engineering. Despite significant research contributions, however, DSM awareness seems to be spreading more slowly in the realm of project management.
Timing Matters ‐ Influenza Vaccination to HIV‐Infected Patients

Author(s): Glinka, ER; Smith, DM; Johns, ST | Abstract: ObjectivesPatients with HIV infection vaccinated early in the flu season are more likely to contract influenza or influenza-like illness (ILI) compared with those receiving late vaccination. It is known that antibody titres wane over time, particularly among individuals with HIV infection. It is unclear if the timing of influenza vaccination within the flu season affects the probability of an influenza infection later during the flu season. The aim of this study is to evaluate if there is a relationship between the timing of influenza vaccination and incidence of influenza or ILI in patients with HIV infection.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of HIV-infected patients in care at the Department of Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System was conducted from 1 September 2005 to 31 May 2013. Among these patients, we evaluated whether there was a relationship between the timing of influenza vaccination and the incidence of laboratory-confirmed influenza, influenza diagnosed by a physician, or ILI.ResultsPatients who received influenza vaccine early in the season were more likely to contract influenza or ILI than patients who were vaccinated late (P l 0.01). Vaccinated patients who developed influenza or ILI were more likely to do so later in the season (P l 0.01).ConclusionsHIV-infected patients vaccinated early in the flu season were more likely to contract influenza or ILI than those vaccinated later in the season.
Cytokinetically based induction chemotherapy and splenectomy for childhood acute nonlymphocytic leukemia

A four-drug regimen, based on cell kinetic principles, induced complete remissions in 68 of 95 children (72%) with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). Patients entered remission after 2-5 weekly cycles of vincristine-daunorubicin (day 1) followed by sequential cytosine arabinoside and 6-azauridine (days 4-7). With continuation therapy of monthly vincristine-doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide, weekly cytosine arabinoside, and daily 6-mercaptopurine, the median duration of complete remission was 10 mo and the median survival time 21 mo. Portal triaditis, evident in 11 of 23 patients with liver biopsies, was associated with long remissions. A larger spleen size (greater than 5 cm) and a higher myeloblast labeling index (greater than 10%) at diagnosis were clearly related to shorter durations of remission. Splenectomy within 1 mo of remission had no statistically significant effect on the frequency of relapse or length of remission. Patients without central nervous system (CNS) leukemia at diagnosis, all treated prophylactically with intrathecal methotrexate, had a low frequency of initial CNS relapse (3/56, 5%). The 2-yr disease-free survival rate is 29% (20 of 68 patients attaining complete remission). fifteen patients have completed 2.5 yr of therapy, and each remains in continuous complete remission, off treatment, for 1+ -36+ mo. This induction chemotherapy was as effective as more intensive regimens, with the advantage of less toxicity and shorter periods of hospitalization.
Geometry and expression enhance enrichment of functional yeast‐displayed ligands via cell panning

Yeast surface display has proven to be an effective tool in the discovery and evolution of ligands with new or improved binding activity. Selections for binding activity are generally carried out using immobilized or fluorescently labeled soluble domains of target molecules such as recombinant ectodomain fragments. While this method typically provides ligands with high affinity and specificity for the soluble molecular target, translation to binding true membrane-bound cellular target is commonly problematic. Direct selections against mammalian cell surfaces can be carried out either exclusively or in combination with soluble target-based selections to further direct towards ligands for genuine cellular target. Using a series of fibronectin domain, affibody, and Gp2 ligands and human cell lines expressing a range of their targets, epidermal growth factor receptor and carcinoembryonic antigen, this study quantitatively identifies the elements that dictate ligand enrichment and yield. Most notably, extended flexible linkers between ligand and yeast enhance enrichment ratios from 1.4 ± 0.8 to 62 ± 57 for a low-affinity (>600 nM) binder on cells with high target expression and from 14 ± 13 to 74 ± 25 for a high-affinity binder (2 nM) on cells with medium valency. Inversion of the yeast display fusion from C-terminal display to N-terminal display still enables enrichment albeit with 40-97% reduced efficacy. Collectively, this study further enlightens the conditions-while highlighting new approaches-that yield successful enrichment of yeast-displayed binding ligands via panning on mammalian cells. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 2328-2341. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Towards Performance Evaluation of Cloudant for Customer Representative Workloads

NoSQL Database Management Systems (DBMS) have increased in prominence and market share in the last few years. IBM Cloudant is one of the well-known enterprise NoSQL DBMS which has been offered in both cloud and also as an onpremise standalone product (i.e. Cloudant Local). Cloudant has a large number of customers such as Samsung, Adobe, DHL, etc. In this paper, we will demonstrate how Cloudant can maintain its high throughput for customer-representative workloads which have a mix of create/read/update/delete operations and also queries that contain views. Moreover, we also show how we can dynamically add/remove database nodes to/from the cluster without bringing down the working nodes. We also demonstrate how we have improved the performance for queries with views by changing a native library.
Binding Sites for IGF-I Identified on Theca Cells from Large Porcine Follicles

Theca from large porcine follicles (>8mm) were examined for specific IGF-I binding sites. Thecal membranes were prepared and then incubated overnight at 4°C with I-IGF-I with or without increasing concentrations of IGF-I, IGF-II and insulin. Specific high-affinity IGF-I binding sites were demonstrated. Scatchard analysis gave a curvilinear plot with a Ka for the high affinity sites of 1.97 ± 0.35 nM (binding capacity, 305.7±37.2 fmol/mg protein). Preferential binding was IGF-I>IGF-II>insulin. Interestingly, IGFs modulate steroidogenesis in porcine theca cells with a similar order of potency. These data demonstrate high affinity, low capacity binding of IGF-I to porcine thecal membranes and suggest that IGF-I and related peptides act on thecal steroidogenesis through IGF-I receptors.
Aerodynamic optimization of shrouded wind turbines

An axisymmetric Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes solver is used along with an actuator disk model for the analysis of shrouded wind turbine flowfields. Following this, an efficient blade design technique that maximizes sectional power production is developed. These two techniques are incorporated into an optimization framework that seeks to design the geometry of the shroud and rotor to extract maximum power under thrust constraints. The optimal solution is also evaluated using a full three-dimensional Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes solver, suggesting the viability of the design. The predicted optimal designs yield power augmentations well in excess of the Betz limit, even if the normalization of the power coefficient is performed with respect to the maximum shroud area. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Small intestinal interventions including barriers, duodenal mucosal resurfacing, and other small bowel strategies

Abstract Bariatric surgery has revolutionized obesity treatment. There remains, however, a large demand for less invasive and potentially cheaper or even reversible procedures that impart a similar effect on obesity and its related comorbidities. Endoluminal Bariatric Therapies, such as endoluminal sleeves or barriers, duodenal mucosal resurfacing technology, and magnetic anastomoses may emerge to fill this gap. To date, their safety profiles and the reported success with regard to both weight loss and diabetes control have proven favorable, yet need to be further studied before widespread adoption. The following review will discuss in detail these procedures and the literature supporting their continued development and potential clinical applications.
Effects of Differential Pressure Measurement Characteristics on Low Pressure-EGR Estimation Error in Si-Engines

Abstract With proper control, cooled LP-EGR can be used for knock mitigation in SI engines, enabling fuel economy improvements through more optimal combustion phasing and lower fuel-enrichment at high loads. In addition, it can allow more aggressive downsizing and boosting. Due to the inherent pressure pulsations and low differential pressures across the EGR valve, however, estimating the LP-EGR within the inducted charge can be problematic. The accuracy of this estimation, based on a pressure differential (Δ P ) measurement and the steady compressible flow orifice equation is investigated for various Δ P sensor response speeds and sampling rates using a GT-Power model of a modified Ford 1.6 L EcoBoost engine. In addition, an unsteady compressible flow orifice equation that accounts for flow inertia is derived and used to estimate LP-EGR for the case of a fast response Δ P sensor. Errors in the estimated EGR percentage using the steady compressible orifice equation with averaged Δ P measurement can be as high as 30%, and errors within ±1% require a Δ P of at least 10 kPa. These two measures can be improved up to a maximum EGR estimation error of 10% and a minimum Δ P of 4 kPa respectively through the use of crank-angle resolved Δ P measurement. Further improvements are possible with the new unsteady orifice equation, where all errors are reduced roughly to within ±1%. The effect of inertia, however, can be mimicked in the steady orifice equation with a realistic sampling rate and a slower sensor with an appropriately selected response speed, resulting in a maximum error of 5% and errors within ±1% for Δ P exceeding 1 kPa.
Display of single-chain variable fragments on bacteriophage MS2 virus-like particles

Virus-like particles (VLPs) of the RNA bacteriophage MS2 have many potential applications in biotechnology. MS2 VLPs provide a platform for peptide display and affinity selection (i.e. biopanning). They are also under investigation as vehicles for targeted drug delivery, using display of receptor-specific peptides or nucleic acid aptamers to direct their binding to specific cell-surface receptors. However, there are few molecules more suited to the precise targeting and binding of a cellular receptor than antibodies. Here we describe a strategy for display of four different functional single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) on the surface of the MS2 VLP. Each scFv is validated both for its presence on the surface of the VLP and for its ability to bind its cognate antigen. This work demonstrates the suitability of the MS2 VLP platform to display genetically fused scFvs, allowing for many potential applications of these VLPs and paving the way for future work with libraries of scFvs displayed in a similar manner on the VLP surface. These libraries can then be biopanned and novel scFv binders to targets can be readily discovered.
Ester-to-amide rearrangement of ethanolamine-derived prodrugs of sobetirome with increased blood-brain barrier penetration

Current therapeutic options for treating demyelinating disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS) do not stimulate myelin repair, thus creating a clinical need for therapeutic agents that address axonal remyelination. Thyroid hormone is known to play an important role in promoting developmental myelination and repair, and CNS permeable thyromimetic agents could offer an increased therapeutic index compared to endogenous thyroid hormone. Sobetirome is a clinical stage thyromimetic that has been shown to have promising activity in preclinical models related to MS and X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD), a genetic disease that involves demyelination. Here we report a new series of sobetirome prodrugs containing ethanolamine-based promoieties that were found to undergo an intramolecular O,N acyl migration to form the pharmacologically relevant amide species. Several of these systemically administered prodrugs deliver more sobetirome to the brain compared to unmodified sobetirome. Pharmacokinetic properties of the parent drug sobetirome and amidoalcohol prodrug 3 are described and prodrug 3 was found to be more potent than sobetirome in target engagement in the brain from systemic dosing.
Real-time Noninvasive Monitoring of Intracranial Fluid Shifts During Dialysis Using Volumetric Integral Phase-Shift Spectroscopy (VIPS): A Proof-of-Concept Study

Cerebral edema, which is associated with increased intracranial fluid, is often a complication of many acute neurological conditions. There is currently no accepted method for real-time monitoring of intracranial fluid volume at the bedside. We evaluated a novel noninvasive technique called “Volumetric Integral Phase-shift Spectroscopy (VIPS)” for detecting intracranial fluid shifts during hemodialysis. Subjects receiving scheduled hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease and without a history of major neurological conditions were enrolled. VIPS monitoring was performed during hemodialysis. Serum osmolarity, electrolytes, and cognitive function with mini-mental state examination (MMSE) were assessed. Twenty-one monitoring sessions from 14 subjects (4 women), mean group age 50 (SD 12.6), were analyzed. The serum osmolarity decreased by a mean of 6.4 mOsm/L (SD 6.6) from pre- to post-dialysis and correlated with an increase in the VIPS edema index (E-Dex) of 9.7% (SD 12.9) (Pearson’s correlation r = 0.46, p = 0.037). Of the individual determinants of serum osmolarity, changes in serum sodium level correlated best with the VIPS edema index (Pearson’s correlation, r = 0.46, p = 0.034). MMSE scores did not change from pre- to post-dialysis. We detected an increase in the VIPS edema index during hemodialysis that correlated with decreased serum osmolarity, mainly reflected by changes in serum sodium suggesting shifts in intracranial fluids.
The Emma Problem

This chapter continues the discussion of Austen’s influence on Victorian fiction and the construction of the heroine. The chapter begins with a brief discussion of Elizabeth Gaskell’s Wives and Daughters and then considers how two Victorian novelists—Margaret Oliphant and Charlotte Yonge—engaged with the literary legacy of Austen’s Emma through the construction of their own heroines. In Miss Marjoribanks and The Clever Woman of the Family, Oliphant and Yonge draw on Austen’s Emma to experiment with different kinds of heroines and experiment with narrative modes and strategies for engaging their readers.
Epidemiology of Posterior Glenohumeral Instability in a Young Athletic Population

Background:While several studies have observed the incidence of posterior glenohumeral instability in selected populations, there are no data from large-scale population-based studies with correspo...
A peptide mimic of an antibody

Influenza virus is one of the largest public health concerns. There is no universal vaccine, and only a few small-molecule drugs are available for therapy and prevention of influenza virus infection. The surface of this virus has two major proteins: neuraminidase and hemagglutinin (HA). These proteins are targets for antivirals. Although antivirals such as oseltamivir exist that bind neuraminidase, a major reason that there is no small-molecule drug against HA is because most of its surface is highly variable, presenting a moving target for drug development. A major breakthrough in developing universal vaccines and broad therapies came almost a decade ago from the identification of a site of vulnerability on influenza HA revealed through analyses of human broadly neutralizing antibodies (antibodies that are able to bind and neutralize many different influenza subtypes) ( 1 ). On page 496 of this issue, Kadam et al. ( 2 ) present the design and iterative optimization of a cyclic peptide that targets the vulnerable site on HA. This is the first example of such a small peptidic molecule that can be viewed as an antibody surrogate.
Long-Term Survival in Bilateral Lung Transplantation for Scleroderma-Related Lung Disease.

Background Lung disease is the leading cause of morbidity and death in scleroderma patients, but scleroderma is often considered a contraindication to lung transplantation because of concerns for worse outcomes. We evaluated whether 5-year survival in scleroderma patients after lung transplantation differed from other patients with restrictive lung disease. Methods This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing bilateral lung transplantation for scleroderma-related pulmonary disease between January 2006 and December 2014. This cohort was compared with patients undergoing bilateral lung transplantation for nonscleroderma group D restrictive disease. Primary outcomes reported were 1-year and 5-year survival. Diagnoses were identified by United Network of Organ Sharing listing and were confirmed by clinical examination and prelisting workup. Results We compared 26 patients who underwent BLT for scleroderma and 155 patients who underwent BLT for group D restrictive disease. Overall, the nonscleroderma cohort was younger, with lower lung allocation score but no difference in functional status. Donor characteristics were not different between the cohorts. Survival at 1 year was not different (73.1% vs 80.0%, p = 0.323). Long-term survival at 5 years was also not significantly different (65.4% vs 66.5%, p = 0.608). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis found no differences in survival between scleroderma and nonscleroderma group D restrictive disease (hazard ratio, 2.19; p = 0.122). Conclusions Despite being at high risk for extrapulmonary complications, patients undergoing bilateral lung transplantation for scleroderma have similar 1-year and 5-year survival as those with restrictive lung disease. Transplantation is a reasonable treatment option for a carefully selected population of candidates.
Unique Dispositional Precursors to Early-Onset Conduct Problems and Criminal Offending in Adulthood.

Objective The aims of this study were to examine whether dispositional interpersonal callousness, negative emotionality, and hyperactivity/impulsivity uniquely influence the development of childhood-onset conduct problems and persistent criminal behavior in males, and to determine whether specific facets of negative emotionality (dysregulated anger versus anxiety) in childhood are differentially associated with the development of chronic antisocial behavior. Method Childhood dispositional features and conduct problems were assessed semiannually using parent- and teacher-report measures across 9 consecutive assessments in a school-based sample of 503 boys (∼7–11 years of age). Participants’ criminal behavior was assessed using official records from adolescence into the early 30s. Results Interpersonal callousness, dysregulated anger, and hyperactivity/impulsivity were uniquely associated with the development of childhood-onset conduct problems. None of these features significantly predicted official records of juvenile offending after controlling for co- occurring conduct problems. However, interpersonal callousness was robustly and uniquely associated with a pattern of persistent and violent adult offending that continued into the early 30s. In contrast, anxiety problems were inversely associated with criminal offending in adolescence and adulthood after controlling for conduct problems and the other dispositional factors. Conclusion Findings are consistent with theoretical models indicating that interpersonal callousness, dysregulated anger, and hyperactivity/impulsivity influence the development of childhood conduct problems. In contrast, anxiety problems in childhood tend to reduce the likelihood that boys will engage in later criminal offending. Results suggest that delinquency prevention programs should target children exhibiting features of interpersonal callousness, given that they are at high risk for engaging in chronic and violent offending in adulthood.
Adaptive Grids in Air Pollution Modeling: Towards an Operational Model

We developed an adaptive grid algorithm for use in AQMs. It employs a structured grid where the nodes move throughout the simulation. The movement is controlled by a weight function whose value depends on a linear combination of the errors in various pollutant concentrations. The algorithm generates a continuous, multiscale grid where the scales change gradually, and makes optimal use of computational resources at all times. So far, we evaluated the algorithm in idealized model problems involving dispersion of power plant plumes and chemical reactions. The results are much more accurate than those achieved by uniform fixed grid models that use the same computational resources. The adaptation criterion we used so far gives equal weight to the errors in the concentrations of different pollutant species. We are developing criteria that would be more sensitive to reaction pathways that are more important in the formation of specific secondary pollutants, such as ozone.
LETHAL LOGIC IN APOPTOSIS: TOXINS TRIGGER PROGRAMMED CELL DEATH DURING DISEASE IN EUKARYOTIC CELLS

Sphinganine analog mycotoxins trigger cell death in certain animal and plant cells by a process that is functionally analogous to apoptosis. The process of apoptosis is accepted among animal biologists as a genetically controlled form of programmed cell death that directs the selective elimination of cells following transduction of signals through multiple converging pathways. Functional elements of the process appear to be evolutionarily conserved in eukaryotes where they play essential roles during normal development. Conversely, inappropriate induction or suppression of cell death often is a key element in pathogenesis. Current information from our laboratory indicates that the triggering of cell death in plants by sphinganine analog mycotoxins involves a number of signals and genes that regulate apoptosis in animals. Our parallel studies with animal and plant cells responding to diverse stimuli that induce apoptosis suggest also that ceramide-linked second messengers may play an important role in both plant and animal cells undergoing programmed cell death.
Effect of surface bending and stress on the transmission of line force to an elastic substrate

For a broad class of soft materials their surface stress can strongly influence mechanical behaviour. For example, a line force applied to the surface of an elastic substrate is locally supported b...
Snap-25 is polarized to axons and abundant along the axolemma: an immunogold study of intact neurons.

SNAP-25, synaptosomal associated protein of 25 kDa, is reported to be a t-SNARE (target receptor associated with the presynaptic plasma membrane) involved in the docking and fusion of synaptic vesicles. We present here the first ultrastructural localization of SNAP-25 in intact neurons by pre-embedding EM immunocytochemistry in rat brains, hippocampal slice cultures, and PC12 cells. In differentiated neurons, SNAP-25 labeling was clearly membrane-associated. The labeling was most prominent in the plasma membrane of axons and excluded from the plasma membranes of soma and dendrites. Furthermore, SNAP-25 did not appear to be restricted to the synaptic junctions. SNAP-25 labeling was seen in the cytoplasm of the soma and large dendrites, mostly associated with the Golgi complexes. There were also some SNAP-25 labeled tubulo-vesicular structures in the cytoplasm of the soma and the axons, but rarely in the smaller dendrites. In PC12 cells, after 5–10 minutes of high potassium (75 mM) stimulation in the presence of HRP, SNAP-25 labeling appeared, additionally, on HRP-filled early endosomes. After a longer (20–30 minutes) HRP incubation, most of the later stage endosomes and lysosomes were loaded with HRP but they were negative for SNAP-25. These results suggest that SNAP-25 is sorted out of these late endosomal compartments, and that the bulk of the SNAP-25 protein is probably recycled back to the axolemma from the early endosomes. In contrast, in those samples which were incubated with HRP for longer periods, there were still some SNAP-25–positive vesicular structures which were HRP-negative. These structures most likely represent anterograde vesicles that carry newly synthesized SNAP-25 from the soma to the axolemma by axonal transport. SNAP-25 appears to be sorted at the Golgi complex to reach the axolemma specifically. Its widespread distribution all along the axolemma does not support the view of SNAP-25 as a t-SNARE limited for synaptic exocytosis.