cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
End-stage renal disease after kidney donation: a single-center experience.

Abstract Purpose Although the risk of kidney donation has been determined in many studies to be low with respect to morbidity and mortality, it is important to keep in mind that patients are put at some risk when they donate an organ for transplantation. The reported incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among kidney donors ranges from 0.2% to 0.5% with varying follow-up times. Herein, we have reported four living kidney donors at our institution who progressed to ESRD. Materials and Methods We reviewed registry data and medical records of patients who underwent donor nephrectomy at our institution between October 1, 1959, and June 30, 2005, particularly cases who developed ESRD. Results Between October, 1959, and the end of June, 2005, 3591 kidney transplants were performed at our center including 1195 of the organs (33%) from living donors, whose mean age was 41.9 years. Four kidney donors (0.33%) developed ESRD. Their mean age at donation was 31 years; the mean age at ESRD development was 46.5 years. All four patients donated to siblings with renal failure. Two of the four (50%) had another first-degree relative who subsequently developed renal failure. Two of the four (50%) smoked tobacco subsequent to donor surgery, and one (25%) was obese. Conclusions Progression to ESRD is rare among living renal donors. Kidney donation is safe when strict eligibility criteria are met. There may be an increased risk for progression to ESRD among donors with a family history of renal disease.
Longitudinal Associations among Discordant Sexual Orientation Dimensions and Hazardous Drinking in a Cohort of Sexual Minority Women

We examined differences between sexual minority women’s (SMW’s) sexual identity and sexual behavior or sexual attraction as potential contributors to hazardous drinking across a 10-year period. Data are from a longitudinal study examining drinking and drinking-related problems in a diverse, community-based sample of self-identified SMW (Wave 1: n = 447; Wave 2: n = 384; Wave 3: n = 354). Longitudinal cross-lagged models showed that SMW who report higher levels of identity-behavior or identity-attraction discordance may be at greater risk of concurrent and subsequent hazardous drinking. Results of multigroup models suggest that sexual orientation discordance is a more potent risk factor for risky drinking outcomes among SMW in older adulthood than in younger adulthood. Findings support that discordance between sexual orientation dimensions may contribute to hazardous drinking among SMW and provide evidence that cognitive-behavioral consistency is important for individuals expressing diverse and fluid sexual identities, attraction, and behavior.
A biochemical analysis of cartilage proteoglycan in the avian mutant micromelia‐abbott

Embryos homozygous for the recessive lethal gene, micromelia-Abbott, develop a severe form of micromelia, a parrot-like beak, and hemorrhagic skin. Feather development is also retarded. The reduction in length of the long bones of the leg can be traced to their cartilaginous stage Quantitative analysis of sulfated proteoglycan (PGS), a major macromolecular component of cartilage matrix, reveals that mutant tibiae, femora, and sterna contain significantly less uronic acid per μg of DNA than normal rudiments, indicating reduced accumulation of PGS in the mutant. Incorporation of radioactive precursors into cartilage PGS is severely reduced in relatively early developmental stages of a particular organ, but this reduction becomes less severe in cartilage taken from the same rudiment at a later developmental stage. Analysis of the sedimentation rate of PGS in sucrose gradients reveals no difference between normal and mutant in all cartilaginous types at all ages. These results suggest that the quantity and not the quality of PGS is affected in this mutant. The observation that the addition of para-nitrophenyl-β-D-xyloside to the culture medium can stimulate glycosaminoglycan synthesis to normal levels is interpreted to mean that the reduced levels of PGS may be the result of a reduced availability of the xylosylated protein backbone for PGS.
Anthrax Toxin as a Molecular Tool for Stimulation of Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes: Disulfide-Linked Epitopes, Multiple Injections, and Role of CD4+ Cells

We have previously demonstrated that anthrax toxin-derived proteins, protective antigen (PA) and the amino-terminal portion of lethal factor (LFn), can be used in combination to deliver heterologous molecules to the cytosol of mammalian cells. In this study we examined the ability of an LFn-peptide disulfide-linked heterodimer to prime cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in the presence of PA. A mutant of LFn that contains a carboxy-terminal reactive cysteine was generated. This form of LFn could be oxidized with a synthetic cysteine containing peptide to form a heterodimer of the protein and peptide. Mice injected with the heterodimer plus PA mounted a peptide-specific CTL response, indicating that this molecule functioned similarly to the genetically fused forms used previously. We also report the results of an analysis of two aspects of this system important for the development of experimental vaccines. First, CD4 knockout mice were unable to generate a CTL response when treated with PA plus an LFn-epitope fusion protein, suggesting that CD4+ helper responses are essential for stimulating specific CTL with the PA-LFn system. Second, we now show that primary injection with this system does not generate any detectable antibody response to the vaccine components and that prior immunization has no effect on priming a CTL response to an unrelated epitope upon subsequent injection.
Localization and Assembly of the Novel Exosporium Protein BetA of Bacillus anthracis

The exosporium of Bacillus anthracis is comprised of two distinct layers: a basal layer and a hair-like nap that covers the basal layer. The hair-like nap contains the glycoproteins BclA and, most likely, BclB. BclA and BclB are directed to assemble into the exosporium by motifs in their N-terminal domains. Here, we identify a previously uncharacterized putative gene encoding this motif, which we have named betA (Bacillus exosporium-targeted protein of B. anthracis). Like bclA, betA encodes a putative collagenlike repeat region. betA is present in several genomes of exosporium-producing Bacillus species but, so far, not in any others. Using fluorescence microscopic localization of a BetA-enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) fusion protein and immunofluorescence microscopy with anti-BetA antibodies, we showed that BetA resides in the exosporium basal layer, likely underneath BclA. BetA assembles at the spore surface at around hour 5 of sporulation and under the control of BxpB, similar to the control of deposition of BclA. We suggest a model in which BclA and BetA are incorporated into the exosporium by a mechanism that depends on their similar N termini. These data suggest that BetA is a member of a growing family of exosporium proteins that assemble under the control of targeting sequences in their N termini.
Different Age-Specific Demographic Profiles Are Generated in the Same Normal-Lived Drosophila Strain by Different Longevity Stimuli

We review the empirical data obtained with our normal-lived Ra control strain of Drosophila and show that this one genome is capable of invoking at least three different responses to external stimuli that induce the animal to express one of three different extended longevity phenotypes, each of which arises from one of three different antagonistic molecular mechanisms of stress resistance. The phenotypes are distinguished by different age-specific mortality patterns. Depending on the selected mechanism, the genome may respond by expressing a delayed onset of senescence (type 1), an increased early survival (type 2), or an increased late survival (type 3) phenotype, suggesting their different demographic effects. We suggest that the different demographic effects stem in part from the differential ability of each selection regime to reallocate the organism's energy from reproduction to somatic maintenance. These data document the complexity of the aging process and argue for a relationship between molecular mechanisms and longevity phenotypes.
Hold the patty, not the lettuce: processing foods for over a quarter century in the Nurses' Health Study.

Nearly a century ago, Anichkov’s keen experimental observations linking dietary cholesterol to accelerated atherosclerosis spawned an era of investigation assessing macronutrient intake in the development and progression of coronary heart disease (CHD).1 To this end, epidemiological studies identified total fat, saturated fatty acid, and trans fatty acid (TFA) intake as positively correlated with CHD risk,2 whereas intake of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids was inversely correlated.3 Article see p 876 The epidemiological data are consistent with experimental studies supporting a mechanistic basis for these effects. Among these are acceleration of thrombus formation,4 downregulation of low-density lipoprotein receptor activity,5 impairment of high-density lipoprotein functionality6 and endothelial vasoreactivity,7 and modulation of proinflammatory signaling pathways after exposure to saturated fatty acid or TFA.8 Although the “definitive” diet-heart trial has yet to be undertaken,9 randomized clinical trial data in the aggregate have not been inconsistent with epidemiological studies; the most harmful dietary influences include TFA intake and a high glycemic load, whereas monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and certain complex carbohydrates appear to confer cardioprotection.10 In this issue of Circulation ,11 an updated analysis from the long-standing Nurses’ Health Study provides additional insight into diet and CHD risk in women by departing from traditional dietary measures of fat and carbohydrate exposure. Rather, dietary protein sources were selected, because interchanging 1 protein for another would seemingly be easier to achieve in prescribing heart-healthy substitutions than more traditional and cumbersome methods that include calorie counting and isocaloric exchanges between fat and complex carbohydrates. …
Transport to Late Endosomes Is Required for Efficient Reovirus Infection

ABSTRACT Rab GTPases play an essential role in vesicular transport by coordinating the movement of various types of cargo from one cellular compartment to another. Individual Rab GTPases are distributed to specific organelles and thus serve as markers for discrete types of endocytic vesicles. Mammalian reovirus binds to cell surface glycans and junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A) and enters cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis in a process dependent on β1 integrin. Within organelles of the endocytic compartment, reovirus undergoes stepwise disassembly catalyzed by cathepsin proteases, which allows the disassembly intermediate to penetrate endosomal membranes and release the transcriptionally active viral core into the cytoplasm. The pathway used by reovirus to traverse the endocytic compartment is largely unknown. In this study, we found that reovirus particles traffic through early, late, and recycling endosomes during cell entry. After attachment to the cell surface, reovirus particles and JAM-A codistribute into each of these compartments. Transfection of cells with constitutively active and dominant-negative Rab GTPases that affect early and late endosome biogenesis and maturation influenced reovirus infectivity. In contrast, reovirus infectivity was not altered in cells expressing mutant Rab GTPases that affect recycling endosomes. Thus, reovirus virions localize to early, late, and recycling endosomes during entry into host cells, but only those that traverse early and late endosomes yield a productive infection.
Coincidence of Bladder and Prostate Cancer

ABSTRACTPurpose: Diagnostic bias can be a problem when determining the coincidence of prostate and bladder cancer. The objective of this study was to calculate the coincidence of bladder and prostate cancer after correcting for diagnostic bias.Materials and Methods: The cancer registry at 1 medical institution provided the number of patients diagnosed with prostate or bladder cancer between 1989 and 1994. The expected incidences of bladder and prostate cancer were calculated using 1987 to 1991 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results data. Diagnostic bias was determined by reviewing the charts of all patients with both types of cancer.Results: Of 100 patients with a diagnosis of bladder cancer 25 (25%) also had prostate cancer and 25 of 651 (3.8%) with prostate cancer also had bladder cancer. Diagnostic bias was involved in diagnosing bladder cancer in 3 of 25 patients and prostate cancer in 7 of 25. When these patients are eliminated from the incidence data, the rate of prostate cancer in those with bl...
Phylogenetics of the plant genera Dracaena and Pleomele (Asparagaceae)

This research focuses on the biodiversity and the evolutionary history of the world-wide medicinal plant genus, Dracaena , and the plant genus Pleomele . The debate concerning the relationship between Dracaena and Pleomele has continued till date - some botanists continue to include Pleomele within Dracaena but others claimed to separate the two genera. Dracaena is a genus comprising of about 40-100 species world wide, mainly in tropics and subtropics, with the exception of America. Pleomele is a genus that has been circumscribed consisting of 10-50 species in Asia. Till date, its center of biodiversity is unknown. Pleomele is only classified well in Hawaii, but confused with Dracaena in the other parts of Asia. Phylogenetic relationship among the 33 taxa within the Dracaena and Pleomele were reconstructed. DNA sequences from the chloroplast DNA intergenic spacer, trnL-trnF and trnH-psbA were analyzed. A phylogeny was reconstructed using neighbor-joining, maximum parsimony in PAUP*, and likelihood criteria in RAxML, and Bayesian inference in MrBayes. The phylogeny with Agave missionum and Agave attenuata as outgroup taxa indicates that Pleomele is mixed with Dracaena . This study provides the first phylogenetic reconstruction with taxonomic sampling of the Dracaena and Pleomele to resolve their questionable placement. The relationships of the climate change adaptation, biogeography, and conservation with the two plant genera will be further discussed in this study. Some suggestions for the benefits of the biodiversity and natural resource conservation in Himalaya regions will be addressed. One significant contribution of this research will be in promoting molecular taxonomy to solve problems in systematics especially in cases when the classification is in debate. Key-words: Phylogeny; chloroplast DNA; Asparagaceae; Dracaena ; Pleomele . DOI: 10.3126/botor.v7i0.4385 Botanica Orientalis – Journal of Plant Science (2010) 7: 64-72
Object detection using contrast based scale-space

The authors propose four scale-space object detection algorithms for separating objects from the background. These algorithms do not need thresholding at any of the scales. The different algorithms are applicable to images with different noise and clutter characteristics. Statistical analysis of the four algorithms is conducted for noisy and cluttered backgrounds. >
The Subsurface Crack Under Conditions of Slip and Stick Caused by a Surface Normal Force

On donne la solution pour le champ de contraintes elastiques dans un demi-plan contenant une fissure plane parallele a la surface et soumise a une pression normale uniforme et a une charge normale concentree. Le glissement de Coulomb peut exister entre les faces de la fissure
Development of a body protection orthosis by using silicon outer fence mold actuator

We investigate a new type of element to realize a body protection orthosis with human compatibility. The element is a flexible actuator (silicon outer fence of mold actuator) and its structure is a soft mechanism that a sponge rubber is covered with silicon rubber. In order to develop the orthosis, basic characteristics of the element are cleared through some experiments. At first, we explain about the elements to realize a body protection with human compatibility. Next, the rebound characteristics of the element are investigated. Furthermore, we clarify the characteristics of the impact force with respect to each sponge material. Finally, the impact force characteristics with respect to pressure in the sponge chamber are cleared from some experimental results.
Rossian totalism about intrinsic value

This paper defends a novel account of how to determine the intrinsic value of possible worlds. Section 1 argues that a highly intuitive and widely accepted account leads to undesirable consequences. Section 2 takes the first of two steps towards a novel account by clarifying and defending a view about value-contribution that is based on some of W. D. Ross’ claims about the value of pleasure. Section 3 takes the second step by clarifying and defending a view about value-suppression that is based on Ross’ claims about the interplay between prima-facie duties. Section 4 states and defends the account that I call Rossian Totalism. According to this account, the atoms of intrinsic value within a world only sometimes contribute their intrinsic value to the value of that world.
Conditions for Consent to the Use of Neurotechnology: A Preparatory Neuroethical Approach to Risk Assessment and Reduction

New developments in deep brain stimulation (DBS) enable both open- and closed-loop modulation of brain structures and functions that are important to the clinical treatment of a number of neuropsyc...
Bradykinin-mediated activation of renal sensory neurons due to prostaglandin-dependent release of substance P

In anesthetized rats, renal pelvic administration of bradykinin results in a prostaglandin (PG)-dependent increase in afferent renal nerve activity (ARNA). We now measured renal pelvic release of PGE and substance P during renal pelvic administration of bradykinin. Bradykinin increased ARNA and renal pelvic release of PGE by 497 +/- 252 pg/min and substance P. by 10.7 +/- 7.2 pg/min. Renal pelvic perfusion with indomethacin abolished the bradykinin-mediated increase in ARNA and reduced renal pelvic release of PGE and substance P by 76 +/- 11 and 72 +/- 8%, respectively. To examine whether the increased substance P release contributed to bradykinin-mediated activation of renal sensory receptors, renal pelvis was perfused with the substance P-receptor antagonists CP-96,345, CP-99,994, or RP-67580. The ARNA response to bradykinin was reduced 73 +/- 11, 55 +/- 12, and 64 +/- 10% by CP-96,345, CP-99,994, and RP-67580, respectively. The inactive enantiomers CP-96,344 and RP-68651 had no effect. These data suggest that bradykinin increases renal pelvic release of PGE, which facilitates the release of substance P, which in turn stimulates substance P receptors. Thus the ARNA response to bradykinin is largely mediated by activation of substance P receptors.
Use of benzodiazepines in a coronary care unit.

Abstract House officers often, but not routinely, prescribed benzodiazepines for the 50 patients with suspected or documented myocardial infarction (Ml) in this study. Of the 33 patients receiving these agents, 24 did so on a fixed-dosage basis and nine on a pm basis. Over four fifths of the fixed-dosage benzodiazepines were actually administered. However, pm orders were infrequently implemented (only 16% of the total prescribed amount), and rarely served the purpose of providing sedation or adequately relieving excessive anxiety. Possible reasons for this undermedication are discussed. We recommend that when acute coronary patients require a benzodiazepine, fixeddosage schedules be utilized.
Resistance to Affirmative Action: Self-Interest or Racism?

Despite the decade-long debate in the media and in the social science literature over affirmative action programs, relatively little information has appeared about attitudes toward these programs. In this article racial threat or self-interest, new symbolic racism, and old-fashioned racism are examined as predictors of attitudes about affirmative action programs. The data are from a national survey conducted in the late fall of 1978 by Louis Harris and Associates for the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Self-interest, new symbolic racism, and old-fashioned racism are all found to be related to attitudes about affirmative action programs and remain so when a variety of control variables are included in the regression analyses. The new racism scale was clearly the best predictor of attitudes about affirmative action programs but is shown to have many underpinnings from traditional sources of racism. Possible reasons for the effect of self-interest on attitudes about affirmative action programs th...
Социальная Политика На Периферийных Территориях Актуальные Проблемы (Social Policy in the Provinces. Urgent Issues)

Russian Abstract: В работе рассмотрены проблемы предоставления социальных услуг в местах, которые можно отнести к «российской глубинке», а именно на периферийных территориях, для которых характерны интенсивные процессы депопуляции. Отток населения, деградация человеческого капитала, старение кадров в социальной сфере — все эти процессы требуют особого подхода к организации предоставления социальных услуг. На федеральном уровне эти особенности часто не учитываются, что ставит жесткие барьеры на пути оптимизации социальных расходов подобных территорий. Доклад основан на полевых исследованиях периферийных территорий в Томской, Вологодской, Костромской областях и Пермском крае.English Abstract: This papers deals with the issues related to the service provision in the regions which can be called as "Russia's depth", in the provinces which are plagued by depopulation. Outflow of the population, degradation of human capital, ageing of social sphere staff: all these issues require special approach to the organization of social services provision. At the federal level these features often are not taken into consideration which put rigid barriers for the optimization of social expenditure in such territories. This paper is based on field research of such provinces asTomsk, Vologda, Kostroma regions and Perm Krai.
Research on detection of pesticide residues in food by solid phase extraction-gas chromatography method

Objective: To seek the best examination method for the detection of pesticide residues in food.Methods: Solid phase extraction was used for pretreatment of pesticide residue detection and GC was adopted to determine the 24 kinds of pesticide residues,which were requested by national food contamination monitoring.Results: The mixed standard solution composed by 19 kinds of pesticides was added into samples of vegetables and fruits for accuracy test with 3 levels of 0.005 mg/L~0.05 mg/L,0.05 mg/L~0.5 mg/L and 0.1 mg/L~1.0 mg/L.The spiked recovery of the method was between 70%~104% with the coefficient of variation under 15%.The detection limit was in the range of 0.0001 mg/kg~0.005 mg/kg.Conclusion: Solid phase extraction-gas chromatography is available for the detection of pesticide residues in food with its satisfied accuracy and recovery.
Integrating droop and Direct Current Vector Control for control of parallel inverters in islanded microgrid

One of the most important challenges associated with the droop control of parallel inverters in a microgrid is reactive power sharing between parallel units1. This paper proposes to integrate Direct Current Vector Control (DCVC) method2 with the droop control method to overcome this challenge. Another issue in droop control of parallel inverters in islanding mode is voltage level drop associated with reactive power sharing3. This paper uses DCVC controlled units to maintain voltage level of the microgrid by injecting needed reactive power determined automatically from the proposed control method. Parallel inverter units with loads in microgrid islanding mode are simulated using Matlab/Simulik and Opal-RT real-time simulation system and results show the effectiveness and excellent performance of combining DCVC and droop methods.
Impact of Phonon Surface Scattering on Thermal Energy Distribution of Si and SiGe Nanowires

Thermal transport in nanostructures has attracted considerable attention in the last decade but the precise effects of surfaces on heat conduction have remained unclear due to a limited accuracy in the treatment of phonon surface scattering phenomena. Here, we investigate the impact of phonon-surface scattering on the distribution of thermal energy across phonon wavelengths and mean free paths in Si and SiGe nanowires. We present a rigorous and accurate description of phonon scattering at surfaces and predict and analyse nanowire heat spectra for different diameters and surface conditions. We show that the decrease in the diameter and increased roughness and correlation lengths makes the heat phonon spectra significantly shift towards short wavelengths and mean free paths. We also investigate the emergence of phonon confinement effects for small diameter nanowires and different surface scattering properties. Computed results for bulk materials show excellent agreement with recent experimentally-based approaches that reconstruct the mean-free-path heat spectra. Our phonon surface scattering model allows for an accurate theoretical extraction of heat spectra in nanowires and contributes to elucidate the development of critical phonon transport modes such as phonon confinement and coherent interference effects.
Effect of Organic Contaminations on Yield and Food Safety of Rice

Taking rice line Ha04-34 as tested material,the effect of organic contaminations on rice growth was explored by potted trail in climate cabinate.The results showed that organic contaminations could decline yield of rice,but effect of different organic contaminations on constitutes of yield was different.The effect of nitrobenzene was:grains number per ear,seed setting rate and panicles number per hill were declining.The sequence of effect of chlorobenzene on constitutes of yield was as follows:panicles number per hillgrains number per earseed setting rate.Along with increasing concentration of naphthaline,panicles number per hill and grains number per ear were decline,but there was not effect on seed setting rate.It had not overstepping testing standard that the detected residue of each organic contaminations in seed and plant only the rice could to maturity.
The importance of biopsy sampling practices in the pathologic evaluation of gastrointestinal disorders.

Purpose of review To summarize the literature regarding appropriate endoscopic sampling and surveillance protocols for common inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract. Gastroenterologists increasingly use endoscopy with mucosal biopsy to detect inflammatory diseases, assess response to therapy, and monitor for progression to dysplasia. Recent findings Many diseases show a patchy distribution in the digestive tract and there may be poor correlation between the endoscopic appearance and presence of histologic abnormalities. Indeed, a clinician's ability to render a diagnosis is limited by endoscopic mucosal sampling. The appropriate number of tissue samples and required biopsy sites are not established for many gastrointestinal disorders, and adherence to guidelines may not yield a reliable diagnosis in all cases. Summary We discuss the evidence supporting current recommendations and emerging endoscopic techniques for the evaluation of eosinophilic esophagitis, Barrett esophagus, chronic gastritis, celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Cellular Biochemical Activities and Induction of Synchronous Growth in a Unicellular Aerobic Nitrogen-Fixing Cyanobacterium, Synechococcus Sp. Strain Miami BG 043511

Synchronous culture techniques have been used as a useful tool in the study of the cellular, biochemical, physiological and cytological events changing during a cell cycle. Previously, synchronous growth of the aerobic nitrogen-fixing Synechococcus spp. strains Miami 043511 and 043522 was induced by dark/light treatment (1). Using these synchronous cultures of aerobic nitrogen-fixing strains, cyclic and segregated appearances of cellular activities during a cell cycle have been demonstrated (2–4). As for the conditions for inducing synchronous growth, it was reported that the degree of synchrony under the nitrogen-fixing condition was affected by the length and frequency of various light/dark pretreatment periods (5,6). This paper reports the importance of the length of the inserted light period during the light and dark preconditioning period for the establishment of the synchronized culture under continuous illumination.
Memoirs: On the Morphology of the Compound Eyes of Arthropods

In studying the structure of the ommatidium of the compound eye of Serolis it has been found that it may be reduced to a simple ectodermic invagination of the skin. Extending my researches over several other Arthropods, of which Talorchestia, Cambarus, Homarus, and Callinectes were mentioned in the preceding pages, the same interpretation of the ommatidium may be applied without exception. This view of the ommatidium finds its strongest support in the fact that in Limulus the ommatidium is an open pit of the skin. By supposing that the ommatidial pit of Limulus became deeper, and that this was accompanied by modifications in the structure and arrangement of the component cells, we can show the probability of our first supposition that the ommatidium of the compound eye of an Arthropod is an independent invagination of the skin. If this view is correct, the unit of the compound eye of an Arthropod is not, after all, so complex a structure as has been supposed by some; and the enormous increase in the number of ommatidia in a given area of the skin which results in the formation of the compound finds its parallel in the well-known method of the formation of the morphological organs, viz. the duplication of a simple unit.
Factors associated with postpartum follow-up and persistent hypertension among women with severe preeclampsia.

Factors associated with postpartum follow-up and persistent hypertension among women with severe preeclampsia
Differences in the relationship between depression and self-rated life satisfaction in older Korean and Chinese immigrants

ABSTRACTThis study aims to examine self-rated life satisfaction and describe its relationship with depression and socioeconomic status among older Chinese and Korean immigrants. A cross-sectional study of 175 older Chinese immigrants and 205 older Korean immigrants was conducted in Los Angeles County. The study found that depression was negatively associated with self-rated life satisfaction for both the Chinese and Korean groups. For older Chinese immigrants, depression was the only significant factor related to self-rated life satisfaction. However, for older Korean immigrants, age, education, and depression were significantly associated with self-rated life satisfaction. This study suggests empirical strategies to reduce depression among these populations, such as the importance of culturally-tailored programs.
Cleaved Kininogen Inhibits Endothelial Progenitor Cell Differentiation by Interfering with the avb3 Integrin-MMP-2 Pathway.

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are involved in repairing damaged vasculature and in tumor angiogenesis, thus promoting wide interest in their therapeutic potential in ischemic diseases and cancer. Cleaved high molecular weight kininogen (HKa) potently inhibits endothelial cell (EC) functions including in vivo angiogenesis. We have shown that HKa inhibits differentiation of ECs. We now test a new hypothesis that HKa can inhibit EPC differentiation by blocking matrix metalloprotease-2 (MMP-2) activation. EPCs were isolated from human blood and cultured on collagen type I-coated surface. As detected by flow cytometry and Western-blot, they expressed MMP-2 and membrane-type 1-MMP (MT1-MMP), avb3 integrin, uPAR and caveolin-1, but did not express monocyte markers such as HLA-DR and CD14. A clone-forming assay using retroviral infection indicated that an early single EPC exhibited colony forming property, but mature ECs such as human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) did not. Upon stimulation by VEGF, EPCs, but not HUVECs, formed vacuoles and differentiated into capillary networks. Gene silencing of either MT1-MMP or MMP-2 by siRNA completely blocked the vacuole and tube formation by EPCs, suggesting that MT1-MMP and MMP-2 are both essential for differentiation of EPCs. HKa inhibited tube formation by EPCs, as well as the conversion of pro-MMP-2 to MMP-2 as a functioning concentration in the conditioned medium. CS-1 cells expressing endogenous av subunit were transfected with human b3 cDNA. We found that HKa inhibition of MMP-2 activation in these cells is dependent on avb3 heterodimer. The binding of avb3 integrin to MMP-2 was via RGD-dependent and RGD-independent mechanisms, both of which, however, were completely blocked by HKa. Further, we found that HKa inhibited the association of MMP-2 with immunoprecipitated avb3 integrin, and prevented MMP-2 localization in caveolae in EPCs. Since HKa inhibited VEGF-stimulated proliferation of EPCs but not HUVECs on collagen-coated surface, we postulate that EPCs are more sensitive than mature ECs to HKa inhibition. Thus, HKa targets EPCs and inhibits their differentiation via blocking avb3 integrin and MMP-2 interaction. These observations provide novel insight into understanding the interactions between the kallikrein-kinin system and biologic functions of EPCs.
Gross Moist Stability Analysis: Assessment of Satellite-Based Products in the GMS Plane

AbstractNew diagnostic applications of the gross moist stability (GMS) are proposed with demonstrations using satellite-based data. The plane of the divergence of column moist static energy (MSE) against the divergence of column dry static energy (DSE), referred to as the GMS plane here, is utilized. In this plane, one can determine whether the convection is in the amplifying phase or in the decaying phase; if a data point lies below (above) a critical line in the GMS plane, the convection is in the amplifying (decaying) phase. The GMS plane behaves as a phase plane in which each convective life cycle can be viewed as an orbiting fluctuation around the critical line, and this property is robust even on the MJO time scale. This phase-plane behavior indicates that values of the GMS can qualitatively predict the subsequent convective evolution. This study demonstrates that GMS analyses possess two different aspects: time-dependent and quasi-time-independent aspects. Transitions of time-dependent GMS can be v...
Electronic and Optical Properties of Energetic Particle-Irradiated In-rich InGaN

We have carried out a systematic study of the effects of irradiation on the electronic and optical properties of InGaN alloys over the entire composition range. High energy electrons, protons, and {sup 4}He{sup +} were used to produce displacement damage doses (D{sub d}) spanning over five orders of magnitude. The free electron concentrations in InN and In-rich InGaN increase with D{sub d} and finally saturate after a sufficiently high D{sub d}. The saturation of carrier density is attributed to the formation of native donors and the Fermi level pinning at the Fermi Stabilization Energy (E{sub FS}), as predicted by the amphoteric native defect model. Electrochemical capacitance-voltage (ECV) measurements reveal a surface electron accumulation whose concentration is determined by pinning at E{sub FS}.
Abdominal Wall Anatomy

The anatomy of the abdominal wall including the groin is clinically relevant and must be understood in order to plan and perform operations with quality outcomes and minimal morbidity. This chapter details the layers of the abdominal wall and groin, discusses clinically relevant anatomy, and mentions physiology germane to abdominal wall function. The chapter highlights several aspects of anatomy and physiology that are important to consider when planning an incision, operation, or managing postoperative complications of the abdominal wall and groin.
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Based Panel Analysis of Metabolic Pathways

Metabolic disorders are usually indicated by the presence of abnormal levels or absence of certain metabolite(s) due to defects in genes involved in common metabolic pathways that may consist of a series of reactions and other related reactions. One example is methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) due to defects in the conversion of methylmalonylCoA to succinylCoA, which requires a mutase and a cofactor; the adenosylcobalamin (adoCbl). Vitamin B12 is an inactive form of cobalamin that goes through at least eight steps of the cobalamin metabolic pathway to convert to its active form of AdoCbl. Thus, an NGS based comprehensive panel for MMA should include all these genes. There are hundreds of known disorders of metabolic pathways. In this chapter, we will describe the general approach to NGS based panel analysis, the design and gene selection of panels. We will provide a few examples. The advantages of deep coverage NGS panels over whole exome sequencing are also discussed.
Large-Format Geiger-Mode Avalanche Photodiode Arrays and Readout Circuits

Over the past 20 years, we have developed arrays of custom-fabricated silicon and InP Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode arrays, CMOS readout circuits to digitally count or time stamp single-photon detection events, and techniques to integrate these two components to make back-illuminated solid-state image sensors for lidar, optical communications, and passive imaging. Starting with 4 × 4 arrays, we have recently demonstrated 256 × 256 arrays, and are working to scale to megapixel-class imagers. In this paper, we review this progress and discuss key technical challenges to scaling to large format.
Prevalence and correlates of sleep-related problems in adults receiving medical cannabis for chronic pain.

Abstract Purpose To examine the prevalence and correlates of sleep problems in a sample of medical cannabis patients. Procedures Adults ages 21 and older (N = 801, M age = 45.8) who were seeking medical cannabis certification (either for the first time or as a renewal) for chronic pain at medical cannabis clinics in southern Michigan completed baseline measures of cannabis use, sleep, pain, and other related constructs. Findings Over half of the sample (59%) met criteria for past 1-month sleep disturbance, defined as at least one sleep problem occurring on 15 or more nights in the past month. Most participants (86%) reported that sleep problems were due to their current pain. Approximately 80% of participants reported using cannabis in the past 6 months to improve sleep and, among these participants, cannabis was rated as helpful for improving sleep. Sleep-related cannabis side effects were rare (35%), but sleep-related cannabis withdrawal symptoms were relatively common (65%). Statistically significant correlates of past 1-month sleep disturbance included a) being female, b) being white, c) being on disability, d) not having a medical cannabis card, and e) frequency of using cannabis to help sleep. Conclusions Sleep problems are highly prevalent and frequent in medical cannabis patients and are closely tied to pain. Sleep-related cannabis withdrawal symptoms are relatively common but their clinical relevance is unknown. The association between frequency of cannabis use to help sleep with higher odds of sleep problems will need to be clarified by longitudinal studies.
Understanding of how older adults with low vision obtain, process, and understand health information and services.

Introduction: Twenty-five years after the Americans with Disabilities Act, there has still been a lack of advancement of accessibility in healthcare for people with visual impairments, particularly...
Using EZproxy and Google Analytics to Evaluate Electronic Serials Usage

ABSTRACTThe purpose of the study is to evaluate electronic usage statistics for Belk Library at Elon University. The Electronic Resources Office (ERO) collects usage data for all serials—both print and electronic—, ebooks, and electronic databases. This study used ezPAARSE and Google Analytics to analyze the data from our website, and we will use these data to compare our vendor statistics to get a more complete picture of how the library's electronic resources are being used.
Executive functions are associated with weight loss during participation in a medically supervised weight loss program

Abstract Executive dysfunction is common in obesity and has significant implications for weight loss treatment. Twenty-four patients completed a measure of executive functions before participating in a medically supervised weight loss program. Working memory, emotional control, and initiation were associated with 8-week weight loss. Executive function assessment may be used as a predictor of weight loss outcomes.
Evidence-Based Guidelines: Tympanostomy Tube Insertion and Adenotonsillectomy

Myringotomy with tympanostomy tube placement and tonsillectomy (with or without adenoidectomy) are two of the most common procedures performed in the pediatric population. Indications for these surgical treatments are for correspondingly prevalent conditions affecting children, including middle ear and adenotonsillar disease, which are treated by many specialty groups spanning family physicians, pediatricians, emergency care physicians, and otolaryngologists. Despite the common nature of these diseases and respective indicated surgeries, their management has in the past had limited evidence-based guidelines. This article consolidates the most up-to-date evidence from the otolaryngology, pediatric, and infectious disease literature to guide the management with tympanostomy tube insertion and adenotonsillectomy in the pediatric population.
Code Generation Overview

The task of the data inferencing pass is to determine, to as great an extent as possible, the type, rank, and shape of the results that will be produced by each function represented in the parse tree. Once this information has been gathered, it is the task of the code generator to translate the parse tree into an equivalent program in the target language (in this case, the language C) that will, when executed, produce the desired results.
The Modular Function and Geometric Properties of Quasiconformal Mappings

We recall the familiar notations $$ e_1 = \wp \left( {\frac{{\omega _1 }} {2}} \right),\,e_2 = \wp \left( {\frac{{\omega _2 }} {2}} \right),\,e_3 = \wp \left( {\frac{{\omega _1 + \omega _2 }} {2}} \right) $$ associated with Weierstrass’ γ-function. The period ratio τ = ω 2/ω 1 is always assumed to have positive imaginary part.
Case studies of model-predictive control in pulp and paper production

Abstract A case study of model-based predictive control of an evaporation process in a kraft pulp mill is presented. Two cases are considered. In the first, the process is represented by a linear model with two manipulated and two output variables. The control objectives are formulated as a quadratic programming (QP) problem, i.e., minimization of a quadratic objective with linear inequality constraints on the manipulated variables. This approach is tested on the full-scale process and its performance is compared with that of PI control. The QP method meets the objectives of the plant operators and in general performs better than the PI controller. It was also found to be easier to tune once a model of the process had been determined. In the second case the scope of the model is expanded to include additional up- and down-stream process elements. The control objective is reformulated to include constraints on both manipulated and output variables. Simulation is used to demonstrate the potential of this broader approach to the problem.
Parameterized expertise: Evidence for gradations of musical expertise from electroencephalographic monitoring of auditory decision-making

A musician9s nervous system is thought to specialize to their mode of music production. For instance, the pianist9s control of hands and arms develops to facilitate greater dexterity at the keyboard, while the cellist develops control to play notes using both the fret board and/or bow. Our previous work, employing an anomalous musical event (AME) detection task, identified neural and behavioral correlates that differentiated between a specific class of musicians, cellists, and those without professional musical training and expertise. Here we investigate a fine-grain differentiation between musicians having different modes of musical production, specifically in terms of how these differences are manifested in the neural correlates identified in the AME task. We show, using electroencephalography (EEG), that both event related potentials (ERPs) and single-trial analysis of the EEG can grade musical expertise by mode of sound production. Important is that these fine-grained EEG correlates are observable absent any motor response or active music production by the individuals. We find evidence that these grades of expertise are mediated by different sensory-motor interactions emblematic of the sound production mode. More broadly, our results show that neural markers can both define types of musical expertise and decompose their source components when behavioral differences are either minute or indistinguishable.
Lessons from History

Resilience has a lengthy history of practice and implementation for events of extreme consequence and high uncertainty. One of the clearest cases of embryonic resilience thinking includes Medieval Venice, which was forced to grapple with the recurring threat of plague that threatened to destroy the fabric of European society and cripple the juggernaut of Venetian maritime trade (Linkov et al. 2014a, b, c, d, e; Lane 1973). This early resilience thinking did not fully inoculate Venetian society from the ravages of disease—on the contrary, limitations of medical knowledge and border control allowed for outbreaks throughout the early modern era—yet it did allow Venetian policymakers to begin to address the question of how to combat deadly disease. The cumulative successes in reducing disease incidence and spread throughout the city and its dependent settlements eventually brought policymakers to embrace resilience thinking for other unrelated projects ranging from climate change to land reclamation efforts—all centered on the idea of strengthening Venetian social, economic, and cultural capabilities in the midst of an uncertain future (Vergano and Nunes 2007; Linkov et al. 2014a, b, c, d, e). This all goes to show that while resilience thinking and resilience analysis are growing buzzwords in the early twenty-first century, their roots go back centuries before even the printing press or functional medicine.
SSR2: Sparse signal recovery for single-image super-resolution on faces with extreme low resolutions

Abstract Automatic face recognition in the wild still suffers from low-quality, low resolution, noisy, and occluded input images that can severely impact identification accuracy. In this paper, we present a novel technique to enhance the quality of such extreme low-resolution face images beyond the current state of the art. We model the correlation between high and low resolution faces in a multi-resolution pyramid and show that we can recover the original structure of an un-seen extreme low-resolution face image. By exploiting domain knowledge of the structure of the input signal and using sparse recovery optimization algorithms, we can recover a consistent sparse representation of the extreme low-resolution signal. The proposed super-resolution method is robust to noise and face alignment, and can handle extreme low-resolution faces up to 16x magnification factor with just 7 pixels between the eyes. Moreover, the formulation of the proposed algorithm allows for simultaneous occlusion removal capability, a desirable property that other super-resolution algorithms do not possess, to the best of our knowledge. Most importantly, we show that our method generalizes on real-world low-quality surveillance images, showing the potentially big impact this can have in a real-world scenario.