cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 1356: NSMCE2 enables rescue of collapsed replication forks to prevent mitotic DNA damage

Background: Replication forks that are persistently blocked cannot restart, even after DNA damage is repaired. These forks are termed collapsed forks. In order to fully duplicate the genome, collapsed forks must be rescued by activation of nearby dormant origins of replication. Homologous recombination (HR) is essential in collapsed-fork rescue. Cells deficient in the SUMO E3 ligase NSMCE2 exhibit mitotic defects, are sensitive to DNA damaging agents, and have defects in HR. Thus, NSMCE2 regulates HR during replication stress, but the molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. In yeasts, hypomorphic NSMCE2 (MMS21) alleles accumulate HR intermediates during replication stress. We therefore hypothesized that NSMCE2 regulates RAD51 function during collapsed fork rescue. Results: It was previously shown that sumoylation of the BLM helicase results in recruitment of RAD51 to stalled forks. Consistent with data in yeast, we found that BLM sumolyation is dependent on NSMCE2. However, contrary to our expectation, we found that the amount of RAD51 protein that accumulated at collapsed forks was over two times greater in NSMCE2-deficient cells than in normal cells. In contrast, the levels of BLM, RPA, single-stranded DNA, and γH2AX at stalled forks is reduced by half. Consistent with the low levels of γH2AX, the double-strand breaks and sister chromatid exchanges that accumulate during collapsed fork rescue were also greatly diminished in NSMCE2-deficient cells. Thus, despite the over-accumulation of RAD51 to sites of collapsed replication forks, cells are unable to perform HR efficiently, indicating that RAD51 is unable to complete its function there. In NSMCE2-deficient cells, the hyper-accumulated RAD51 at collapsed forks persists into mitosis where excess under-replicated DNA causes mitotic DNA damage. Conclusions: The hyper-accumulation of RAD51 at stalled forks we observed in NSMCE2-deficient cells suggests that NSMCE2 is required for the remodeling of collapsed forks that normally leads to the rescue of collapsed forks, namely, the unloading of RAD51, DNA breakage, repair by HR, and completion of DNA synthesis. We suggest that the excess accumulation of RAD51 that is observed in a substantial number of cancers is not sufficient to demonstrate that the cells are HR proficient. The identification of NSMCE2 as a controller of HR-mediated fork rescue also highlights NSMCE29s potential as a new therapeutic target for combinatorial therapy of HR-dependent cancers. Citation Format: Kelvin W. Pond, Christelle DeRenty, Mary K. Yagle, Nathan Ellis. NSMCE2 enables rescue of collapsed replication forks to prevent mitotic DNA damage [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1356.
The Atmospheric Solitary Wave

Solitary waves have been observed in shallow water. In the present paper some evidence is presented for the existence of similar phenomena in the atmosphere. A possible mechanism for the formation of atmospheric solitary waves is described, and a case study is discussed in support of this mechanism. Some speculations are made about some possible effects of these disturbances on the local weather.
Good Samaritan Laws and Graduate Medical Education: A Tristate Survey.

Abstract Objective To assess the awareness of Good Samaritan laws among residents and fellows and the factors affecting the likelihood of a physician-in-training performing a Good Samaritan act. Participants and Methods A survey was distributed via official e-mail to Mayo Clinic residents and fellows at Mayo Clinic's 3 locations: Rochester, Minnesota; Scottsdale, Arizona; and Jacksonville, Florida. The survey was open from August 4 to 25, 2015, at the Arizona and Florida sites and from August 10 to 31, 2015, at the Minnesota site. Responses were collected anonymously and analyzed, using descriptive statistics and regression models. Results The survey was sent to 1591 trainees and 19.7% (313) responded. Nearly half the respondents (49%) experienced a medical emergency that required assistance by a medically trained person and reported that increased medicolegal knowledge would increase their likelihood of helping (47%). Almost all (93.6%) felt that awareness of the Good Samaritan laws was essential for a medical professional and reported a need for further education to increase their knowledge (89.3%). Conclusion Residents and fellows asked for education about Good Samaritan laws and suggested that such education may increase their likelihood of helping in medical emergencies.
Comorbid TBI-depression costs in veterans: a chronic effect of neurotrauma consortium (CENC) study.

ABSTRACTBackground: The U.S. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides depression treatment to veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). VHA costs of comorbid TBI-depression were estimated by Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) status over 14 years.Methods: VHA-USING veterans with TBI DIAGNOSED IN 2000–2010 were followed through FY2014. TBI severity was determined using the Department of Defense criteria. Depression was identified by the Elixhauser algorithm. Generalized linear and seemingly unrelated regression models were used to estimate the impact of depression on annual per veteran and total VHA inpatient, outpatient, and pharmaceutical costs, by OEF/OIF status.Results: A total of 66.57% of pre-OEF/OIF and 87.46% of OEF/OIF veterans had depression. Depression was estimated to increase annual total ($1,847), outpatient ($1,558), and pharmaceutical ($287) costs for pre-OEF/OIF, and $1,228, $1,685, and $191 for OEF/OIF veterans. However, depression was estimated to lower a...
Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) Influence on Forage Quantity and Quality in a Grazed Grassland-Shrubland Ecotone

Abstract Black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) have high dietary overlap with livestock, which can cause forage-centric conflicts between agriculture and conservation. Research suggests prairie dogs can enhance forage quality, but trade-offs between quality and quantity throughout the growing season remain unclear, as well as the degree to which increased forage quality is caused by altered species composition versus altered plant physiology. To assess the effects of prairie dog herbivory on forage in a northern mixed-grass prairie, we collected samples on prairie dog colonies and at sites without prairie dogs during June, July, and August 2016 - 2017 for forage quality, and August 2015 - 2017 for herbaceous biomass. To isolate mechanisms affecting forage quality, we collected both composite samples of all herbaceous species and samples of western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii [Rydb.] A. Love). Across years and plant sample types, crude protein, phosphorus, and fat were 12-44% greater and neutral detergent fiber was 6-10% lower on prairie dog colonies than at sites without prairie dogs. The effects of prairie dogs on forage quality persisted throughout the season for western wheatgrass samples (all treatment*time p-values ≥ 0.4). Across years, aboveground herbaceous biomass did not differ significantly between prairie dog colonies and sites without prairie dogs (on-colony: 933 ± 156 kg/ha, off-colony: 982 ± 117 kg/ha). The effects of prairie dogs on herbaceous biomass were significantly influenced by spring precipitation. In years with dry springs, herbaceous biomass was lower on colonies than sites without prairie dogs and this pattern was reversed in years with wet springs. Our results demonstrate season-long enhanced forage quality on prairie dog colonies, indicating that multiple mechanisms are shaping forage quality in this system, including altered species composition, phenological growth stage, and soil condition. Across years, enhanced forage quality may help to offset reductions in forage quantity for agricultural producers.
Reframing the lecture versus active learning debate: Suggestions for a new way forward

For nearly 1000 years, lecture has been the most frequently used teaching strategy in higher education. Over the past 20 years, there has been increasing pressure to stop lecturing and instead use more active and engaged teaching strategies. An unfortunate result of the attack on the lecture is that faculty members have resisted being told to completely abandon lecturing. This has critically slowed the adoption of more contemporary evidence-based teaching strategies that would likely have advanced student learning beyond where it is today. This article includes four key challenges regarding the “active learning versus lecture” debate. Issues presented address a better understanding of what is meant by “the lecture,” a better understanding of the empirical studies comparing active learning to lecturing, a challenge to the claim that students do not learn well from the lecture, and that the comparison of active learning to lecturing is not an appropriate comparison. The primary position of this paper is that the adoption of contemporary evidence-based strategies designed to advance student learning is much more likely to be accepted and adopted by faculty members if the “active learning versus lecture” position is reframed in favor of an integrated position of combining lecture strategies with more active and engaged learning strategies. This approach would also be more consistent with existing evidence on teaching for deep learning.
The Role of Mentoring on Hispanic Graduate Students’ Sense of Belonging and Academic Self-Efficacy:

This quantitative study examined the role of mentoring on 332 Hispanic graduate students’ sense of belonging and academic self-efficacy. The results found that mentored Hispanic graduate students r...
Anisotropic work function of elemental crystals

Abstract The work function is a fundamental electronic property of a solid that varies with the facets of a crystalline surface. It is a crucial parameter in spectroscopy as well as materials design, especially for technologies such as thermionic electron guns and Schottky barriers. In this work, we present the largest database of calculated work functions for elemental crystals to date. This database contains the anisotropic work functions of more than 100 polymorphs of about 72 elements and up to a maximum Miller index of two and three for non-cubic and cubic crystals, respectively. The database has been rigorously validated against previous experimental and computational data where available. We also propose a weighted work function based on the Wulff shape that can be compared to measurements from polycrystalline specimens, and show that this weighted work function can be modeled empirically using simple atomic parameters. Furthermore, for the first time, we were able to analyze simple bond breaking rules for metallic systems beyond a maximum Miller index of one, allowing for a more generalized investigation of work function anisotropy.
Deep structures seismic enhancement using singular spectral analysis in time and frequency domain: Application in the regional transect of Parnaíba basin - Brazil

Abstract The Parnaiba basin is located in the Northeast of Brazil and it started in the Archaean . In a project involving Global Geophysical Services Incorporated and BP Energy do Brasil, a 2D seismic data , 1400 km long and 20 s of two-way travel time was acquired. Because of the acquisition characteristics and large volume of data it was necessary to develop a powerful filtering flow, in order to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio , particularly for deep structures, such as the Moho Discontinuity . For that matter, we have used a two-step recursive-adaptive singular spectral analysis (RA-SSA) to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio. First, we applied the RA-SSA in the t-x domain, along the time variable, for every seismic trace, to attenuate uncorrelated noise, and to enhance the low frequency content of the data. Second, the data was moved to the f-x domain, by means of the Fourier Transform of every single trace, and the RI-SSA method was applied for every frequency, along the x variable, to enhance the correlation of the reflectors between neighboring seismic traces. The filtered results, shown on common offset and CMP gather and on stacked data, show how successful the method was in enhancing the reflectors. We introduce a processing flow capable of enhancing the final stacked image quality, in order to map the Moho Discontinuity and interpret the transect to obtain a better understanding of the Parnaiba basin formation .
Near infrared oximetry-guided artery-vein classification in optical coherence tomography angiography.

Differential artery–vein analysis is valuable for early detection of diabetic retinopathy and other eye diseases. As a new optical coherence tomography imaging modality, optical coherence tomograph...
Single-shot, multi-signature remote detection of uranium by filament-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Filament-induced breakdown spectroscopy (FIBS) is an attractive remote detection approach that is potentially applicable to nuclear materials such as uranium (U). Simultaneous detection of atomic U and U monoxide features is demonstrated in a single laser shot with detection probabilities of 52.2% and 39.0%, respectively, and with a 1% false-alarm probability. It is shown that a nearly 100% detection probability can be reached with 1% false-alarm probability in ≲1 second when using an 80 Hz laser and data acquisition system. Atomic U and uranium oxide (UO) signal features are identifiable in the remote measurement with comparable signal-to-background ratios, suggesting that, despite being broader than the U I emission line, the UO band is also suitable for remote detection of U by FIBS.
Opioid-related compartment syndrome and associated morbidity.

Abstract Introduction Opioid-related compartment syndrome (ORCS) is an understudied complication related to opioid overdose. We hypothesized that ORCS would be associated with worse clinical outcomes, including higher amputation rates, need for multiple surgical procedures, and rhabdomyolysis on admission, compared with nonopioid-related compartment syndrome (NORCS). Methods We used Current Procedural Terminology codes for fasciotomy as a proxy marker for cases of compartment syndrome treated at 1 health system from January 1, 2016, to December 21, 2018. We excluded patients younger than 18 years, those treated for exertional compartment syndrome, and those who underwent elective fasciotomies. Seventy-four patients met our inclusion criteria. Data reviewed included patient characteristics, cause of compartment syndrome, time until evaluation for compartment syndrome, peak creatinine kinase levels, number of surgical procedures required, duration of hospital stay, and postoperative inpatient morbidity and death. Patients were categorized as having ORCS (n = 8) or NORCS (n = 66). Alpha = .05. Results All cases of ORCS occurred in men. Opioid use was the third most common cause of compartment syndrome. Two patients underwent amputation, both in the ORCS group (p 8 h after immobilization in a dependent position. Conclusion Patients in the ORCS group had delayed presentations and significantly more morbidity compared with patients in the NORCS group.
Parallel multi-parameter study of PEI-functionalized gold nanoparticle synthesis for bio-medical applications: part 1—a critical assessment of methodology, properties, and stability

Cationic polyethyleneimine (PEI)-conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) that are chemically and physically stable under physiological conditions are an ideal candidate for certain bio-medical applications, in particular DNA transfection. However, the issue remains in reproducibly generating uniform stable species, which can cause the inadequate characterization of the resulting product under relevant conditions and timepoints. The principal objective of the present study was to develop an optimized and reproducible synthetic route for preparing stable PEI-conjugated AuNPs (Au-PEIs). To achieve this objective, a parallel multi-parametric approach involving a total of 96 reaction studies evaluated the importance of 6 key factors: PEI molar mass, PEI structure, molar ratio of PEI/Au, concentration of reaction mixtures, reaction temperature, and reaction time. Application of optimized conditions exhibited narrow size distributions with characteristic surface plasmon resonance absorption and positive surface charge. The optimized Au-PEI product generated by this study exhibits exceptional stability under a physiological isotonic medium (phosphate-buffered saline) over 48 h and shelf-life in ambient condition without any significant change or sedimentation for at least 6 months. Furthermore, the optimized Au-PEI product was highly reproducible. Contributions from individual factors were elucidated using a broad and orthogonal characterization suite examining size and size distribution, optical absorbance, morphological transformation (agglomeration/aggregation), surface functionalities, and stability. Overall, this comprehensive multi-parametric investigation, supported by thorough characterization and rigorous testing, provides a robust foundation for the nanomedicine research community to better synthesize nanomaterials for biomedical use.
Politics in the marketplace: work, gender, and citizenship in revolutionary France

The women who sold provisions in Paris’ markets are legendary figures. These Dames des Halles, earthy and outspoken, served as representatives of the French people for centuries. They were known fo...
Addressing alcohol's role in campus sexual assault: Prevention educator perspectives.

Objective: Alcohol use is implicated in 50 to 70% of campus sexual assaults (CSA). Despite research, practice, and policy guidance that campus prevention efforts should address alcohol’s ro...
Field Observations of Wind Waves in Upper Delaware Bay with Living Shorelines

Constructed oyster reefs (CORs) provide shore protections and habitats for fish and shellfish communities via wave energy attenuation. However, the processes and mechanism of CORs on wave attenuation remain unclear, thus limiting the effective assessment of CORs for shoreline protection. This paper presents results of a field investigation on wave characteristics and wave spectral variations along a shoreline with CORs in an estuary with a large tidal range as well as large wind waves and swell energy. Six pressure transducers were deployed from January 31 to April 2, 2018, in Gandy’s Beach, New Jersey, in upper Delaware Bay. CORs were constructed at the study site in 2016 as living shoreline structures after Hurricane Sandy. The data collected from the study site exhibits the wave variations and spectral characteristics over the span of 2 months, including four winter storms (i.e., nor’easters). The spatial variations of wave heights measured on both sides of CORs show a strong dependence on the ratio between the freeboard of CORs and the offshore wave heights. Due to the large tidal range (> 2 m), the crests of CORs remain submerged over 85% of the time. The submerged CORs only provide partial attenuation of wave energy. The wave environment in the estuary is complex, especially during nor’easters. For instance, winds with rapid changing fetches could lead to bi-modal wind seas. Due to the complex wave spectra, the bulk wave heights such as the significant wave heights cannot be adopted to adequately reveal the capacity of CORs to attenuate wave energy. Spectral analysis is conducted to investigate the spatial and temporal variations of wave energy in targeted frequency bins. The spectral analysis results reveal the energy transfer from the primary waves to the high harmonics after waves propagate over the submerged CORs. Moreover, it is found that swell energy originated from the Atlantic Ocean can penetrate CORs without any dampening even when CORs are emergent. This study could help resource managers for in-depth evaluation of living shoreline effectiveness and improvement of living shoreline structures such as CORs.
The Mexican American community college experience: Fostering resilience, achieving success

The educational trajectory for Latinos is certainly an important area of research that has received an increase of attention within compulsory and postsecondary educational research. In addition, t...
Impact of risk perception on household willingness-to-pay to restock the threatened staghorn coral

Abstract This study aims to examine whether individuals' attitudes toward the anthropogenic risks facing staghorn corals and coral reef ecosystems off the Southeast (SE) coast of Florida influence their valuation of coral reef ecosystem services and willingness to mitigate risks. We use preference data and psychometric measures characterizing the public's attitudes toward risk elicited through a stated preference survey and integrate them into alternative econometric valuation models to estimate willingness-to-pay (WTP) to restock and protect the threatened staghorn coral off the SE coast of Florida. The household WTP estimates for the restocking program, marine reserve and combined programs were $179.01, $96.60 and $275.61, respectively. Respondent WTP was strongly dependent on respondents' perception of the anthropogenic risks facing staghorn corals and coral reef ecosystems. Adjusting WTP for risk perception resulted in an average increase of 98% in perceived benefits from unadjusted WTP for the three hypothetical management programs examined. Factors found not to influence WTP include preference elicitation method, use of, and distance to, the resource in question. Coral reef management agencies may want to consider people's attitudes toward risk when designing their public education and engagement programs in support of coral reef restoration.
FP4S: Fragment-based Parallel State Recovery for Stateful Stream Applications

Streaming computations are by nature long-running. They run in highly dynamic distributed environments where many stream operators may leave or fail at the same time. Most of them are stateful, in which stream operators need to store and maintain large-sized state in memory, resulting in expensive time and space costs to recover them. The state-of-the-art stream processing systems offer failure recovery mainly through three approaches: replication recovery, checkpointing recovery, and DStream-based lineage recovery, which are either slow, resource-expensive or fail to handle many simultaneous failures.We present FP4S, a novel fragment-based parallel state recovery mechanism that can handle many simultaneous failures for a large number of concurrently running stream applications. The novelty of FP4S is that we organize all the application’s operators into a distributed hash table (DHT) based consistent ring to associate each operator with a unique set of neighbors. Then we divide each operator’s in-memory state into many fragments and periodically save them in each node’s neighbors, ensuring that different sets of available fragments can reconstruct lost state in parallel. This approach makes this failure recovery mechanism extremely scalable, and allows it to tolerate many simultaneous operator failures. We apply FP4S on Apache Storm and evaluate it using large-scale real-world experiments, which demonstrate its scalability, efficiency, and fast failure recovery features. When compared to the state-of-the-art solutions (Apache Storm), FP4S reduces 37.8% latency of state recovery and saves more than half of the hardware costs. It can scale to many simultaneous failures and successfully recover the states when up to 66.6% of states fail or get lost.
Understanding the role of Nanomorphology on Resistance Evolution in the Hybrid Form-Fuse Process for Conformal Electronics

Abstract Manufacturing conformal electrically conductive circuits on rigid freeform surfaces currently require compromises between process scalability, cost, and thermal tolerance and geometric complexity of the object material. The Form-Fuse process operates by printing silver nanoparticle interconnects on planar polymer sheets followed by sequential vacuum forming and Flash Light Sintering (FLS) and can overcome the above issues. We investigate the role of nanoparticle morphology on this process by using nanowires (NW) in combination with nanoflakes (NF) and nanospheres (NS) as the printed nanoparticles. The characterization of FLS temperature, electrical resistance, morphology, and optical absorption along with electromagnetic and molecular dynamics modeling yields the following insights. The forming-induced resistivity rise is greater for higher NS and NF content due to localized embedding of NWs into the polymer. This embedding also reduces blowoff defects during FLS to create an expanded defect-free FLS window. The resistance reduction due to FLS is also greater for the mixed NW-NF and NW-NS cases, thanks to the change in localized optical absorption and interparticle fusion kinetics upon the introduction of NFs and NSs into a NW ensemble. The change in fusion kinetics is driven by enhanced dislocation growth between nanoparticles, despite surface and grain boundary diffusion trends contrary to the neck growth trends. We show that Form-Fuse can achieve similar or lesser electrical resistivity than state-of-the-art conformal 3D printing while enabling greater scalability and structural material capability and retaining the capability to handle complex shapes. We discuss the impact of our findings on the nanoparticle material cost and capabilities of Form-Fuse compared to other conformal electronics manufacturing processes.
Modification of root bud growth in Canada thistle with selected plant growth regulators: effects on translocation of glyphosate

Root applications of 0.1 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 10.0 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) enhanced or inhibited, respectively, root bud growth in hydroponically grown Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.]. Translocation of14C-glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] into roots was positively correlated with this growth. Foliar applications of ethephon or chlorfluorenol also enhanced root bud growth, but glyphosate translocation was only weakly correlated with such growth in soil-grown Canada thistle. At glyphosate rates above 0.56 kg/ha, root bud growth was not stimulated by plant growth regulators (PGRs) and basipetal translocation was not enhanced. Paradoxically, ethephon and chlorflurenol restrained root bud growth in the field since thistle control steadily improved during the 3 years following treatment.
A 24-38 GHz CMOS Wideband Frequency Quadrupler for Multi-Band Applications

A wideband frequency quadrupler with 45% conversion gain bandwidth is designed and fabricated in 65nm CMOS for advanced multi-band applications. By cascading two frequency doublers and an inter-stage matching amplifier with a Marchand balun, the quadrupler features 24 to 38 GHz bandwidth with a minimum of 0 dBm output power. The chip area is 0.6 mm2 and the power consumption is 56-71 mW.
Repositioned Drugs for COVID-19-the Impact on Multiple Organs.

This review summarizes published findings of the beneficial and harmful effects on the heart, lungs, immune system, kidney, liver, and central nervous system of 47 drugs that have been proposed to treat COVID-19. Many of the repurposed drugs were chosen for their benefits to the pulmonary system, as well as immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects. However, these drugs have mixed effects on the heart, liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Drug treatments are critical in the fight against COVID-19, along with vaccines and public health protocols. Drug treatments are particularly needed as variants of the SARS-Cov-2 virus emerge with some mutations that could diminish the efficacy of the vaccines. Patients with comorbidities are more likely to require hospitalization and greater interventions. The combination of treating severe COVID-19 symptoms in the presence of comorbidities underscores the importance of understanding the effects of potential COVID-19 treatments on other organs.
Adjunctive Therapies to Optimize Closed-loop Glucose Control:

Closed-loop insulin delivery systems are fast becoming the standard of care in the management of type 1 diabetes and have led to significant improvements in diabetes management. Nevertheless, there...
DRL-Based Channel and Latency Aware Scheduling and Resource Allocation for Multi-User Millimeter-Wave RAN

A DRL-based uplink resource allocation algorithm with channel condition and latency awareness is demonstrated for multi-user RAN. The algorithm is verified experimentally with dynamic RoF-mmWave channels, achieving 19% reward improvement compared to conventional scheduling schemes.
A Systematic Review of Retractions in the Field of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia.

Objectives No systematic studies on retractions in cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia exist. The aim of this analysis was to identify characteristics and trends of retractions in this field over the past three decades. Design A search of the Retraction Watch Database for retracted articles published between 1990 and 2020 in the field of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia was performed. Setting : A bibliometric study. Participants Five thousand three hundred forty-four retractions with the term “medicine” in the subject code were selected. Retractions of full-length English articles reporting findings in cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia were included. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results A total of 63 articles published in 31 journals from January 1990 to August 2020 were retracted. The majority were original articles (n = 60, 95.2%) and retracted for scientific misconduct (n = 50, 79.4%). The percentage of retractions due to misconduct increased from 2010, with a spike in 2011 (n = 26/50, 52.0%), and reached a plateau in 2014. The three most common reasons for retraction were misconduct by the author (n = 31, 49.2%), duplication (n = 12, 19.0%), and errors within the manuscript (n = 11, 17.5%). The median time from publication to retraction was 4.3 years (IQR: 1.7-9.4) and decreased significantly over time (p Conclusion Scientific misconduct represents the most common reason for retraction in cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia. The median time to retraction and journal IF decreased significantly over time. While this is promising, future efforts should be made to screen for falsified data and standardize the processes after retraction to highlight problematic manuscripts.
Athermal, Chemically Triggered Release of RNA from Thioester Nucleic Acids

An athermal approach to mRNA enrichment from total RNA using a self-immolative thioester linked nucleic acids (TENA) is described. Oligo(thymine) (oT) TENA has a six-atom spacing between bases which allowed TENA to selectively base-pair with polyadenine RNA. As a result of the neutral backbone of TENA and the hydrophobicity of the octanethiol end group, oT TENA is water insoluble and efficiently pulled down 93±2 % of EGFP mRNA at a concentration of 10 ng μL-1 . Self-immolative degradation of TENA upon ambient temperature exposure to nucleophilic buffer components (Tris, DTT) allowed recovery of 55±27 ng of mRNA from 3.1 μg of total RNA, which was not statistically different from the amount recovered using Dynabeads® mRNA DIRECT Kit (89±24 ng). Gene expression as measured by RT-qPCR was comparable for both enrichment methods, suggesting that the mild conditions required for enrichment of mRNA using oT TENA are compatible with RT-qPCR and other downstream molecular biology applications.
Continental Upheaval and Subsidence

The facts of the northern drift imply a country greatly more elevated during the accumulation of the material than the present height of the continent—The phenomenon of rock scratching referable only to the agency of glaciers—Examples given where this agency alone could produce them—Variation in direction of glacial action accounted for—The abruptness of the southern brows of hills, and the rupture of syenitic rocks into horizontal sheets, due to glacial action—Facts connected with the grounding of icebergs adverse to the iceberg theory—Beds of fossil mollusks show no drift ice at the time when the animals existed—The orderly distribution of boulders unfavorable to the iceberg theory—River denudation not due to the action of icebergs—River beds once filled with water—Contrast of arctic and antarctic glacier areas—The arctic islands continental and recently out of the sea—North Greenland rising—The North American continent undergoing a similar movement—Europe and Asia subjected to the same process—The north Pacific free of islands, suggests a sunken continent there—Continental movements of upheaval and subsidence regular and therefore under same great law.
More about normal data

The most common application of CUSUMs is controlling the mean of a stream of process data modeled by the normal distribution. The last two chapters illustrated the CUSUM for the mean of normal data; this chapter gives more detail. We look at extensions to the basic method, covering Fast Initial Response CUSUMs, CUSUMs for variance shifts, weighted CUSUMs, and combined Shewhart/CUSUM charting. We also examine the effects of model departures on CUSUM schemes. We begin with a closer look at the mechanics of determining ARLs.
Adenosine deaminase: Alterations in activity and isozymes during growth of normal and genetically deficient fibroblasts

Abstract Adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity was examined in cultured human fibroblasts derived from normal subjects, from a child with ADA deficiency and from two obligate heterozygotes. In all three types of fibroblasts, ADA activity was found to be lowest shortly after passage, a time characterized by rapid increase in cell number and low cell density. In contrast, ADA activity increased in the three cell types approx. 3-fold at late confluency, a period characterized by slow increase in cell number and high cell density. Concomitant with these alterations, the enzyme activity shifted from the low molecular weight isozyme, which exhibits greater anodal mobility on electrophoresis, to the high molecular weight, more slowly migrating isozyme. Reflecting these variations in enzyme activity during cultures, fibroblasts from obligate heterozygotes under these conditions of culture could not be reliably distinguished from those derived from normal subjects.
Studies in the ancient Jewish Mediterranean Diaspora

This chapter reviews John M. G. Barclay's Jews in the Mediterranean Diaspora: From Alexander to Trajan. This volume, originally published in hardcover in 1996, is the first comprehensive survey of the Jews in the Mediterranean Diaspora from Alexander to Trajan and is distinguished by the fact that it combines a study of the political, social, and cultural history of Jewish communities in five geographical areas - Egypt, Cyrenaica, Syria, Asia Minor, and Rome - where we have sufficient information to warrant more detailed analysis. What is particularly novel is an attempt to examine the various levels of assimilation of the Jews in these areas. Barclay is especially to be commended for examining afresh in the original the whole range of Diaspora Jewish literature. Barclay asserts that the five areas that he has chosen will prove to be sufficiently diverse and will indicate how variable were the experiences and responses of Diaspora Jews.Keywords: Alexander; cultural history; Jewish literature; Jews; Jews in the Mediterranean Diaspora: From Alexander to Trajan; John M. G. Barclay; Mediterranean Diaspora; studies; Trajan
Specific activation of in vitro cholesterol biosynthesis by preincubation of rat liver homogenates.

Abstract Preincubation of a 10,000 x g supernatant from rat liver for 20 min at 37° increased the subsequent incorporation of [14C]acetate into cholesterol by 8- to 20-fold. Cholesterol synthesis from [14C]citrate was comparably activated. Optimal activation occurred at 0.6 to 1.2 mm magnesium; no activation was observed at 6.0 mm Mg2+. The activated rate of cholesterol synthesis from acetate (10 to 25 nmoles per g wet weight per hour) was higher than that previously reported for rat liver homogenates. Optimal activation of cholesterol biosynthesis from [14C]-acetate was also obtained when isolated microsomes and cytosol were preincubated and assayed together. Much lower activation was seen when these fractions were preincubated separately and recombined for assay. Activation of cholesterol biosynthesis was not seen with [14C]mevalonate as substrate. Conversion of [14C]acetate to both fatty acids and CO2 was tripled by preincubation, while conversion to acetoacetate was unaffected. The data suggest that this activation is specific for those enzymes of cholesterol biosynthesis which convert acetyl-CoA to mevalonate and may reflect the reversal in vitro of a physiological control on cholesterol biosynthesis.
The Ends of Innocence: Age as a Mode of Inquiry in Sociolegal Studies

This article considers two recent books in the history of childhood, youth, and the law: Holly Brewer, By Birth or Consent and Stephen Robertson, Crimes Against Children. It argues that these works mark the emergence of age as a category of analysis in sociolegal studies. It calls for further investigations in the legal history of childhood and youth, outlines several areas of interest, and suggests that attention to age will alter how scholars look at the law by complicating key concepts such as innocence, authority, and citizenship. Studies of age and the law could benefit from cross-cultural and transnational approaches.
LIM factor Lhx3 contributes to the specification of motor neuron and interneuron identity through cell-type-specific protein-protein interactions

LIM homeodomain codes regulate the development of many cell types, though it is poorly understood how these factors control gene expression in a cell-specific manner. Lhx3 is involved in the generation of two adjacent, but distinct, cell types for locomotion, motor neurons and V2 interneurons. Using in vivo function and protein interaction assays, we found that Lhx3 binds directly to the LIM cofactor NLI to trigger V2 interneuron differentiation. In motor neurons, however, Isl1 is available to compete for binding to NLI, displacing Lhx3 to a high-affinity binding site on the C-terminal region of Isl1 and thereby transforming Lhx3 from an interneuron-promoting factor to a motor neuron-promoting factor. This switching mechanism enables specific LIM complexes to form in each cell type and ensures that neuronal fates are tightly segregated.
The African American Heart Failure Trial: A Clinical Trial Update

Progressive vascular and myocardial remodeling in heart failure is effectively slowed by therapy with neurohormonal antagonists, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, aldosterone antagonists, and adrenergic-receptor blockers. These therapies, along with the correction of hemodynamic abnormalities, have dramatically reduced morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure. Endothelial dysfunction, increased oxidative stress, and decreased bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) also occur in heart failure. Data suggest that endothelial dysfunction and reduced NO bioavailability may be more prevalent in populations who self-identify as African Americans. Thus, differences observed in the African American population with respect to prevalence of heart failure, etiology, outcomes, and response to medication may in part be explained by differences in the relative contributions of neurohormonal activation and diminished NO bioavailability to the progression of heart failure. The African American Heart Failure Trial (A-HeFT) was designed to assess the benefit of fixed-dose combination isosorbide dinitrate-hydralazine (ISDN-HYD) in an African American population with advanced heart failure. The A-HeFT enrolled 1,050 African American patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III-IV heart failure with dilated ventricles and low ejection fractions. Patients were randomized to receive either a fixed-dose combination of ISDN-HYD or placebo added to standard neurohormonal blockade. The primary end point was a composite score in which mortality, hospitalization, and quality of life were weighted. On July 19, 2004, the independent Data Safety Monitoring Committee recommended early termination of the trial because of a significant mortality benefit in the cohort receiving fixed-dose ISDN-HYD. The A-HeFT confirms the benefit of fixed-dose ISDN-HYD, which may enhance NO bioavailability in African American patients with NYHA class III-IV heart failure and suggests that NO-enhancing therapy is an effective new treatment strategy for heart failure. In addition, the A-HeFT affirms the critical importance of the inclusion of population subgroups in clinical trials both as a way to probe for pathophysiologic mechanisms of disease and to devise optimal treatment strategies. The rich and unique A-HeFT database will provide new opportunities to understand the pathophysiology and management of heart failure.
SU-C-134-04: Accuracy of Material Decomposition Calculations by Gemstone Spectral Imaging

Purpose: To measure energy‐specific CT number and effective Z accuracy for a variety of simulated tissues and to measure iodine concentration accuracy, using Gemstone Spectral Imaging (GSI). Methods: We used a GE CT 750HD scanner and CIRS electron density phantom; the phantom is solid water with inserts simulating lung, bone, and soft tissues and has a syringe insert for iodine solutions. We used the GE GSI‐49 protocol to scan and the GSI Viewer software to calculate effective Z, iodine concentration, and CT number between 40 and 140 keV. CIRS provided the mass density, true effective Z, and elemental composition of each phantom material and true CT numbers at matching energies were calculated using XCOM. Results: The deviations between measured and calculated CT numbers varied from ‐ 610 HU (dense bone at 40 keV) to almost 0 HU (liver at 100 keV). For most materials the greatest divergence occurred at 40 keV and decreased with increasing energy to a stable error at 80 or 90 keV. The dense bone and lung had the greatest deviation, which did not stabilize until 130 or 140 keV. The calculated effective Z was accurate for trabecular bone and muscle, but with errors of approximately 10% for dense bone, breast, liver, and adipose tissue (GSI cannot measure Z for lung). Iodine concentrations were accurate within 10% for 38 mgI/cc and lower concentrations. Conclusion: Our results show large inaccuracies in CT number for dense bone and lessened accuracy for most materials at energies less than 80 keV, but the RMS error is reduced by a factor of 2 – 4 when using 80+ keV data only. The effective Z of each material was within approximately 10%. Iodine concentration accuracy was within 10% for the lower concentrations. Altogether, clinical applications requiring 1–5% accuracy may not be feasible.
Bilateral Clinical Pathology of the Temporal Bone

Objectives/Hypothesis: The aim of this study is to indicate anatomic and immunologic peculiarities of the temporal bone which leave it vulnerable to traumatic, infectious and neoplastic insult. Study Design: Seven patients' cases are described in which the clinical pathology of the temporal bone was bilateral. The bilaterality of these cases serves to illustrate the anatomic points which are the focus of this study. Methods: This is a case series. Results: The seven paradigmatic cases are described and the relevant anatomy is explored. These are bilateral tuberculosis of the middle ear and mastoid, bilateral histiocytosis X, bilateral external canal amyloidosis, bilateral middle ear polyposis in Samter's triad, bilateral temporal bone fractures, bilateral middle cranial fossa encephaloceles, and bilateral congenital enlarged superior vestibular nerve canals. The thinness of the skull base, the many fluid-filled and tissue-filled canals which enter the temporal bone and the thinness of the tissues investing all the surfaces contribute to the temporal bone's vulnerability to trauma, infection and neoplasm. Conclusion: Cases of bilateral temporal bone pathology demonstrate the temporal bone's structural and immunologic weaknesses.
Wave–Mean Flow Interaction in the Storm-Time Thermosphere: A Two-Dimensional Model Simulation

Abstract A two-dimensional pole-to-pole numerical model with background solstitial winds has been used to study the global dynamical response of the thermosphere to high-latitude energy inputs associated with a model geomagnetic storm. This model storm has four distinct pulses of heat input over a 12-h period. The thermospheric wave response to the sustained part of the storm heat input consists in the establishment of a global meridional circulation that is initiated in about 3 to 4 hours after storm commencement and never quite reaches steady state in the simulation. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the interaction between the disturbances and the mean meridional flow associated with the storm. It is shown that this interaction can be represented in terms of an induced circulation. This induced circulation is forced by the transient nature of the eddy flux convergences (divergences) of heat and momentum. The equivalent temperature changes due to the induced circulation are one-third to o...
A decomposition of time scales for iterative computation of time-optimal controls

An iterative procedure, exploiting the multiple time scale properties of systems with slow and fast modes, is presented. This procedure solves the time-optimal problem for higher-order systems iteratively via the solutions of simple second-order problems. Computational complexity is so reduced that fourth-order problems can be solved using a microprocessor or programmable calculator.
A perspective on how the Vitamin D sterol/Vitamin D receptor (VDR) conformational ensemble model can potentially be used to understand the structure–function results of A-ring modified Vitamin D sterols

The steroid hormone 1alpha,25(OH)(2)-Vitamin D(3) (1,25D) activates both genomic and non-genomic intracellular signaling cascades. It is also well recognized that co-incubation of 1,25D with its C-1 epimer, 1beta,25D (HL), suppresses the efficiency of the non-genomic signal activated by 1,25D alone and that its C-3 epimer, 3alpha-1,25D (HJ) is nearly as potent as 1,25D in suppressing PTH secretion, believed to be propagated by 1,25D's genomic signaling. Both these sterols lack the hypercalcemic effect induced by pharmacological doses of 1,25D and have reduced VDR affinity compared to 1,25D, as measured in a steroid competition assay. Recent functional studies suggest that the VDR is required for both non-genomic and genomic signaling. Along these lines we have recently proposed a Vitamin D sterol/VDR conformational ensemble model that posits the VDR contains two distinct, yet overlapping ligand binding sites, and that the potential differential stabilities of 1,25D and HL in these two pockets can be used to explain their different non-genomic signaling properties. The overlapping region is predominantly occupied by the sterol's A-ring when it is bound to either the genomic ligand binding pocket (G-pocket), defined by X-ray crystallography, or the alternative ligand binding pocket (A-pocket), discovered using in silico techniques (directed docking). Therefore, to gain further insight into the potential application of this model we docked the other A-ring diastereomer [(1beta,3alpha)=HH] of 1,25D and its 1- and 3-deoxy forms (25D and CF, respectively) to the A- and G-pockets to assess their potential stabilities in the pockets, relative to 1,25D. The models were then used to provide putative mechanistic arguments for their known structure-function experimental results. This model may provide new insights into how Vitamin D sterols that uncouple the unwanted hypercalcemic effect from attractive growth inhibitory/differentiation properties can do so by differentially stabilizing different subpopulations of VDR conformational ensemble members.