cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implications of Sarcopenia in Major Surgery

Background: Sarcopenia, defined as a decrease in skeletal muscle mass and strength, is an important risk factor in clinical medicine associated with frailty, mortality, and worse surgical and nonsurgical outcomes. Conventional measures of sarcopenia rely on the subjective “eyeball test” and do not adequately describe risk. Computed tomography (CT) imaging studies may be used to objectively measure sarcopenia and may be used for surgical risk stratification and identification of patients for inclusion in a novel clinical remediation program. Methods: We describe results observed in the general, vascular, and liver transplant surgery populations determined by analytic morphomics—an analysis of CT scans in a semiautomated process using MATLAB v13.0. A perioperative optimization program has been implemented with the objective of remediating sarcopenia through improvement of patient mental and physical status prior to surgery. Results: Using analytic morphomics, we have noted significantly higher cost and incr...
Case Misclassification in Studies of Spinal Manipulation and Arterial Dissection

Background: Spinal manipulation has been associated with cervical arterial dissection and stroke but a causal relationship has been questioned by population-based studies. Earlier studies identified cases using International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes specific to anatomic stroke location rather than stroke etiology. We hypothesize that case misclassification occurred in these previous studies and an underestimation of the strength of the association. We also predicted that case misclassification would differ by patient age. Methods: We identified cases in the Veterans Health Administration database using the same strategy as the prior studies. The electronic medical record was then screened for the word ‘‘dissection.’’ The presence of atraumatic dissection was determined by medical record review by a neurologist. Results: Of 3690 patients found by ICD-9 codes over a 30-month period, 414 (11.2%) had confirmed cervical artery dissection with a positive predictive value of 10.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 9.6%-11.5%). The positive predictive value was higher in patients less than 45 years of age vs 45 years of age or older (41% vs 9%, P , .001). We reanalyzed a previous study, which reported no association between spinal manipulation and cervical artery dissection (odds ratio [OR] 5 1.12, 95% CI .77-1.63) and recalculated an odds ratio of 2.15 (95% CI .98-4.69). For patients less than 45 years of age, the OR was 6.91 (95% CI 2.5913.74). Conclusions: Prior studies grossly misclassified cases of cervical dissection and mistakenly dismissed a causal association with manipulation. Our study indicates that the OR for spinal manipulation exposure in cervical artery dissection is
Chip pad migration is a key component to high performance MCM design

As Multichip Modules (MCMs) evolve from niche solutions to necessary ingredients of high performance computing systems, this change must be reflected in the associated CAD tools for MCM system design. Given the transmission velocities of modern thin film substrates, conventional design techniques where chips are developed in isolation from the substrate fall short of producing optimal solutions. Critical to the success of these tools is the ability to influence chip pad placement. Our research indicates that an integrated chip/MCM codesign environment should be established. MCM CAD tools must provide advice for and accommodate an interactive pad migration facility, where chip designers are provided recommended signal pad locations that contribute to the optimization of the overall system.
The comparative potency of mercurial diuretics using human bio-assay techniques.

Abstract 1. 1. The factors influencing the response to a mercurial diuretic have been studied in a patient without congestive heart failure under metabolically controlled conditions. The responses of the excretion rate of sodium, chloride, and water and the change in weight are distinctly dependent upon dietary sodium. The response to a single diuretic agent, diglucomethoxane (Mersoben), is also distinctly dependent on dose. 2. 2. By use of the analysis of variance, the computation of potency estimation, with its fiducial limits for each response observed, is possible. Statistical efficiency is improved when the potency estimation is calculated from the responses in sodium (or chloride) excretion rather than from the responses in weight change. 3. 3. Thus, in order to evaluate satisfactorily the comparative potency of the various diuretic agents, the patients must receive an identical sodium content diet and have the same water load (they need not be in congestive failure), and the observations should include the excretion of sodium (or chloride). 4. 4. The potency estimations of the various drugs when related to meralluride (Mercuhydrin) as the standard drug, using sodium as the function tested, were as follows: parenteral chlormerodrin (Neohydrin), 3.3; diglucomethoxane (Mersoben), 1.3; mercaptomerin (Thiomerin), 0.6; and oral chlormerodrin (Neohydrin), 0.5.
SOS Island Edge Profiles Following Oxidation

A study of silicon and oxide profiles at the edges of silicon islands etched in silicon-on-sapphire (SOS) has shown that, following thermal oxidation of the silicon, a " V"- shaped groove forms between the silicon dioxide grown on the island edge and the sapphire substrate. This groove can cause etching and metal coverage anomalies at the island edges resulting in poor circuit yield and reliability.
Using Artificial Selection to Understand Plastic Plant Phenotypes

The plasticity of any given trait, which has a genetic basis and which may or may not be adaptive, can intensify or attenuate evolved responses, and can itself evolve in response to selection depending on the scale of spatial or temporal heterogeneity. To investigate the complex function and evolution of plastic traits, an appealing yet challenging approach is assessing responses to artificial selection. Here, I review how artificial selection has been employed to explore four botanical research themes: (1) relationships between plastic and evolved responses to multiple stresses, (2) integration of cellular, leaf-level, and whole-plant responses to altered CO(2) concentrations, (3) photomorphogenic and photoperiodic development, both mediated by phytochrome photoreceptors, and (4) the evolution of the pest-induced myrosinase-glucosinolate system in cruciferous plants. These diverse topics are unified not only because they have been studied using artificial selection experiments, but also because they have considered variability in multiple traits affected by multiple factors in the external environment. Limitations of such research include a dearth of long-term studies; a surprising but often logistically necessary omission of control or replicate lines; and numerous issues relating to assessing impacts of inbreeding and drift. In addition to discussing options for circumventing such limitations, I draw attention to strategies for integrating the results of artificial selection studies with progress in functional and evolutionary genomics.
Learning functions using randomized genetic code-like transformations: probabilistic properties and experimentations

Inductive learning of nonlinear functions plays an important role in constructing predictive models and classifiers from data. We explore a novel randomized approach to construct linear representations of nonlinear functions proposed elsewhere [H. Kargupta (2001)], [H. Kargupta et al., (2002)]. This approach makes use of randomized codebooks, called the genetic code-like transformations (GCTs) for constructing an approximately linear representation of a nonlinear target function. We first derive some of the results presented elsewhere [H. Kargupta et al., (2002)] in a more general context. Next, it investigates different probabilistic and limit properties of GCTs. It also presents several experimental results to demonstrate the potential of this approach.
N-MYC Downstream-Regulated Gene 1 Is Mutated In Hereditary Motor And Sensory Neuropathy-LOM

Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies, to which Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease belongs, are a common cause of disability in adulthood. Growing awareness that axonal loss, rather than demyelination per se, is responsible for the neurological deficit in demyelinating CMT disease has focused research on the mechanisms of early development, cell differentiation, and cell-cell interactions in the peripheral nervous system. Autosomal recessive peripheral neuropathies are relatively rare but are clinically more severe than autosomal dominant forms of CMT, and understanding their molecular basis may provide a new perspective on these mechanisms. Here we report the identification of the gene responsible for hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy-Lom (HMSNL). HMSNL shows features of Schwann-cell dysfunction and a concomitant early axonal involvement, suggesting that impaired axon-glia interactions play a major role in its pathogenesis. The gene was previously mapped to 8q24.3, where conserved disease haplotypes suggested genetic homogeneity and a single founder mutation. We have reduced the HMSNL interval to 200 kb and have characterized it by means of large-scale genomic sequencing. Sequence analysis of two genes located in the critical region identified the founder HMSNL mutation: a premature-termination codon at position 148 of the N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1). NDRG1 is ubiquitously expressed and has been proposed to play a role in growth arrest and cell differentiation, possibly as a signaling protein shuttling between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. We have studied expression in peripheral nerve and have detected particularly high levels in the Schwann cell. Taken together, these findings point to NDRG1 having a role in the peripheral nervous system, possibly in the Schwann-cell signaling necessary for axonal survival.
A QUANTIFIER-ELIMINATION BASED HEURISTIC FOR AUTOMATICALLY GENERATING INDUCTIVE ASSERTIONS FOR PROGRAMS

A method using quantifier-elimination is proposed for automatically generating program invariants/inductive assertions. Given a program, inductive assertions, hypothesized as parameterized formulas in a theory, are associated with program locations. Parameters in inductive assertions are discovered by generating constraints on parameters by ensuring that an inductive assertion is indeed preserved by all execution paths leading to the associated location of the program. The method can be used to discover loop invariants–properties of variables that remain invariant at the entry of a loop. The parameterized formula can be successively refined by considering execution paths one by one; heuristics can be developed for determining the order in which the paths are considered. Initialization of program variables as well as the precondition and postcondition, if available, can also be used to further refine the hypothesized invariant. The method does not depend on the availability of the precondition and postcondition of a program. Constraints on parameters generated in this way are solved for possible values of parameters. If no solution is possible, this means that an invariant of the hypothesized form is not likely to exist for the loop under the assumptions/approximations made to generate the associated verification condition. Otherwise, if the parametric constraints are solvable, then under certain conditions on methods for generating these constraints, the strongest possible invariant of the hypothesized form can be generated from most general solutions of the parametric constraints. The approach is illustrated using the logical languages of conjunction of polynomial equations as well as Presburger arithmetic for expressing assertions.
Coding techniques for link adaptation in multicarrier systems

A novel technique for improving coding and diversity gains in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems is proposed. Multidimensional symbol design based on complex field codes with interleaving across frequency has been known for some time now. However, such symbols cannot be concatenated to convolutional codes owing to the prohibitive complexity of decoding. A novel way of designing multidimensional symbols that allow to concatenate them to convolutional codes while maintaining a low decoding complexity is shown. The proposed multidimensional symbols are based on tailbiting convolutional codes and the design of codes is discussed with desirable properties. Also the design of bit interleaved coded modulation-type and trellis-coded modulation-type codes over these multidimensional symbols is shown. Simulations show that the proposed coding scheme provides significant performance and/or complexity improvements over existing alternatives and also provides more degrees of freedom for channel-based link adaptation.
Carex sagei (Cyperaceae), the correct name for C. barrosii

Resumen en: The holotype of Carex sagei comes from central Chile, and this name has long been treated as a synonym of C. fuscula. Recent study indicates, however, t...
Rifaximin Treatment for Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Objective:To evaluate the role of rifaximin in the treatment of symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).Data Sources:Clinical literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1990–September 2007) using the terms rifaximin, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), bacterial overgrowth, and irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, references in publications identified in the search were reviewed for relevant information.Study Selection and Data Extraction:All articles published in English identified from the data source were evaluated. Randomized clinical trials in adult populations were included.Data Synthesis:IBS is a common functional bowel disorder of unknown etiology. Some evidence suggests that symptoms are secondary to bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. Rifaximin, a nonsystemic antibiotic that targets the gastrointestinal tract, has been evaluated in the treatment of SIBO. Six studies that evaluated rifaximin in either IBS, with or without documented SIBO, or SIBO alone, were re...
Fault Lines: Cultural Memory and Japanese Surrealism

Illustrations A note on Japanese names Prologue: what is called surrealism 1. Introduction 2. Distant realities 3. On memory and doubt 4. Poetry and visuality, poetry and actuality 5. Eternities and surrealist legacies Epilogue: physical nostalgias Appendix Selected chronology Notes Bibliography Index.
Mammary Adipose Tissue-derived Lysophospholipids Promote Estrogen Receptor-negative Mammary Epithelial Cell Proliferation

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), acting in an autocrine or paracrine fashion through G protein-coupled receptors, has been implicated in many physiologic and pathologic processes, including cancer. LPA is converted from lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) by the secreted phospholipase autotaxin (ATX). Although various cell types can produce ATX, adipocyte-derived ATX is believed to be the major source of circulating ATX and also to be the major regulator of plasma LPA levels. In addition to ATX, adipocytes secrete numerous other factors (adipokines); although several adipokines have been implicated in breast cancer biology, the contribution of mammary adipose tissue-derived LPC/ATX/LPA (LPA axis) signaling to breast cancer is poorly understood. Using murine mammary fat-conditioned medium, we investigated the contribution of LPA signaling to mammary epithelial cancer cell biology and identified LPA signaling as a significant contributor to the oncogenic effects of the mammary adipose tissue secretome. To interrogate the role of mammary fat in the LPA axis during breast cancer progression, we exposed mammary adipose tissue to secreted factors from estrogen receptor-negative mammary epithelial cell lines and monitored changes in the mammary fat pad LPA axis. Our data indicate that bidirectional interactions between mammary cancer cells and mammary adipocytes alter the local LPA axis and increase ATX expression in the mammary fat pad during breast cancer progression. Thus, the LPC/ATX/LPA axis may be a useful target for prevention in patients at risk of ER-negative breast cancer. Cancer Prev Res; 9(5); 367-78. ©2016 AACR.
Cost Analysis of Total Joint Arthroplasty Readmissions in a Bundled Payment Care Improvement Initiative.

Abstract Background The Bundled Payment for Care Improvement (BPCI) Initiative is a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services program designed to promote coordinated and efficient care. This study seeks to report costs of readmissions within a 90-day episode of care for BPCI Initiative patients receiving total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods From January 2013 through December 2013, 1 urban, tertiary, academic orthopedic hospital admitted 664 patients undergoing either primary TKA or THA through the BPCI Initiative. All patients readmitted to our hospital or an outside hospital within 90-days from the index episode were identified. The diagnosis and cost for each readmission were analyzed. Results Eighty readmissions in 69 of 664 patients (10%) were identified within 90-days. There were 53 readmissions (45 patients) after THA and 27 readmissions (24 patients) after TKA. Surgical complications accounted for 54% of THA readmissions and 44% of TKA readmissions. These complications had an average cost of $36,038 (range, $6375-$60,137) for THA and $38,953 (range, $4790-$104,794) for TKA. Eliminating the TKA outlier of greater than $100,000 yields an average cost of $27,979. Medical complications of THA and TKA had an average cost of $22,775 (range, $5678-$82,940) for THA and $24,183 (range, $3306-$186,069) for TKA. Eliminating the TKA outlier of greater than $100,000 yields an average cost of $11,682. Conclusion Hospital readmissions after THA and TKA are common and costly. Identifying the causes for readmission and assessing the cost will guide quality improvement efforts.
A study to determine the angle of anteversion of the neck of the femur.

The authors feel that, in the past, the angle of anteversion of the neck of the femur has been considered to be greater than it normally is. This study has shown that 25 per cent. of all adult femora will normally have anteversion of between 5 and 10 degrees, and that 66 per cent. will fall between 0 and 15 degrees. The authors believe that any angle of anteversion in the adult femur that is greater than 10 degrees is approaching the abnormal, and that anything over 15 degrees is definitely pathological. There are many differences between the male and female types of femur. Although the difference in the angle of anteversion is small, it should be considered as one of the characteristics of each type,—the female type showing a slightly greater amount of anteversion than the male type. This study bears out the facts that the infant femur has a high degree of anteversion normally (this averaged 24.4 degrees); and that, during childhood and adolescence, it gradually recedes to that seen in the adult. A reverse angle or angle of retroversion is a rather frequent finding, and its occurrence in the adult is nearly as common as the finding of an abnormal amount of anteversion.
Mechanics on a surface of constant negative curvature

Chaotic dynamical systems can be studied using the example of a surface of constant negative curvature. Of particular interest are tori with one exceptional point, because the motion of a particle on such a surface is very close to the scattering of an electron on a small molecule. The explicit calculations require a surface which is compatible with the modular group. The construction of the known four cases is carried out with the help of elementary number theory, and the scattering function for the solutions of the Laplace operator is obtained. The geometrical discussion leads to tori with two exceptional points, as well as a special example of the latter which is compatible with the modular group and yet does not belong to a torus with only one exceptional point. A rather unusual representation of the general Fricke-Klein groups in terms of 4 by 4 matrices is also given, which is rational in two of the three traces A, B, and C, and does not use the third one.
Secularity or Secularism: Two Competing Visions for the Relationship between Religion and the State in the New Turkish Constitution

One of the most controversial issues in crafting a new constitution for Turkey will likely be the definition and conceptualization of what kind of secular state Turkey envisions for itself and what the relationship between religion and the state ought to be. In this paper I want to suggest that there is an important, perhaps critical, distinction between secularity and secularism - in particular that one concept is a fundamental component of liberal pluralism and a bastion against religious extremism, and that the other is a misguided, even dangerous, ideology that may degenerate into its own dystopian funddamentalism. Secularity is an approach to religion-state relations that avoids identification of the state with any particular religion or ideology (including secularism itself) and that endeavors to provide a neutral framework capable of accommodating a broad range of religions and beliefs. Secularism, in contrast, is an ideological position that is committed to promoting a secular order. In this paper I will illustrate the difference between these conceptualizations of the secular state with examples of cases from several different jurisdictions focusing on the institutional relationships between religion and the state, and the individual’s relationship with the state.
Classical Theory of Nonlinear Compton Scattering and Three-Dimensional Ponderomotive Scattering

The physics of laser-electron interactions changes dramatically at relativistic intensities, where the transverse momentum of the charge, measured in electron units, exceeds one. Three fundamental processes are known to occur in this regime: nonlinear ponderomotive1 and Compton2,3 scattering, and high intensity Kapitza-Dirac scattering4,5. These vacuum interactions correspond to the following geometries: collinear propagation, head-on collision, and electron diffraction in a laser standing wave, respectively.
Chapter 3 Magnetic Properties: Macroscopic Studies

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the magnetic properties of diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMS). These are ternary compounds of the form A1–x,MnxC, where A = Zn, Cd, Hg that are group-II elements of the periodic table, C = S , Se, Te that are group-IV elements, and x is the mole fraction of the magnetic ion Mn2+. The properties of interest are electron spin resonance, magnetization, and the contribution to the specific heat because of the magnetic Mn ions incorporated substitutionally in the lattice. These properties can be calculated when the energy level scheme of the Mn ions is known. Vice versa, when the above properties are known from the measurements, they can be used to deduce the energy level scheme. The divalent manganese ions have a 3d5 configuration and 6S5/2 ground state. A spherically symmetric S state cannot be affected by a crystalline electric field. However, it is known that a crystal field splitting of the ground state of Mn2+ does occur. This is because it is not a pure 6S state but contains admixtures of higher lying levels. The mechanisms of such mixing involve higher order processes that take into account crystal fields, spin–orbit coupling, spin–spin interaction, relativistic effects, etc. However, the admixtures in question are relatively small and often can be neglected.
Infrared Spectroscopic Studies of Thin Polyaniline Films

The electrochemistry of polyaniline depends upon the pH of the deposition solution and the nature of the anion present during deposition. When the pH of the deposition solution is below 1.0, the response is typical of the para-substituted phenyleneamine structure. When the pH of the deposition solution is greater than 1.0, an additional voltammetric wave appears, and the response is a function of the dopant anion. This report presents results of an in situ infrared spectroscopic study aimed at elucidating structural features which determine the anion dependent voltammetric response.
The Clinical Analysis on 230 Cases of Patients with Placenta Previa combined with Postpartum Hemorrhage

Objective To explore the related factor and prevention and treatment measure of postpartum hemorrhage.Methods 320 cases of patients with postpartum hemorrhage from Yanfeng women's and children's hospital were analyzed retrospectively,and 240 cases of puerpera had no syndromes in same period were chosen out as control group.Results The rate of postpartum hemorrhage was 1.43%,including 92.2% happened in two hours after postpartum.The related factor was as follows:uterine inertia:69.6%,soft birth canal laceration:21.7%,amniotic ? uid embolism:7.4%,rupture of uterus:1.3%.Conclusion Postpartum hemorrhage was relationship with many factor,so,it is meaningful for reducing postpartum hemorrhage by emphasizing preconception care,reducing uterine inertia and perfecting every link of delivery.
Abstract IA23: T cell memory and exhaustion

Chronic antigen stimulation during persistent infections or cancer leads to functional exhaustion of CD8 T cells. The inhibitory receptor PD-1 plays a major role in this T cell dysfunction and blockade of this inhibitory pathway restores function in exhausted T cells. T cell exhaustion and the role of PD-1 in chronic infection were first documented in the mouse model of chronic LCMV infection and these findings were then extended to chronic viral infections in non-human primates and humans. In this talk I will discuss combinatorial strategies that enhance PD-1 directed immunotherapy and describe how PD-1 blockade acts not only at the level of increasing T cell numbers but plays a key role in target cell elimination. An interesting aspect of PD-1 biology is that PD-1 is also expressed during the early phase of T cell activation. In this talk I will also discuss how this early PD-1 expression is regulated and its potential role in CD8 T cell differentiation. Citation Format: Rafi Ahmed. T cell memory and exhaustion. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; September 16-19, 2015; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(1 Suppl):Abstract nr IA23.
Public Health Perspective: The Health Policy Implications of Screening for Prostate Cancer

AbstractThe appropriateness of adopting a new screening policy depends on the burden of suffering from the disease, and on the effectiveness, potential harms and costs of screening. Prostate cancer clearly satisfies the first requirement but the relationship among its benefits, harms and costs is uncertain due to lack of data. Available screening tests (for example prostate specific antigen) can detect early stage disease but there is no evidence that clinical outcomes are improved by early detection. The potential harms of screening 28 million men older than 50 years include unnecessary interventions for thousands of men without disease or with clinically insignificant cancer. The billions of dollars required for this effort could displace resources away from health care services of proved benefit. Ongoing clinical trials are expected to provide needed data. In the meantime, public policy should emphasize preventive services of proved effectiveness. Patients should be informed of what is known and not kn...
Tire–pavement interaction modelling: hyperelastic tire and elastic pavement

The interaction between deformable tire and pavement was studied using the validated finite element model; the full understanding of tire–pavement contact has implications for pavement damage prediction and pavement life-cycle assessment (fuel consumption estimation). The tire’s rubber and reinforcement were considered hyperelastic and linear elastic, respectively, with material constants obtained from the tire manufacturer (rubber) and laboratory testing (reinforcement). On the other hand, the pavement was assumed linear elastic supported by linear elastic springs. This assumption was made as a first step to examine the impact of using a deformable-on-deformable tire–pavement system to predict energy in the tire and contact stresses. The effect of the pavement stiffness on contact area, tire deflection, three-dimensional contact stresses, surface deflection, internal energy of the tire and its components, the work performed by the contact forces, and dissipation caused by friction was also studied. The e...
Arson and the Business Cycle

As a form of financial abandonment, arson may be profitable if property values sink below insured replacement values. Testing this hypothesis using general labor market conditions to reflect proper...
“Healing Alone?”: Social Capital, Racial Diversity and Health Care Inequality in the American States:

There is an influential tradition in political science that social capital, defined as mutual trust and civic engagement, is linked to better substantive outcomes for citizens in democracies. Recen...
Genetic Engineering with Plant Viruses, and Their Potential as Vectors

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the potential of plant viruses as vectors for introducing foreign genes into plants. Understanding how viruses function and interact with their hosts may lead to means of controlling some economically important plant diseases; inserting foreign genes may enable a means of improving economically important crops. This chapter examines how molecular biological techniques, especially molecular cloning and in vitro mutation, are being applied to the study of plant viruses, what progress has been made so far, and how gene vectors might be derived from plant viruses. There are two main uses of genetic engineering with regard to plant viruses: cloning of viral sequences in prokaryotic systems and the development of vector systems for eukaryotes. Gaining expression of a foreign gene in a vector derived from a plant virus is still an unattained goal, but considerable progress is made in an area prerequisite to this—namely, understanding the mechanisms of replication, transcription, and translation of virus genes. The vector requires the necessary sequences for replication, transcription (promoters), and other regulatory signals. The successful vector may be a second-generation vector constructed of these basic requirements from different origins. It might comprise a replication signal from one plant virus, promoters from another (even animal) virus, parts of plant genes, and part of a bacterial plasmid to allow amplification and selection in bacteria.
Extreme Sex: Contemporary American Women Writers at the Margins

Several recent novels write first-person female protagonists engaged in sexuality on the margins, troubling normative gender roles. Alissa Nutting’s Tampa depicts a sociopath pedophile in a slickly sick gender satire. Lidia Yuknavitch’s The Small Backs of Children uses hybrid narrative form to push the transformative power of violent sexuality. Fragmented narration and first-person perspective also engage readers in Carole Maso’s Defiance, while Tamara Faith Berger uses tropes of pornography to question boundaries. Analyzing how these authors use narrative perspective, structure, and style to shape reader response, this chapter argues for the feminist and literary value of extreme sexualities while exposing the politics that still push women writers to the margins. These works create a productive unease by bringing marginalized sexual experiences into the cultural imaginary and slowly transforming notions of sexual agency.
Neuroimaging Correlates of Periodic Discharges

Despite being first described over 50 years ago, periodic discharges continue to generate controversy as to whether they are always, sometimes, or never "ictal." Investigators and clinicians have proposed adjunctive markers to help clarify this distinction-in particular measures of perfusion and metabolism. Here, we review the growing number of neuroimaging studies using Fluorodeoxyglucose-PET, MRI diffusion, Magnetic resonance perfusion, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography, and Magnetoencepgalography to gain further insight into the physiology and clinical significance of periodic discharges. To date, however, no definitive consensus exists regarding the features of periodic discharges that warrant treatment intensification. However, an emerging consilience among neuroimaging modalities suggests that periodic discharges can induce a hyperexcitatory state with associated hypermetabolism and hyperperfusion, which may result in local metabolic failure.
Using a Network Approach to Identify Genes Important during Anther Development

Understanding anther development is crucial in determining traits that are important for crop breeding. Maize is one of the most studied grass species with well-defined anther developmental stages. In this work, we use a network approach to build a maize anther interactome using anther specific RNAseq and small RNA (sRNA) data.
A phase II trial of enzalutamide in patients with androgen receptor positive (AR+) ovarian, primary peritoneal or fallopian tube cancer and one, two, or three prior therapies.

TPS5602Background: Approximately 75% of women with epithelial ovarian cancer (OC) present with advanced disease. The majority of these women will ultimately recur and require life-long treatment fo...
Profiling of N 6 -Methyladenosine in Zika Virus RNA and Host Cellular mRNA

N6-Methylation of adenosine (m6A) in viral RNA was first identified in Rous sarcoma virus, influenza virus, and SV40 virus several decades ago. More recently, human immunodeficiency virus-1, hepatitis C virus, and Zika virus (ZIKV) RNAs have also been reported to be modified by m6A, highlighting the significance of this posttranscriptional RNA modification. Nevertheless, the functions of m6A and their roles in the context of viral infections are not completely understood. Similarly, the mechanisms by which viral infections may alter the dynamics of the host RNA methylome have yet to be elucidated. Here, we describe an experimental protocol to obtain m6A profiles of ZIKV RNA and the host cell mRNA using methylated RNA immunoprecipitation-sequencing (MeRIP-Seq).
Abstract PR14: Nucleation of transcriptional super-enhancers at tumor oncogenes

Transcriptional super-enhancers drive expression of oncogenes in many cancers and are being targeted with novel transcriptional and epigenetic therapeutics (1,2,3,4). Super-enhancers are acquired in cancers through multiple mechanisms, including DNA translocation of an extant super-enhancer and focal amplification. We recently discovered a novel mechanism by which super-enhancers are nucleated in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (T-ALLs) (5). In this case, a small, monoallelic insertion creates a DNA binding site for a master transcription factor protein, which binds and recruits additional factors to nucleate the super-enhancer, which in turn drives high levels of the TAL1 transcription factor. We describe here a method for unbiased identification of similar genomic insertions that nucleate potentially oncogenic regulatory elements in cancers. This approach uses data from genome-wide ChIP-Seq studies that map locations of enhancer-binding proteins to identify sequences missing from reference genomes. We have found many additional genomic insertions in many additional cancers. I will describe new insights into the regulation of cancer that occur due to nucleation of novel regulatory elements. 1 Hnisz, Abraham, Lee, et al., Cell 2013 2 Loven, Hoke, Lin, et al., Cell 2013 3 Kwiatkowski, et al., Nature, 2014 4 Chipumoro, et al., Cell, 2014 5 Mansour et al., Science 2014 Citation Format: Brian J. Abraham, Nicholas Kwiatkowski, Abraham S. Weintraub, Denes Hnisz, Nancy Hannett, Richard A. Young. Nucleation of transcriptional super-enhancers at tumor oncogenes. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Translation of the Cancer Genome; Feb 7-9, 2015; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(22 Suppl 1):Abstract nr PR14.
REBT and Anger Disorders

Anger is a subjective, negative emotion that typically arises when one believes they are a victim of injustice or being threatened or attacked. It is associated with rigid, demanding thoughts, increased physiological agitation, and aggressive behaviors. It is considered a basic, primary emotion. It is related to—but distinguishable from—aggression (a behavior), hostility (an attitude), irritability (a physiological mood), and hatred (a cognitively-based dislike).
A GATE to Understanding “Older” Workers: Generation, Age, Tenure, Experience

The aging workforce is a widely acknowledged, major organizational phenomenon. Nevertheless, its present level of scholarship is both narrow in focus and inconclusive in implications for key organi...
Mechanisms and Clinical Features of Co-occurring Opioid and Nicotine Use.

To review the literature addressing shared pathophysiological and clinical features of opioid and nicotine use to inform etiology and treatment, and highlight areas for future research. Opioid and nicotine use co-occur at an alarmingly high rate, and this may be driven in part by interactions between the opioid and cholinergic systems underlying drug reward and the transition to dependence. Pain, among other shared risk factors, is strongly implicated in both opioid and nicotine use and appears to play an important role in their co-occurrence. Additionally, there are important sex/gender considerations that require further study. Regarding treatment, smoking cessation can improve treatment outcomes in opioid use disorder, and pharmacological approaches that target the opioid and cholinergic systems may be effective for treating both classes of substance use disorder. Understanding overlapping etiological and pathophysiological mechanisms of opioid and nicotine use can aid in understanding their co-occurrence and guiding their treatment.
High‐charge‐capacity sputtered iridium oxide neural stimulation electrodes deposited using water vapor as a reactive plasma constituent

The deposition and properties of sputtered iridium oxide films (SIROFs) using water vapor as a reactive gas constituent are investigated for their potential as high-charge-capacity neural stimulation electrodes. Systematic investigation through a series of optical and electrochemical measurements reveals that the incorporation of water vapor as a reactive gas constituent, along with oxygen, alters the reduction-oxidation (redox) state of the plasma as well as its morphology and the electrochemical characteristics, including the cathodal charge-storage capacity (CSCc ) and charge-injection capacity (CIC), of the SIROF. An apparent optimal O2 :H2 O gas ratio of 1:3 produced SIROF with a CSCc of 182.0 mC cm-2 μm-1 (median, Q1 = 172.5, Q3 = 193.4, n = 15) and a CIC of 3.57 mC cm-2 (median, Q1 = 2.97, Q3 = 4.58, n = 12) for 300-nm-thick films. These values are higher than those obtained with SIROFs deposited using no water vapor by a factor of 2.3 and 1.7 for the CSCc and CIC, respectively. Additionally, the SIROF showed minimal changes in electrochemical characteristics over 109 pulses of constant current stimulation and showed no indication of cytotoxicity toward primary cortical neurons in a cell viability assay. These results warrant investigation of the chronic recording and stimulation capabilities of the SIROF for implantable microelectrode arrays.
Combined Effect of Heat and Noise on The Cardiovascular System of Workers in A Steel Plant of Nantong City

[Objective]To investigate the combined effects of heat and noise the cardiovascular system of workers in a steel plant of Nantong City. [Methods]Occupational health surveillance examination was performed on 90 workers with exposure of noise and heat,80 with heat exposure,82 with noise exposure and 83 administrative and logistical workers without occupational hazards exposure. [Results]The prevalence of hypertension of the noise and heat group was 31.11%,10.97% in noise group,12.5% in heat group,4.82% in control group.The abnormal rate of ECG was 14.4% in the noise and heat group,15.9% in the heat group,8.54% in the noise group,and 1.20% in the control group.The hypertension prevalence of the noise and heat group,the noise group and the high temperature group were significantly higher than that of the control group(P0.01),the noise and heat group was significantly higher than the noise group and the heat group(P0.01).The abnormal ECG rates of the noise and heat group,the noise group and the heat group were significantly higher than that of the control group(P0.01).The abnormal ECG rate of the noise and heat group was not significantly higher than that of the heat group(P0.05). [Conclusion]Long-term exposure to noise and heat can cause a certain effect on cardiovascular system of human body,especially the combined effect on workers' blood pressure.The single noise exposure affects the ECG unobviously.
Projection pursuit with applications to scRNA sequencing data

In this paper, we explore the limitations of PCA as a dimension reduction technique and study its extension, projection pursuit (PP), which is a broad class of linear dimension reduction methods. We first discuss the relevant concepts and theorems and then apply PCA and PP (with negative standardized Shannon's entropy as the projection index) on single cell RNA sequencing data.
The Oracle Explained

Vickie B. Sullivan’s Montesquieu and the Despotic Ideas of Europe: An Interpretation of “The Spirit of the Laws” and Keegan Callanan’s Montesquieu’s Liberalism and the Problem of Universal Politics...
A real-time network-level traffic signal control methodology with partial connected vehicle information

Abstract This paper presents two algorithms to estimate traffic state in urban street networks with a mixed traffic stream of connected and unconnected vehicles and incorporates them in a real-time and distributed traffic signal control methodology. The first algorithm integrates connected vehicles (CV) and loop detector data to estimate the trajectory of unconnected vehicles based on car-following concepts. The second algorithm converts the temporal point vehicle detections to a spatial vehicle distribution on a link. The signal control methodology utilizes either algorithm to estimate traffic state on all network links at a time, optimizes the signal timing parameters over a prediction period constituting several time steps, implements the optimal decisions in the next time step, and continues this process until the end of the study period. We applied the methodology to a real-world case study network simulated in Vissim. The results show that both algorithms are effective under a wide range of CV market penetration rates in all tested demand patterns: at 0% market penetration rate, the proposed methodology reduced travel time by 2% to 10% and average delay by 7% to 20% compared to the existing signal timing parameters and traffic demand. At a 40% penetration rate, the proposed algorithms reduced travel time by 27% to 33% and average delay by 50% to 61% compared to the existing signal and demand pattern in the case study network. Similar trends were found for all other demand patterns tested in this study.
H1 histones control the epigenetic landscape by local chromatin compaction

H1 linker histones are the most abundant chromatin-binding proteins1. In vitro studies indicate that their association with chromatin determines nucleosome spacing and enables arrays of nucleosomes to fold into more compact chromatin structures. However, the in vivo roles of H1 are poorly understood2. Here we show that the local density of H1 controls the balance of repressive and active chromatin domains by promoting genomic compaction. We generated a conditional triple-H1-knockout mouse strain and depleted H1 in haematopoietic cells. H1 depletion in T cells leads to de-repression of T cell activation genes, a process that mimics normal T cell activation. Comparison of chromatin structure in normal and H1-depleted CD8+ T cells reveals that H1-mediated chromatin compaction occurs primarily in regions of the genome containing higher than average levels of H1: the chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) B compartment and regions of the Hi-C A compartment marked by PRC2. Reduction of H1 stoichiometry leads to decreased H3K27 methylation, increased H3K36 methylation, B-to-A-compartment shifting and an increase in interaction frequency between compartments. In vitro, H1 promotes PRC2-mediated H3K27 methylation and inhibits NSD2-mediated H3K36 methylation. Mechanistically, H1 mediates these opposite effects by promoting physical compaction of the chromatin substrate. Our results establish H1 as a critical regulator of gene silencing through localized control of chromatin compaction, 3D genome organization and the epigenetic landscape.
Effect of the interval between calving and colostrum harvest on colostrum quality in dairy cows on a New York dairy

Colostrum management is one of the key factors in successful calf management. The estimated prevalence of failure of passive transfer in dairy heifer calves is still surprisingly high at 19.2%. In a recent study by Morrill and others, 30% of nationwide collected colostrum samples from dairy farms had immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations less than the industry-recommended 50 g/L. In recent years, an increasing amount of research in dairy cattle has focused on factors affecting colostrum quality including breed, age of dam, season of calving, volume of colostrum, and dry period length, whereas the effect of the interval between calving and first milking has only been addressed in a limited number of studies with small data sets. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of the interval between calving and first milking on the colostrum quality.
The effect of cavity size on ruthenium (II) tris-(2,2-bipyridine) photophysics encapsulated within zirconium based metal organic frameworks

Abstract Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are well known for their exceptionally large surface areas and high porosity making them ideal candidates for gas storage and adsorption, drug delivery systems, and light harvesting platforms. A class of MOF’s that have gained much attention for their exceptional hydrothermal stability are the zirconium oxide MOF’s. One in particular is Uio-66 which is composed of Zr6O8 clusters connected by benzene dicarboxylate linkers. One important characteristic of the Uio-66 series of MOFs is that extension of organic linkers results in a systematic increase in cavity size while retaining the same overall framework topology. This property affords the opportunity to examine the effects of cavity size on the photophysics of encapsulated guests. Here a comparison of the photophysics of ruthenium (II) tris-(2,2′-bipyridine) (RuBpy) encapsulated within three Zr-based MOF’s Uio-66, Uio-67, and Uio-68 is presented. All three RuBpy@Uio-xx (xx = 66, 67 or 68) materials display a bathochromic shift in the steady state spectra and an emission lifetimes that fit to a biexponential decay function. Both RuBpy@Uio-66 and RuBpy@Uio-67 exhibit extended emission lifetimes which is characteristic of deactivation of the higher energy triplet ligand field state (3LF) and depopulation from a higher energy metal-to-ligand charge transfer state (3MLCT). Interestingly, RuBpy@Uio-68 exhibits a solution like emission lifetime that would be consistent with the larger cavity providing sufficient volume for access to the 3LF state. However, closer examination of the photophysics reveals that even the larger cavity imposes a significant level of confinement although lesser than that observed for the RuBpy@Uio-66 and RuBpy@Uio-67 systems.