cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trubetzkoy’s Grundzüge der Phonologie

In this unfinished study, his last work, Trubetzkoy presents a final version of his phonological theories and applies them to the phonemic systems of a large number of languages. The book discusses the relation of phonology to other studies (5–30), the nature of phonemes (30–41), how to determine the phonemes of a language (41–59), relations between phonemes in general analysis (59–80) and in particular languages (80–206), neutralization (206–18), phonemic combinations (clusters, 218–30), phonological statistics (230–41), and boundary-markers (junctures, 241–61).
Energy Isolation Required for Multi-tenant Energy Harvesting Platforms

Embedded systems have long been synonymous with special purpose, single stakeholder computing. However, as these systems have become more capable and the demands placed on them have become more varied and variable, embedded software is beginning to embrace multi-tenancy. While the general problem of supporting multiple users and processes on a computing platform has been well explored in computer science, the challenges of supporting multiple users with competing desires on a highly energy-variable system remain unexplored. On an energy-harvesting platform, incoming energy needs to be distributed between stakeholders, and users accessing shared platform resources should be charged for the energy use of those resources. Furthermore, with system designers and application creators being increasingly removed from each other, the software environments of energy-harvesting platforms must provide primitives that enable applications to adapt to system variability. We explore several initial techniques for solving these problems and demonstrate them using Signpost---a modular, energy-harvesting platform for city-scale sensing.
Review of Endovenous Thermal Ablation of the Great Saphenous Vein: Endovenous Laser Therapy Versus Radiofrequency Ablation

Background Endovenous thermal ablation is a popular treatment for varicose veins of the greater saphenous vein. Two common techniques of thermal ablation are endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Objective The authors compare EVLT and RFA in vein therapy. Methods A review was conducted using PubMed. Studies comparing the treatment modalities were gathered and compared on the basis of 5 main standpoints, including: efficacy, side effects, serious complications, recurrence, and quality of life. Results It was found that EVLT and RFA are both highly efficacious (>80%). Endovenous laser therapy seems to be slightly more efficacious than RFA in numerous studies but its significance is uncertain. Side effect profiles varied regarding postoperative pain and bruising because both were seen to be significantly less using RFA. Serious complications were found to be rare in both with no significant difference in incidence. Recanalization rate was observed to be higher using RFA with uncertainty in significance among various studies. Quality of life improved after both procedures with no significant difference among the 2. Conclusion Efficacy and recurrence rate seem to favor EVLT, whereas postoperative pain and bruising favor RFA. Further studies are needed to validate the significance of the differences found.
RISK, CAUSES AND OUTCOMES OF EARLY READMISSIONS AFTER TRICUSPID VALVE SURGERY

The data on the readmissions following tricuspid valve repair/replacement (TVR) is scarce. We examined rates, causes, and outcomes of readmissions after TVR, using the National Readmission Database. The International Classification of Diseases - 9th version was used to identify the patients who
Pulled Over: How Police Stops Define Race and Citizenship, by Charles R. Epp, Stephen Maynard-Moody, and Donald P. Haider-Markel

In the 2004 remake of Walking Tall, a well-heeled couple cruise a two-lane highway in a Porsche 911 Carrera convertible. The driver soon notices lights and sirens behind him. He pulls over. A groun...
Utilization of Ultrasound Guided Lumbar Puncture to Improve the Efficacy and Outcome in an Overweight Patient Population: A Resident Driven Quality Improvement Project (S14.004)

Objective: To implement ultrasound guided lumbar puncture as a learning module for neurology residency training and to explore whether it will improve the technique for neurology residents and the quality of the procedure for patients. Background: Recent studies have shown that BMI is the key factor determining successful lumbar punctures (LPs) by neurology residents. The success rate dropped to 58% when BMI was >35. After failing bedside LPs, patients typically undergo fluoroscopy-guided LPs, which increase financial costs, require repeat discomfort and procedures, and expose patients to radiation. Ultrasound guided LPs are now used to combat these issues. Design/Methods: A resident-driven quality improvement project developed a standardized teaching module for the technique of ultrasound guided LP. After the training, we conducted a prospective, single-blinded, randomized control study of ultrasound guided LP in patients who visited a single tertiary care medical center. Patients (BMI>25) were randomly assigned to control (C-LP) group or ultrasound (US-LP) group. The parameters of the procedures including success rate, duration, and side effects were compared. Both resident and patient feedback were collected. Results: A total of 41 patients are enrolled in this ongoing study (21 in C-LP group, and 20 in US-LP group). The mean BMI value was 34.4 in C-LP group, vs 33.7 in the US-LP group. When compared to C-LP group, US-LP group had higher success rates (80% vs. 67%), shorter procedure time (20.7 vs. 40.4 min), and lower rate of moderate to severe pain (35% vs. 66.7%). 89.5% of residents strongly agree that the ultrasound guidance is very helpful when doing the LP on obese patients. Conclusions: Utilization of ultrasound guided LP by neurology residents helps to increase the success rate in patients with elevated BMI, decrease the total procedure time, decrease the overall pain level from patients’ standpoint, and increase the both patient and resident satisfaction. Study Supported by: NA Disclosure: Dr. Li has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ade has nothing to disclose. Dr. Daniello has nothing to disclose.
RNase Activity is Post-Translationally Controlled During the Dark-Induced Senescence Program

The activities of RNases and nucleases in wheat leaves are subject to control by stresses such as heat shock and prolonged darkness. Examination of one 27 kDa RNase revealed that heat shock resulted in a reduction of its activity without altering the level of the protein, suggesting post-translational control. During dark-induced senescence, all RNase and nuclease activities increase and the increase in 27 kDa RNase activity is controlled by ethylene. Examination of the 27 kDa RNase revealed that the increase in its activity was not accompanied by an increase in the level of the protein. Two-dimensional RNase activity gels and western analysis demonstrated that the 27 kDa RNase exists as multiple isoforms and that the activity of all isoforms increases during dark-induced senescence. These observations demonstrate that the increase in 27 kDa RNase activity is controlled post-translationally but is not achieved through changes in its isoelectric state.
Structural Models for Membrane Insertion and Channel Formation by Antiparallel Alpha Helical Membrane Peptides

Structural models were developed for a series of peptides (melittin, δ lysin, magainin, PGLa, and pardaxin) that interact with membranes to lyse cells and/or form membrane channels. All of these peptides have sequences consistent with their forming amphipathic α helices. In the models all of these peptides form antiparallel aggregates with hydrophobic side chains on one side of the aggregate and predominately hydrophilic side chains on the opposite side. Planar ‘raft’ type aggregates are postulated to displace lipids on one membrane surface for all these peptides. Models of cylindrical channels were developed for magainin, PGLa, and pardaxin. The transition from the raft to the channel structure is postulated to occur when two rafts meet ‘end-on’ and then fold into the membrane in a way that does not expose the hydrophilic side chains to the lipid alkyl chains. The transition structure is called a ‘boat’. Models were developed using computer graphics and energy minimization procedures interactively.
Size-Dependent Changes in Biophysical Control of Tree Growth: The Role of Turgor

Xylem pressure at the tops of trees decreases with increasing tree height as a result of gravitational force and friction associated with water movement through the xylem. Unless altered by osmotic adjustment, the turgor of cells in the apical and vascular meristems will decline proportionally with xylem pressure. In the tallest coniferous species on earth osmotic adjustment is insufficient to compensate for the negative impact of vertical gradients of xylem pressure on turgor of developing and mature tissue. This chapter synthesizes the research addressing turgor-related constraints on growth at the cellular, tissue, and whole tree levels. We examine the role of turgor in plant growth and foliar and stem structural and functional characteristics as they are influenced by height-related trends in turgor. We also evaluate height-related trends in turgor as a cause of observed patterns of tree height and tree biomass growth with an emphasis on how reductions in turgor can influence sink/source relationships for photosynthate in tall trees. Height-related reductions in cell turgor generate a cascade of direct and indirect effects on shoot extension and expansion. The multiple consequences of turgor-limited growth may act in a synergistic manner to further constrain shoot extension as trees approach species- and site-specific height limits. Turgor-limited tissue expansion has permanent anatomical and morphological consequences that govern height-dependent changes in an array of growth-related physiological processes. These include the impact of reduced xylem conduit dimensions on efficiency of water supply to growing tissues at the terminal portions of the water transport pathway, reduced growth efficiency associated with increased leaf mass per area, and increased resistance to CO2 diffusion through the mesophyll to the sites of carboxylation.
The sniffing position provides greater occipitoatlanto-axial angulation than simple head extension: A radiological study

While the anatomic sniffing position has traditionally been considered the standard head and neck position for laryngoscopy, recent evidence suggests that the sniffing position provides no significant advantage over simple head extension. To establish if the sniffing position provides an anatomic advantage, we compared the occipito-atlanto-axial extension angle, a key determinant for obtaining a good laryngeal view during laryngoscopy, in simple head extension and sniffing positions. Thirty volunteers with normal cervical spines were studied. Radiological examinations of the lateral cervical spine were taken and compared in each of the following three positions for each subject: neutral position (flat on the table with no pillow and without head extension or flexion); simple head extension (head maximally extended without a pillow); and the sniffing position (head extension with cervical flexion obtained by 7 cm occipital elevation). Mean angles of the occipito-atlanto-axial extension in simple head extension and the sniffing position were 20.4°±5.1°and 24.2°± 5.6°, respectively (P < 0.01). The anatomic sniffing position provides greater occipito-atlanto-axial extension compared to simple head extension. These findings should be taken into consideration when optimizing patient positioning for laryngoscopy.
Toward a Resilience-Based Conservation Strategy for Wetlands in Puerto Rico: Meeting Challenges Posed by Environmental Change

Designing conservation strategies in human-dominated landscapes is challenging, owing to complex human-natural systems and evolving societal values. To meet this challenge, a robust, adaptive strategy should have a process for flexible implementation of incremental actions. We describe a hypothetical example for the Rio Grande de Arecibo watershed and coastal wetlands in Puerto Rico to address the first component. The process begins by identifying shared stakeholder objectives. This process benefits from a review of foundational research and knowledge base that includes global forcings and vulnerability of resources of interest. Forcings include climate change and pervasive urban sprawl. We focus on two taxonomic groups with differing life histories but strong dependence on water resource dynamics, another resource valued by humans. We stipulate objectives and multiple actions, but focus on those pertaining to hydro-management as the common thread in our example. We advanced two decision contexts of contrasting complexity, illustrated links between objectives and actions, and highlighted trade-offs triggered by varying resource valuation. Our focus was to highlight various components necessary to frame a resilience-based strategy, but we cannot overemphasize the importance of accommodating institutional and stakeholder changing priorities and values to ensure its successful implementation.
Smartphone based real-time super Gaussian single microphone Speech Enhancement to improve intelligibility for hearing aid users using formant information

In this paper, we present a Speech Enhancement (SE) technique to improve intelligibility of speech perceived by Hearing Aid users using smartphone as an assistive device. We use the formant frequency information to improve the overall quality and intelligibility of the speech. The proposed SE method is based on new super Gaussian joint maximum a Posteriori (SGJMAP) estimator. Using the priori information of formant frequency locations, the derived gain function has “ tradeoff” factors that allows the smartphone user to customize perceptual preference, by controlling the amount of noise suppression and speech distortion in real-time. The formant frequency information helps the hearing aid user to control the gains over the non-formant frequency band, allowing the HA users to attain more noise suppression while maintaining the speech intelligibility using a smartphone application. Objective intelligibility measures and subjective results reflect the usability of the developed SE application in noisy real world acoustic environment.
Determining Antigen Specificity of Human Islet Infiltrating T Cells in Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes, the immune mediated form of diabetes, represents a prototypical organ specific autoimmune disease in that insulin producing pancreatic islets are specifically targeted by T cells. The disease is now predictable in humans with the measurement of type 1 diabetes associated autoantibodies (islet autoantibodies) in the peripheral blood which are directed against insulin and beta cell proteins. With an increasing incidence of disease, especially in young children, large well-controlled clinical prevention trials using antigen specific immunotherapy have been completed but with limited clinical benefit. To improve outcomes, it is critical to understand the antigen and T cell receptor repertoires of those cells that infiltrate the target organ, pancreatic islets, in human type 1 diabetes. With international networks to identify organ donors with type 1 diabetes, improved immunosequencing platforms, and the ability to reconstitute T cell receptors of interest into immortalized cell lines allows antigen discovery efforts for rare tissue specific T cells. Here we review the disease pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes with a focus on human islet infiltrating T cell antigen discovery efforts, which provides necessary knowledge to define biomarkers of disease activity and improve antigen specific immunotherapy approaches for disease prevention.
Performance of Landscape Plants from Northern Japan in the North Central United States

Abstract In 1984 and 1985, 21 landscape plant introductions from northern Japan were distributed for testing in the NC-7 Regional Ornamental Plant Trials. Seventeen of these introductions were evaluated for 10 years at six to ten sites representing a cross-section of growing conditions in the north central United States. For these 17 introductions, first-year survival averaged 60%; however, by year 10, fewer than 20% of the original 425 plants were alive. Based on these evaluations, the populations could be divided into four groups. One population of Rosa rugosa was adapted to most trial sites; two populations (Alnus hirsuta and Lonicera chrysantha) were adapted to some sites; three populations were of poorly adapted dieback shrubs, and the remaining 11 populations included a diverse set of trees and shrubs unadapted to any, or nearly any, trial site. Temperature and moisture data from Japan and from trial sites were used to examine relationships between plant adaptation and climate. Statistically signifi...
Independent Effects of Ideal Body Image Valuation and Delay Discounting on Proximal and Typical Levels of Physical Activity

College students often fail to engage in sufficient levels of physical activity (PA), which contributes to negative health outcomes that can persist after college (Huang et al., 2003). It is interesting that the degree to which one discounts the subjective value of delayed rewards (i.e., delay discounting) is related to PA (Garza, Harris, & Bolding, 2013). Efforts to improve one’s physical appearance, a subcategory of body image investment, is also linked to greater levels of PA (Loland, 1998). In the current study, 45 undergraduate students reported proximal and typical levels of PA, completed a delay discounting task, and indicated the percent of a hypothetical cash allotment ($1,000) that they would spend on achieving their own ideal body image (i.e., indicated their valuation of body image). Lower rates of delay discounting and a higher valuation of ideal body image were independent predictors of PA during a typical week. These findings suggest that examining motivational factors such as body image in conjunction with delay discounting may be important to better understanding the initiation and maintenance of PA.
Inference of Manipulation Intent in Teleoperation for Robotic Assistance

In teleoperation, predicting an operator’s intent and providing subsequent assistance have demonstrated great advantages in reducing an operator’s workload and a task’s difficulty as well as enhancing the task performance. Current research aims to tackle target-approaching intent, while our work focus on inferring manipulation (task) intent after the user grasps the object. We model how an object is grasped when being utilized in different manipulation tasks (intents) and then adopt this object grasping model in teleoperation for the intent inference. Our paper focuses on determining if direct interaction models can be used for indirect interaction. As the nature of one’s grasping pose may satisfy multiple tasks (intents), we explore a form of classification modeling known as multi-label classification for multiple broad categories of tasks and objects. We also comprehensively compare classification techniques to determine the most suitable method for determining manipulation intent. With knowing the manipulation intent, future robot control algorithms can provide more helpful and appropriate assistance to facilitate task accomplishment.
The etiology of schizophrenia

Research conducted in recent years represents a new dawn of knowledge for the risk factors of schizophrenia, and genome-wide approaches have revolutionized the field of genetic mapping of schizophrenia. The aggregate genetic data increasingly support a combination of rare and common genetic variation in schizophrenia, a major role for polygenic inheritance, and a genetic overlap (pleiotropy) of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders, such as bipolar disorder and autism. A main challenge for the field is the translation of established genetic associations into a better pathophysiological understanding of schizophrenia. The current and upcoming resequencing programs - both exomes (all exons) and full genomes - and genome-wide transcriptional analyses will allow a more thorough dissection of the molecular genetics of the disorder.
Improving cannabis differentiation by expanding coverage of the chemical profile with GCxGC-TOFMS

Abstract As the cannabis market has continued to grow and applications for medicinal use have been pursued, it has become increasingly important to better understand cannabis and its related products. Accurately predicting the physiological effects of a product is crucial for its effective use, and this objective has driven researchers to try to develop improved classification protocols for these products. One approach toward more reliable classification has been to describe samples by their chemical content. Chemical profiling of samples may be useful for predicting therapeutic potential. It also has applicability in quality control, product development, and determining regulatory compliance. Non-targeted chemical analysis tools are well suited for providing this type of information for complex samples and are crucial to support this growing market. In this chapter, we describe the benefits of non-targeted analytical methods that come from adding analytical technologies. The combination of gas chromatography (GC), mass spectrometry (MS), and comprehensive two-dimensional GC (GCxGC) results in an ideal tool that extends coverage of the chemical profile for cannabis samples. This analytical approach was applied to a set of seven cannabis samples and revealed unique chemical profiles for each sample. This extended coverage has the potential to improve sample understanding.
A dynamically load-balanced parallel p-adaptive implicit high-order flux reconstruction method for under-resolved turbulence simulation

Abstract We present a dynamically load-balanced parallel p-adaptive implicit high-order flux reconstruction method for under-resolved turbulence simulation. The high-order explicit first stage, singly diagonal implicit Runge–Kutta (ESDIRK) method is employed to circumvent the restriction on the time step size. The pseudo transient continuation is coupled with the matrix-free restarted generalized minimal residual (GMRES) method to solve the nonlinear equations at each stage, except the first one, of ESDIRK. We use the spectral decay smoothness indicator as the refinement/coarsening indicator for p-adaptation. A dynamic load balancing technique is developed with the aid of the open-source library ParMETIS. The trivial cost, compared to implicit time stepping, of mesh repartitioning and data redistribution enables us to conduct p-adaptation and load balancing every time step. An isentropic vortex propagation case is employed to study the impact of element weights used in mesh repartitioning on parallel efficiency. We apply the p-adaptive solver for implicit large eddy simulation (ILES) of the transitional flows over a cylinder when Reynolds number (Re) is 3900 and the SD7003 wing when Re is 60000. Numerical experiments demonstrate that a significant reduction in the run time (up to 70%) and total number of solution points (up to 76%) can be achieved with p-adaptation.
Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Heart Failure

Abstract Both congestive heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are important and increasingly common forms of cardiovascular disease in the 21st century. Heart failure is often complicated by AF, and AF can exacerbate and, in some cases, cause HF, also known as tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TIC). Restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm in the majority of AF patients with TIC can lead to an improvement in left ventricular function and dramatic symptomatic relief. This can be accomplished by surgical ablation; specifically, the Cox-Maze IV procedure (CMP IV), in those refractory to medical and catheter-based ablation, and those patients undergoing concomitant cardiac operation. However, many surgeons are reluctant to perform stand-alone or concomitant CMP IV in this high-risk cohort of patients. In this review, the over three decades of experience with surgical ablation will be reviewed along with the essential information that surgeons need to be aware of as they participate in the team-based care of patients with AF and HF.
Managing Congenital Lobar Overinflation Associated with Congenital Heart Disease.

The incidence of congenital lobar overinflation (CLO) is reported at 1 in 20,000–30,000 live births and represents 10% of all congenital lung malformations. The occurrence of concomitant congenital heart disease (CHD) and CLO ranges from 12% to 20%. There are diverging views in the management as to whether early lobectomy or repair of the cardiac defect, with the assumption that respiratory symptomatology would gradually resolve, or a combined lung and cardiac repair would be the ideal first step in the management. In concomitant CLO and CHD, the surgical decision has to be individualized. Prior to surgical intervention a thorough evaluation may be needed with contrast computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), bronchoscopy, and if needed cardiac catheterization. CLO improves with management of many left to right shunts and in those with anomalous vessels, but early lobectomy or combined approach may be considered in those symptomatic patients with more complex CHD.
Delayed Symptoms: An Unusual Case of Hypoxic-ischemic Encephalopathy (P3.9-023)

Objective: To report a unique case of delayed hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Background: Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy occurs after cardiac arrest due to cerebral hypoperfusion. Symptoms can include confusion and focal neurologic deficits which typically surface immediately after the event. There are reports of delayed post-hypoxic leukoencephalopathy when neurologic signs first become evident days or even weeks after the event. Design/Methods: A 50 year old male with a PMH of HTN, DM, polysubstance abuse (heroin, K2), and CAD presented to an outside hospital with dyspnea and chest pain along with an elevated troponin. He was transferred to our institution for cardiac catheterization. Upon arrival he suffered PEA arrest. ROSC was obtained after 6 minutes. The patient did well for approximately three days after this event. Results: On the fourth day after his arrest, he became cortically blind and developed quadriparesis (4/5 in the upper extremities and 3/5 in the lower extremities) and significant dysarthria and confusion. A brain MRI demonstrated subacute hypoxic-ischemic injury with elevated DWI signal with relative normal ADC values in the bilateral caudate nuclei, right putamen, bilateral dorsal lentiform nuclei, and relatively symmetric cortical involvement of the perirolandic regions and bilateral occipital lobes. No strokes were noted on imaging. Conclusions: There is ample literature on the phenomenon of delayed post-hypoxic leukoencephalopathy where there is demyelination after days to weeks following a period of cerebral hypoperfusion. Typically, in these cases, there are diffuse and confluent white matter changes on MRI with restricted diffusion. This picture significantly differs from our patient. This is the first report to our knowledge where hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy involving mostly grey matter has presented in such a delayed fashion. Documentation of this phenomenon is novel, and crucial in preventing unnecessary workup of neurologic dysfunction following a hypoxic event. Disclosure: Dr. Rothstein has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kurzweil has nothing to disclose. Dr. Finamore has nothing to disclose.
Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Dyssynergic Defecation and Slow Transit Constipation in Patients with Chronic Constipation

Patients with chronic constipation who do not respond to initial treatments often need further evaluation for dyssynergic defecation (DD) and slow transit constipation (STC). The aims of this study are to characterize the prevalence of DD and STC in patients referred to a motility center with chronic constipation and correlate diagnoses of DD and STC to patient demographics, medical history, and symptoms. High-resolution ARM (HR-ARM), balloon expulsion testing (BET) and whole gut transit scintigraphy (WGTS) of consecutive patients with chronic constipation were reviewed. Patients completed questionnaires describing their medical history and symptoms at the time of testing. A total of 230 patients completed HR-ARM, BET, and WGTS. Fifty (22%) patients had DD, and 127 (55%) patients had STC. Thirty patients (13%) had both DD and STC. There were no symptoms that were suggestive of STC vs. DD; however, patients with STC and DD reported more severe constipation than patients with normal transit and anorectal function. Patients with chronic constipation often need evaluation for both DD and STC to better understand their pathophysiology of symptoms and help direct treatment.
Applying a Mathematical Sense-Making Framework to Student Work and Its Potential for Curriculum Design.

A mathematical sense-making framework developed in the context of extended episodes of collaborative student reasoning can be adapted to interpret multiple-choice and short-answer responses.
Stimulation related artifacts and a multipurpose template-based offline removal solution for a novel sensing-enabled deep brain stimulation device

Background: The Medtronic "Percept" is the first FDA approved deep brain stimulation (DBS) device with sensing capabilities during active stimulation. Its real-world signal recording properties have yet to be fully described. Objective: This study details sources of artifact (and potential mitigations) in local field potential (LFP) signals collected by the Percept, and assesses the potential impact of artifact on the future development of adaptive DBS (aDBS) using this device. Methods: LFP signals were collected from seven subjects in both experimental and clinical settings. The presence of artifacts and their effect on the spectral content of neural signals were evaluated in both the stimulation ON and OFF states using three distinct offline artifact removal techniques. Results: Template subtraction successfully removed multiple sources of artifact, including 1) electrocardiogram (ECG), 2) non-physiologic polyphasic artifacts, and 3) ramping related artifacts seen when changing stimulation amplitudes. ECG removal from stimulation ON (at 0 mA) signals recovered the spectral shape seen when OFF stimulation (averaged difference in normalized power in theta, alpha, and beta bands ≤ 3.5%). ECG removal using singular value decomposition was similarly successful, though required subjective researcher input. QRS interpolation produced similar recovery of beta-band signal, but resulted in residual low-frequency artifact. Conclusions: Artifacts present when stimulation is enabled notably affected the spectral properties of sensed signals using the Percept. Multiple discrete artifacts could be successfully removed offline using an automated template subtraction method. The presence of unrejected artifact likely influences online power estimates, with the potential to affect aDBS algorithm performance.
Closed-loop control of a prosthetic finger via evoked proprioceptive information.

Objective Proprioceptive information plays an important role for recognizing and coordinating our limb's static and dynamic states relative to our body or the environment. In this study, we determined how artificially evoked proprioceptive feedback affected the continuous control of a prosthetic finger. Approach We elicited proprioceptive information regarding the joint static position and dynamic movement of a prosthetic finger via a vibrotactor array placed around the subject's upper arm. Myoelectric signals of the finger flexor and extensor muscles were used to control the prosthesis, with or without the evoked proprioceptive feedback. Two control modes were evaluated: the myoelectric signal amplitudes were continuously mapped to either the position or the velocity of the prosthetic joint. Main results Our results showed that the evoked proprioceptive information improved the control accuracy of the joint angle, with comparable performance in the position- and velocity-control conditions. However, greater angle variability was prominent during position-control than velocity-control. Without the proprioceptive feedback, the position-control tended to show a smaller angle error than the velocity-control condition. Significance Our findings suggest that closed-loop control of a prosthetic device can potentially be achieved using non-invasive evoked proprioceptive feedback delivered to intact participants. Moreover, the evoked sensory information was integrated during myoelectric control effectively for both control strategies. The outcomes can facilitate our understanding of the sensorimotor integration process during human-machine interactions, which can potentially promote fine control of prosthetic hands.
Autoimmune Markers Do Not Impact Clinical Presentation or Natural History of Steatohepatitis-Related Liver Disease.

Autoimmune (AI) markers are reported in patients with steatohepatitis-related liver disease. However, their clinical significance is unclear. Charts of patients due to alcoholic liver disease (ALD) or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were stratified for antinuclear antigen (ANA > 1:80), antismooth muscle antibody (ASMA > 1:40), or antimitochondrial antibody (AMA > 1:20). Study outcomes were patient survival and complications of liver disease. Of 607 patients (401 NAFLD), information about AI markers was available for 398 (mean age 50 ± 15 year; 52 % males; median body mass index (BMI) 38; 44 % diabetic; 62 % nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) as type of steatohepatitis; median MELD score 9). A total of 78 (19.6 %) patients were positive for AI markers without differences for ALD versus NAFLD, cirrhosis versus no cirrhosis, and NASH versus no NASH. There were no differences for age, gender, BMI, cirrhosis at presentation, MELD score, endoscopic findings, and histology based on AI markers. Serum ALT was higher among patients with AI markers (65 ± 46 vs. 59 ± 66 IU/l; P = 0.048). Data remained unchanged on analyzing NAFLD patients. None of the 11 ANA-positive patients (1:640 in 4) showed findings of AI hepatitis. Biopsy in three AMA-positive patients showed mild bile duct damage in one patient. On median follow-up of about 3 years, there were no differences in liver disease outcomes (ascites, encephalopathy, variceal bleeding), hepatocellular carcinoma, transplantation, and survival. Autoimmune markers are frequently present in steatohepatitis-related liver disease patients. Their presence is an epiphenomenon without histological changes of autoimmune hepatitis. Further, their presence does not impact clinical presentation and follow-up outcomes.
Clinicopathologic characteristics and survival for adult renal sarcoma: A population-based study.

Abstract Introduction To analyze the association of clinicopathologic characteristics and treatment modality with survival among adult patients with renal sarcoma. Methods We identified 489 adults diagnosed with renal sarcoma from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registry between 1973 and 2011. Cancer-specific survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and was compared between groups with log rank and Cox models. Results Median age at diagnosis was 61 years, while median tumor size was 11 cm. Tumor histology was leiomyosarcoma in 175, liposarcoma in 100, other subtypes in 129, and unknown in 85 cases. Tumor stage at diagnosis was nonmetastatic in 322 (67%) and metastatic in 167 (33%) cases. Treatment of nonmetastatic disease was surgical resection in 171 patients, radiation in 24, both in 35, neither in 18, and unknown in 74 cases. Treatment of metastatic disease was surgery in 39 patients, radiation in 27, both in 11, neither in 42, and unknown in 48. For nonmetastatic and metastatic disease, 5-year cancer-specific survival rates were 58% and 16%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, surgery was associated with decreased cancer-specific mortality among both patients with nonmetastatic disease (hazard ratio = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.14–0.85) and those with metastatic disease (hazard ratio = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.18–0.77). Age, race, tumor size, and tumor grade were independently associated with cancer death in nonmetastatic disease, whereas race and tumor histology remained associated with mortality in metastatic disease (all P Conclusion Although metastatic renal sarcoma has an ominous prognosis, durable survival may be achieved for localized tumors. Although we recognize the potential for selection bias, our results suggest an association between surgical resection and decreased mortality for both nonmetastatic and metastatic renal sarcoma.
Origin of apparent magnetic excursions in deep‐sea sediments from Mendeleev‐Alpha Ridge, Arctic Ocean

[1] Arctic deep-sea sediments often record intervals of negative inclination of natural remanence that are tens of centimeters thick, implying magnetic excursions with durations of tens of thousand years that far exceed excursion durations estimated elsewhere, and the lack of tight age control usually provides excessive freedom in the labeling of Arctic excursions. Fortuitous variations in sedimentation rate have been invoked to explain the “amplified” excursions. Alternating field demagnetization of natural remanent magnetization (NRM) of sediment cores 08JPC, 10JPC, 11JPC, and 13JPC recovered by the Healy Oden Trans-Arctic Expedition in August 2005 (HOTRAX05) to the Mendeleev-Alpha Ridge yields apparent magnetic “excursions” in sediments deposited in the Brunhes Chron. Thermal demagnetization of the NRM, however, implies multiple magnetization components with negative inclination components usually “unblocked” below ∼350°C. Analysis of isothermal remanent magnetization acquisition curves from magnetic extracts indicates two magnetic coercivity components superimposed on one another. Magnetic experiments conducted under high and low temperatures show features that are characteristic for (titano)magnetite and titanomaghemite. Presence of the two magnetic phases is further confirmed by elemental mapping on a scanning electron microscope equipped for X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and by high-resolution X-ray diffraction (XRD). It is unlikely that anomalously thick intervals of negative inclination in these Brunhes-aged sediments are caused by unusual behavior of the magnetic field in the Arctic area. We therefore attribute low and negative NRM inclinations in these cores to partially self-reversed chemical remanent magnetizations, apparently carried by titanomaghemite and acquired during the oxidation of detrital (titano)magnetite grains. The high Ti contents and high oxidation states indicated by EDS and XRD data provide the conditions required for partial self-reversal by ionic reordering during diagenetic maghemitization, and this process appears to have affected all HOTRAX05 cores collected from the Mendeleev-Alpha Ridge.
The role of DNA methylation in cancer

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the role of DNA methylation in carcinogenesis and tumor diversification. The methylation of HpaII and Hha1 sites in DNA isolated from the normal rat livers and from transplantable hepatomas shows that the Hha1 sites in the α-fetoprotein genes are less methylated in hepatoma cell DNA than in the liver DNA. A decreased methylation of the CCGG sequences in the rat hepatoma DNA than in the normal rat livers is also observed. There are two corollaries to the hypothesis that chemical carcinogens act in part by inhibiting the DNA methylation: first, chemical carcinogens should be able to activate nonexpressed genes in suitable selectable systems in a similar manner to that of 5-Aza-CR, and second, agents that inhibit methylation such as 5-Aza-CR should be carcinogenic. The methylation of poly dC–dG with ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) stimulates the methyl-accepting ability of the DNA by rat DNA methyltransferase. Thus, carcinogens can have multiple effects on DNA methylation, acting either to decrease or to increase methylation, depending on the specific lesion induced in DNA.
Dilated cardiomyopathy in children: Review of all presentations to a children's hospital over a 5-year period and the impact of family cardiac screening.

Aim This study aims to report the aetiology and outcome of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in children from New Zealand and to assess the outcome of protocolised family cardiac investigation introduced in 2007. Methods Retrospective review of all patients with DCM, aged <15 years, presenting to the children's hospital between 01/01/2007 and 01/03/2012. Oncology patients were excluded. Family screening results were assessed. Results Thirty-five patients were identified. Median age 1 year: 26/35 (74%) <5 years. Ethnicity: New Zealand European 14/35 (40%), Maori 11/35 (31%), Pacific Island 5/35 (14%) and other 5/35(14%). Excluding the four cases with biopsy-proven myocarditis, family cardiac screening was documented in 15/31 (48%). Of these, 7/15 (47%) had a positive family screen. Six previously undiagnosed DCM cases were found in these families. Five of the seven familial DCM cases had evidence of viral infection at presentation. Final aetiology: Myocarditis, 15/35 (43%), with Parvovirus being the commonest virus identified 10/15(67%). Familial, seven (20%), Idiopathic, seven (20%), Others, six (17%). Overall outcome was death 10/35(28%), ongoing dysfunction 16/35 (46%) and normalisation in 9/35 (26%). The median time to death from diagnosis was 1.5 months (3 days to 3 years). Death occurred in 4/7 with familial DCM (57%) compared with 6/28 (21%) among the others (ns). Recovery occurred in 0/7 with familial DCM versus 4/4 with biopsy proven myocarditis (P < 0.05). Conclusions Almost half of families screened had evidence of familial DCM, and these children carried a worse prognosis. Maori and Pacific Island children seem to be over-represented. Family investigation led to the identification of many pre-symptomatic individuals even when viral aetiology was suspected initially.
Is Education the Key to Success? Association of Formal Education and Outcomes in Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Background: Renal dysfunction is common among patients with either Diabetes Mellitus or end-stage heart failure. It has been established that renal function improves after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) implantation. However, it is unknown if this improvement is also observed in diabetic patients who are at risk of renal disease at baseline. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine if patients with diabetes experienced the same improvement in renal function after CF-LVAD as non-diabetics. Method: A retrospective chart review of pts implanted with a CF-LVAD at Columbia University Medical Center from Jan 2007-December 2014 was completed. Calculated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was used to assess renal function, and was measured on admission 1, 3 and 6 months after CF-LVAD implantation. Renal dysfunction at baseline was defined as a GFR ! 60 ml/min/ m. Diabetic status was assessed at the time of CF-LVAD evaluation. Results: During the study period, 178 patients were implanted with a CF-LVAD (148 Heartmate II, 30 Heartware). Fifteen patients were on dialysis at the time of implant and were excluded from the analysis. Of the remaining 163 patients, 81(49.7%) were diabetic and 83 (51.4%) were non-diabetic. Patients with diabetes were more likely to be older and have a history of hypertension, but were otherwise comparable at baseline. The median GFR at the time of CF-LVAD implant was not significantly different in diabetics and non-diabetics, at 46.8 ml/min/ m2 (IQR 5 39.1-70.3) and 53.9
Trauma induces a hypercoagulable state that is resistant to hypothermia as measured by thrombelastogram

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that severely injured trauma patients would be hypercoagulable compared with controls measured by thromboelastography and that this hypercoagulability would persist over a broad range of temperatures. METHODS: A prospective study evaluating the effects of temperature on coagulation in trauma patients with Injury Severity Scores ≥ 15 and controls was completed. Thromboelastography was performed 24 hours after admission at 4 temperatures ranging from 32°C to 38°C. RESULTS: Ninety-two subjects (46 patients) were analyzed. Patients had a median Injury Severity Score of 20 (interquartile range, 16-26). Time to clot formation increased (P < .001) and fibrin cross-linking decreased (P < .01) in both groups as temperature decreased. Between groups, time to clot formation, fibrin cross-linking, and clot strength were significantly different at each temperature (P < .01), with patients being more hypercoagulable. Time to clot formation and fibrin cross-linking were more affected by temperature in controls compared with patients (P < .02). CONCLUSIONS: Severely injured patients are more hypercoagulable than controls throughout a broad range of temperature. Decreasing temperature has a greater effect on coagulation in controls compared with patients.
Genetically encoding unnatural amino acids for cellular and neuronal studies

Proteins participate in various biological processes and can be harnessed to probe and control biological events selectively and reproducibly, but the genetic code limits the building block to 20 common amino acids for protein manipulation in living cells. The genetic encoding of unnatural amino acids will remove this restriction and enable new chemical and physical properties to be precisely introduced into proteins. Here we present new strategies for generating orthogonal tRNA-synthetase pairs, which made possible the genetic encoding of diverse unnatural amino acids in different mammalian cells and primary neurons. Using this new methodology, we incorporated unnatural amino acids with extended side chains into the K+ channel Kv1.4, and found that the bulkiness of residues in the inactivation peptide is essential for fast channel inactivation, a finding that had not been possible using conventional mutagenesis. This technique will stimulate and facilitate new molecular studies using tailored unnatural amino acids for cell biology and neurobiology.
S-type mammalian lectins in allergic inflammation

Abstract Our understanding of the mechanism of allergic disease is continuously influenced by new developments in the bio-medical sciences. The studies of glycoconjugates and animal lectins have emerged as an exciting new frontier. One family of animal lectins, soluble lactose-binding lectins, has been studied extensively by a number of laboratories. Evidence is mounting that members of this family of lectins exist in the extracellular space and may be capable of affecting functions of various cells. In this article Fu-Tong Liu presents a revised view of allergic inflammation with emphasis on the modulatory effect of soluble lectins on mast-cell function.