cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Etching and Dimerization: A Simple and Versatile Route to Dimers of Silver Nanospheres with a Range of Sizes

This paper describes a facile method that generates dimers of Ag nanospheres by etching Ag nanocubes with Fe(NO3)3 in ethanol with the assistance of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP). During the etching process, the corners and edges of the Ag nanocubes were truncated off to generate spherical particles, accompanied by dimerization as a result of reduction in colloidal stability due to the addition of ionic species. Both ethanol and PVP play an important role in the etching and dimerization processes. By starting with Ag nanocubes of different sizes, we obtained well-defined dimers of Ag spheres 40, 63, and 80 nm in diameter with percentages of dimerization >60%. Since this approach can be used to fabricate dimers of Ag nanospheres with a range of different sizes, it allows for a systematic study of the hot-spot phenomenon in SERS. By correlating with SEM imaging, we measured the SERS enhancement factors for individual dimers from the three different samples, and an average value of 3.9×107, 9.3×107, and 1.7×108 was obtained, respectively.
Rent1, a trans-effector of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, is essential for mammalian embryonic viability.

The ability to detect and degrade transcripts that lack full coding potential is ubiquitous but non-essential in lower eukaryotes, leaving in question the evolutionary basis for complete maintenance of this function. One hypothesis holds that nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD) protects the organism by preventing the translation of truncated peptides with dominant negative or deleterious gain-of-function potential. All organisms studied to date that are competent for NMD express a structural homolog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Upf1 p. We have now explored the consequences of loss of NMD function in vertebrates through targeted disruption of the Rent1 gene in murine embryonic stem cells which encodes a mammalian ortholog of Upf1p. Mice heterozygous for the targeted allele showed no apparent phenotypic abnormalities but homozygosity was never observed, demonstrating that Rent1 is essential for embryonic viability. Homozygous targeted embryos show complete loss of NMD and are viable in the pre-implantation period, but resorb shortly after implantation. Furthermore, Rent1 -/- blastocysts isolated at 3.5 days post-coitum undergo apoptosis in culture following a brief phase of cellular expansion. These data suggest that NMD is essential for mammalian cellular viability and support a critical role for the pathway in the regulated expression of selected physiologic transcripts.
On reversible variable length codes with turbo codes, and iterative source-channel decoding

Motivated by the good performance of reversible variable length codes (RVLCs) and by their growing popularity in video coding standards, we consider RVLCs in combination with turbo codes. We discuss RVLC turbo coding relative to Huffman-turbo coding, and propose a new source-channel decoder that exploits the RVLC structure during the iterative decoding process. We show that the introduced method yields significantly better performance than other VLC-turbo decoding systems.
Inner-city substance abuse patterns: a study of psychiatric inpatients.

Multiple studies have reported about substance abuse in Blacks and Hispanics. However, little is known about substance-abusing psychiatric patients of these ethnic groups. This study reports the prevalence and patterns of substance abuse among 171 consecutive patients (90 Blacks and 81 Hispanics) admitted to the acute psychiatric unit of an inner-city general hospital. The lifetime prevalence was 63%. Within the month prior to admission, 48% had used the following substances: cannabis, 40%; alcohol, 37%; amphetamines, 20%; cocaine, 12%; phencyclidine (PCP), 12%; barbiturates and/or sedative-hypnotics, 10%; opioids, 9%; inhalants, 1%; hallucinogens, 1%. Those who abused alcohol were more likely to abuse barbiturates and/or sedative-hypnotics, and opioids. Logistic regression analysis showed that major depression, ethnicity, and schizophrenia each were significant predictors of particular types of abuse. Patients with major depression were less likely to use PCP, Blacks were more likely than Hispanics to us...
Structure/Function Analysis of the Vaccinia Virus F18 Phosphoprotein, an Abundant Core Component Required for Virion Maturation and Infectivity

Poxvirus virions, whose outer membrane surrounds two lateral bodies and a core, contain at least 70 different proteins. The F18 phosphoprotein is one of the most abundant core components and is essential for the assembly of mature virions. We report here the results of a structure/function analysis in which the role of conserved cysteine residues, clusters of charged amino acids and clusters of hydrophobic/aromatic amino acids have been assessed. Taking advantage of a recombinant virus in which F18 expression is IPTG (isopropyl-beta-d-thiogalactopyranoside) dependent, we developed a transient complementation assay to evaluate the ability of mutant alleles of F18 to support virion morphogenesis and/or to restore the production of infectious virus. We have also examined protein-protein interactions, comparing the ability of mutant and WT F18 proteins to interact with WT F18 and to interact with the viral A30 protein, another essential core component. We show that F18 associates with an A30-containing multiprotein complex in vivo in a manner that depends upon clusters of hydrophobic/aromatic residues in the N' terminus of the F18 protein but that it is not required for the assembly of this complex. Finally, we confirmed that two PSSP motifs within F18 are the sites of phosphorylation by cellular proline-directed kinases in vitro and in vivo. Mutation of both of these phosphorylation sites has no apparent impact on virion morphogenesis but leads to the assembly of virions with significantly reduced infectivity.
Empirical Analysis Of International Mutual Fund Performance

Since 1990 there has been a tremendous growth in the investment in international mutual funds. This growth is likely to continue as domestic stock market cools down and more U.S. investors seek higher returns as well as the diversification benefits of foreign assets. Investors are also attracted to international funds in the belief that such funds earn abnormally high returns because of the previous relative inefficiency in those markets. This study examines the annual risk-adjusted returns using Sharpe’s Index for ten portfolios of international mutual funds for the period September 2000 through September 2006. The international funds were analyzed by combining the funds into individual portfolios based on sector, geographics and company size. The benchmarks for comparison were the U.S. mutual fund performance reported by MorningStar. The risk-adjusted returns were then determined and compared to each other and to the U.S. market. During this period, nine out of ten of the international mutual fund portfolios outperformed the U.S. market. The portfolio that contained all International Mutual Funds (IMF) significantly outperformed on a risk-adjusted basis the fund that was made up of all of the U.S. stock mutual funds, (All U.S. Stock Funds- USSF). Additionally, the Foreign Small Value (FSV) portfolio, Foreign Small Growth (FSG) portfolio, Emerging Markets (EM) portfolio, Latin America (LA) portfolio, and the Pacific Asia without Japan (PA-J) portfolio all had average annual returns (not adjusted for risk) that exceeded USMF’s returns by more than 10 percent.
Diffusion Coefficients Calculated from Satellite Data

Lagrangian parcel statistics are used to estimate the horizontal and vertical diffusion coefficients, Kyy and Kzz, for an inert tracer in the wintertime stratosphere. Ensembles of air parcels are placed on latitude circles and the subsequent parcel trajectories are calculated using winds derived from LIMS satellite data. The diffusion coefficients are then obtained by calculating the time rate of change of the mean squared deviation of the parcels from their center of mass. The calculational procedure for middle and high latitude ensembles is modified to remove the unrealistic ally large initial dispersion resulting from placing parcels on latitude circles. During quiet periods, when the vortex is nearly axisymmetric, Kyy ≤ 7.5 x 105 m 2/s (typically 1–5 x 105 m2/s) and Kzz ≈.1 m 2/s throughout the middle and high latitude stratosphere. For this same domain during a period that included a major warming, Kyy varied between 7.5 x 105 and 3.75 x 106 m2/s throughout the same region, with Kzz varying between .3 and 1.4 m2/s.
Pseudotumor-like syndrome and cerebrospinal fluid leak in meningiomas involving the posterior third of the superior sagittal sinus: Report of 4 cases

Meningiomas that partially or completely occlude the superior sagittal sinus may create a pseudotumor-like syndrome in certain patients. These patients may have impaired CSF absorption as a result of higher proximal venous pressure. Higher pressures after resection may encumber adequate wound healing and worsen symptoms. Here, the authors present a small series of patients with meningiomas involving the posterior third of the superior sagittal sinus, with documented high intracranial pressure prior to surgery. This paper aims to address the proposed etiology of high intracranial pressure in these patients and its associated complications, including CSF leak, wound dehiscence, pressure-related headaches, and visual complaints. In this paper, the authors propose a management plan to avoid wound complications and pseudotumor-related complications. When considering surgical intervention for patients with compromise of the posterior third of the superior sagittal sinus, careful attention must be paid to addressing potentially elevated intracranial pressure perioperatively.
Quality-Adjusted Survival After Treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Childhood: A Q-TWiST Analysis of the Pediatric Oncology Group Study 8821

PURPOSE: To describe quality-of-life considerations in postremission therapies for children with acute myelogenous leukemia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A quality-adjusted survival analysis, using the quality-adjusted time without symptoms or toxicity (Q-TWiST) method, was applied to Pediatric Oncology Group Trial 8821, which compared randomized assignment with intensive consolidation chemotherapy (CC) or autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). Nonrandomized assignment to allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo BMT) on the basis of availability of a matched related donor was also evaluated. A 25-patient cohort provided data for modeling chronic graft-versus-host disease. The Q-TWiST analysis was performed based on the intent-to-treat principle. RESULTS: As previously reported, the 3-year event-free survival was not significantly different between the randomized arms (CC v ABMT). At a median follow-up of 5 years (of the censoring distribution), the CC group had less time in toxicity (TOX) and more ti...
Measurement of the lifetimes of the z^2F_5/2, z^2D_3/2, z^4G_5/2, and y^2D_3/2 states of lanthanum*

The lifetimes of the 5d 6s (1D)6p z2F5/2, 5d 6s (1D)6p z2D3/2, 5d2(3F)6p z4G5/2, and 5d 6s (3D)6p y2D3/2 states of La i have been measured using time-resolved spectroscopy following excitation by a pulsed dye laser. The measured values for the lifetimes are 120 ± 6, 165 ± 8, 51 ± 4, and 18 ± 3 ns, respectively.
Online Robot Simulation for Collaborative Engineering and Education

This paper presents an online robot simulation tool built using X3D, extensible 3D graphics that can be used as either an educational or design tool. A literature review of some current web-based learning tools is outlined in the context of mechanisms and robotics. Also, different web technologies that were tested in the process of building the simulation tool are discussed, along with a technical review of current desktop sharing software available online. Lastly, an example of a virtual robot is presented with the technical design information explained in detail. Enhanced by a robust user interface, the simulation environment is intuitive for users with limited mechanical design background. A powerful “back-end” computational engine is envisioned to allow for various interactive features in simulations to be accomplished.© 2010 ASME
CONTAINING OIL SLICKS IN FLOWS OF FINITE DEPTH

The hydrodynamics of oil slick containment are examined. It is shown that containment is only possible when a densimetric Froude number based on flow velocity and depth and the oil density is less than a critical value. Experiments confirmed that an oil slick was unable to maintain a stationary front when the Froude number exceeded the critical value. It is also shown that viscous effects ultimately limit the thickness and therefore the length and volume of any real slick. Expressions are derived which enable these limits to be determined.
Varieties of Muslim Councils in Europe

This article presents a typology of Muslim councils. The typology identifies two central ways in which these bodies vary: how they are formed (by the government or by the Muslim community) and who can be a member (universal or restricted by sect, ethnicity or national origin). The central claim in this article is that the nature of Muslim council present in a country is indicative of the extent to which Muslims will be incorporated into the policy-making process. Councils that condition representation on membership in a given sect or ethnic heritage are overall less likely to be incorporated in the policy-making process. Compared with those councils created by the Muslim community and elevated to official status, councils created by the state are also less likely to be a part of the policy-making process. In addition, when state-created councils are consulted, it is likely to be perfunctory rather than a meaningful discussion. In order to provide an empirical test to see what relationship, if any, exists between policy outcomes and the type of council in a given country, I look at the process of creating Muslim dress policy in Austria, France and the Netherlands.
Teratogens: an update.

In the years since thalidomide, we have added significantly to our list of known teratogens, but we are still unhappily ignorant about the degree of risk and mechanisms of teratogenesis. Thus, the physician faced with the concern of a pregnant patient confronts difficult dilemmas. Summarizing current knowledge, this presentation also suggests counseling guidelines.
Conclusion: Crisis of Ideologies or Ideologies of Crisis?

The dominant view in the debate concerning the impact of the concept of globalization on the patterns of established political ideologies is that traditional ideological structures have been thoroughly disrupted by the emerging conceptual framework of what could be termed ‘the global imaginary’. From this perspective, it is no longer useful to think in conventional ideological terms - which were coined for the bygone era of cultural homogeneity, uniform national consciousness and class-based political divisions - and in their place a new vocabulary is needed to make sense of a radically different political reality. Analysis of selected representative variants of interpretations of globalization has led me to oppose this claim and accordingly the argument in this book is that established political ideologies are still meaningful categories with which to map the political world. In making the case for the relevance of conventional ideological structures, this book has demonstrated the endurance of their traditional interpretations today and, at the same time, traced in their erstwhile expressions concerns that anticipate those nowadays herded together under the conceptual umbrella of ‘globalization’. But while my discussion has been emphatic of continuity, it should not have left an impression of ideology as a static construct. Indeed, I have identified within major ideologies important conceptual shifts that have resulted from the rise of the idea of globalization. Yet, the argument that I have made posits that so far those changes have been internal to conventional belief systems and that the latter have therefore proved capable of rearticulating their tenets in light of the new circumstances.
"Give sorrow words": lament--contemporary need for Job's old time religion.

The author explores the many meanings and interpretations often assigned to the Book of Job and finds in the notion of lament a particularly helpful understanding, especially for pastoral caregivers often called upon to work with persons experiencing sorrow, loss, and human suffering.
Is the effect of anhedonia on smoking cessation greater for women versus men

Introduction Anhedonia has been recognized as a major risk factor for smoking persistence. Potential gender differences in the effect of anhedonia on smoking cessation have not been studied. Using data from a completed clinical trial of maintenance nicotine patch therapy, we hypothesized that gender would moderate the effect of anhedonia on short-term abstinence, such that anhedonic women would be less likely to achieve abstinence. Methods Participants (N = 525; 50% female, 48.2% Black/African American, average age: 46 years) received 21mg/day nicotine patch and four brief behavior counseling sessions over 8 weeks. Participants were classified at baseline using the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale as anhedonic (scores > 2) or hedonic (scores ≤ 2). Bioverified 7-day point prevalence abstinence was measured at week 8. Using logistic regression analysis, we tested the interaction of anhedonia by gender predicting abstinence, adjusting for age, race, nicotine dependence, and baseline depressive symptomatology. Results Seventy participants (13%) were classified as anhedonic. Men were more likely to be anhedonic than women (16.6% vs. 10.2%, p = .03). Contrary to our hypothesis, the interaction of anhedonic status (hedonic vs. anhedonic) by gender was nonsignificant (p = .18). There was a main effect of hedonic capacity, such that anhedonia predicted abstinence, odds ratio = 3.24, 95% confidence interval = 1.39-7.51, p = .006. Conclusion Both male and female anhedonic smokers were more likely to be abstinent, which contrasts with prior research indicating that anhedonia is a risk factor for difficulty quitting. This unexpected finding may be explained by a possible selective benefit of nicotine patch therapy, which has been observed in some studies to have antidepressant effects. Implications This is the first study to examine whether the association between pretreatment anhedonia and smoking cessation differs by gender. For both women and men, anhedonia was associated with a greater likelihood of abstinence after 8 weeks of treatment with 21mg/day nicotine patch and behavior counseling. Our findings indicate that the association between anhedonia and smoking cessation is not as clear as has been assumed and may depend in part on the type of treatment delivered.
Preference for drinking deionized water over D20in the rat

For 15 days, the daily consumption of deionized water and heavy water was studied in rats exposed to both substances. Although the rats showed no initial preference for either substance, a strong preference for deionized water developed. Retention of this preference was measured 11 days later in an additional 5-day test, and there was no apparent retention decrement 11 days after the original preference test. In the second experiment, an equally strong preference for water was found for rats exposed to 100%, 75%, and 50% concentrations of D20. However, a 25% D20 solution produced a smaller water preference, but significantly greater than controls exposed to 0% D20.
Renaissance Anatomy in the Americas: A Bioarchaeological Perspective on the Earliest Skeletal Evidence of Autopsy in the New World

The discovery of an autopsied colonist who was buried at Saint Croix Island in New France during the winter of 1604–1605 provides a unique opportunity to explore the practice of autopsy in late Renaissance Europe and its transmission to the New World in the Age of Discovery. Currently representing the earliest skeletal evidence of autopsy found in the Americas, this young man’s remains reflect the changing attitudes towards the corpse in Europe that began in the thirteenth century and were promulgated through the Reformation in the 1500s as the Roman Catholic Church’s loosened restrictions on autopsy and dissection coincided with the increasing availability of printed books on anatomy. Combining the skeletal evidence with Samuel de Champlain’s eyewitness accounts, this chapter adopts a biocultural approach to address the issues of social organization, inequality, and marginalization among the 79 stranded Acadian colonists as they faced a deadly crisis of scurvy and starvation.
The Pollyanna Delusion

How can we prevent scholarly literature from being misrepresented? By reading and reacting to it. Nowhere is this more critical than with position papers that have the potential to influence government policies.
Transplantation Into the Mouse Ovarian Fat Pad

Orthotopic transplantation assays in mice are invaluable for studies of cell regeneration and neoplastic transformation. Common approaches for orthotopic transplantation of ovarian surface and tubal epithelia include intraperitoneal and intrabursal administration of cells. The respective limitations of these methods include poorly defined location of injected cells and limited space volume. Furthermore, they are poorly suited for long-term structural preservation of transplanted organs. To address these challenges, we have developed an alternative approach, which is based on the introduction of cells and tissue fragments into the mouse fat pad. The mouse ovarian fat pad is located in the immediate vicinity of the ovary and uterine tube (aka oviduct, fallopian tube), and provides a familiar microenvironment for cells and tissues of these organs. In our approach fluorescence-labeled mouse and human cells, and fragments of the uterine tube are engrafted by using minimally traumatic dorsal incision surgery. Transplanted cells and their outgrowths are easily located in the ovarian fat pad for over 40 days. Long-term transplantation of the entire uterine tube allows correct preservation of all principle tissue components, and does not result in adverse side effects, such as fibrosis and inflammation. Our approach should be uniquely applicable for answering important biological questions such as differentiation, regenerative and neoplastic potential of specific cell populations. Furthermore, it should be suitable for studies of microenvironmental factors in normal development and cancer.
Energy Efficient Volatile Memory Circuits for the IoT Era

This chapter addresses the challenges involved in designing energy efficient embedded volatile Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) circuits for IoT era. It discusses memory design for wide voltage range operation using 6 Transistor (6T), 8T and 10T bitcells and novel circuit assist techniques. In addition, it discusses future memory designs using emerging nano-wire FET, Tunnel FET, III-V FET, and monolithic 3-D technologies.
ANTIDEMENTIA MEDICATION USE IS ASSOCIATED WITH DECREASED INFORMAL COSTS IN MILD DEMENTIA.

Antidementia medication use (ADMU) is associated with a delay in the progression of dementia symptoms, but their association with informal costs of dementia care has not been well-studied. Using the Cache County Dementia Progression Study, a population-based sample of persons with dementia (PWD), we examined daily caregiving hours for 219 PWD (46.9% female, mean (SD) age = 85.8 (5.0) years), which were estimated from the Caregiver Activity Survey. Informal costs were then calculated using the replacement cost method by multiplying hours of care by Utahan median wages in the visit year. Cost was adjusted for inflation using the Medical Consumer Price Index and expressed in 2015 dollars. ADMU was based on inspection of each participant’s medications and interview. Linear mixed models, with gamma log-link function, tested the association between antidementia medications and informal costs. Covariates included: psychotropic and anticholinergic medication use, participant’s health status, gender, and dementia severity (measured by the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale-Sum of Boxes). ADMU was 30.7% at baseline and median informal costs were $9.95/day. Overall, ADMU was not associated with informal costs (expβ = .79, p = .090) in the entire sample. In analyses restricted to participants with mild dementia severity at baseline, ADMU was associated with 28% lower costs (expβ = .72, p = .039). Among covariates, only dementia severity (time-varying) was significantly associated with informal costs. These results suggest that ADMU is associated with lower informal costs, particularly among PWD using these medications while in mild stages of dementia severity.
Comparative analysis of cost-weighted site ranking using alternate distance-based neighboring structures for spatial crash frequency modeling

ABSTRACTThere are significant cost differences between alternate crash outcomes based on severity levels. This study aims to expand existing literature with the inclusion of spatial correlations am...
Cyclic activation of endplate acetylcholine receptors

Agonists turn on receptors because they have a higher affinity for active versus resting conformations of the protein. Activation can occur by either of two pathways that connect to form a cycle: Agonists bind to resting receptors that then become active, or resting receptors activate and then bind agonists. We used mutations to construct endplate acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) having only one functional neurotransmitter-binding site and single-channel electrophysiology to measure independently binding constants for four different agonists, to both resting and active conformations of each site. For all agonists and sites, the total free energy change in each pathway was the same, confirming the activation cycle without external energy. Other results show that (i) there is no cooperativity between sites; (ii) agonist association is slower than diffusion in resting receptors but nearly diffusional in active receptors; (iii) whereas resting affinity is determined mainly by agonist association, active affinity is determined mainly by agonist dissociation; and (iv) at each site and for all agonists, receptor activation approximately doubles the agonist-binding free energy. We discuss a two-step mechanism for binding that involves diffusion and a local conformational change (“catch”) that is modulated by receptor activation. The results suggest that binding to a resting site and the switch to high affinity are both integral parts of a single allosteric transition. We hypothesize that catch ensures proper signal recognition in complex chemical environments and that binding site compaction is a determinant of both resting and active affinity.
MyD88-mediated innate sensing by oral epithelial cells controls periodontal inflammation

Periodontal diseases are a class of non-resolving inflammatory diseases, initiated by a pathogenic subgingival biofilm, in a susceptible host, which if left untreated can result in soft and hard tissue destruction. Oral epithelial cells are the first line of defense against microbial infection within the oral cavity, whereby they can sense the environment through innate immune receptors including toll-like receptors (TLRs). Therefore, oral epithelial cells directly and indirectly contribute to mucosal homeostasis and inflammation, and disruption of this homeostasis or over-activation of innate immunity can result in initiation and/or exacerbation of localized inflammation as observed in periodontal diseases. Dynamics of TLR signaling outcomes are attributable to several factors including the cell type on which it engaged. Indeed, our previously published data indicates that oral epithelial cells respond in a unique manner when compared to canonical immune cells stimulated in a similar fashion. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the role of oral epithelial cell innate sensing on periodontal disease, using a murine poly-microbial model in an epithelial cell specific knockout of the key TLR-signaling molecule MyD88 (B6K5Cre.MyD88plox). Following knockdown of MyD88 in the oral epithelium, mice were infected with Porphorymonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans by oral lavage 4 times per week, every other week for 6 weeks. Loss of oral epithelial cell MyD88 expression resulted in exacerbated bone loss, soft tissue morphological changes, soft tissue infiltration, and soft tissue inflammation following polymicrobial oral infection. Most interestingly while less robust, loss of oral epithelial cell MyD88 also resulted in mild but statistically significant soft tissue inflammation and bone loss even in the absence of a polymicrobial infection. Together these data demonstrate that oral epithelial cell MyD88-dependent TLR signaling regulates the immunological balance within the oral cavity under conditions of health and disease.
Acute versus sustained hypoproteinemia and posttraumatic pulmonary edema

We compared the effect of an acute protein depletion versus a sustained protein depletion on pulmonary edema formation. Acute hypoproteinemia was produced either by a rapid plasmapheresis or as the result of acute hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation. Sustained hypoproteinemia was produced by a 24-hour plasmapheresis or as the result of a 50% body burn. Unanesthetized sheep with lung lymph fistulas were used as the experimental model. In the acute depletion groups an early twofold to threefold increase in lymph flow was seen, reflecting an increase in fluid flux, across the microcirculation, with the increase in lymph flow after resuscitation from shock being identical to that seen in a nonshocked animal with a comparable protein depletion. With restoration of the plasma-lymph oncotic gradient, the lymph flow returned to baseline. The lymph protein content always exceeded 2 gm/dl. In the sustained depletion groups the lymph flow also increased twofold to threefold but remained elevated for over 48 hours despite a rapid restoration of plasma-lymph oncotic gradient. The increase in fluid flux after burn was identical to that after protein depletion alone. In these groups the lymph protein content was below 2 gm/dl, indicating a significant interstitial protein depletion. We conclude that a marked increase in fluid flux is seen after sustained protein depletion that is unrelated to oncotic pressure. This process appears to be related to the degree of washout of interstitial protein, possibly decreasing the viscosity of the interstitial matrix, leading to a more rapid edema formation.
Cell surface enzymes: effects on mitotic activity and cell adhesion.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses cell surface enzymes and its effects on mitotic activity and cell adhesion. Enzymes and substrates located on the external surface of the plasma membrane of the cell mediate a variety of cellular interactions, including cell-cell adhesion, cell-cell recognition, and cell-cell communication. The cell surface enzymes or, more accurately, enzymes active at the external cell surface, mediate genomic events, in particular, cellular mitosis. The plasma membrane has come a long way from being thought of simply as an inert barrier which functions to define inside from outside for a cell. Not only the external surface of the cell communicates with its environment but also it may be important in determining cell events such as mitosis and cell adhesion. It is evident that, although much of the enzyme-substrate work in its relation to cell interactions has been performed on glycoprotein glycosyltransferase ectoenzyme systems, any enzyme-substrate system, if present, may function in a similar or even more efficient manner thermodynamically.
Evaluation of white blood cell count at time of discharge is associated with limited oral antibiotic therapy in children with complicated appendicitis.

Abstract Background Variation exists for postoperative antibiotics in children with complicated appendicitis. We investigated the impact of white blood count (WBC) at discharge on oral antibiotic therapy, abscess rate, and readmission rate. Material/Methods We conducted a two year review of children with complicated appendicitis. In the pre-protocol group, total antibiotic therapy was ten days (IV and oral) and home oral antibiotics at discharge. In the post-protocol group, children with leukocytosis were prescribed oral antibiotics to complete seven days of total antibiotic therapy and children without leukocytosis were not prescribed oral home antibiotics. Results There was no difference between mean hospital days after operation (3.52 vs. 3.24, p = 0.5111), means days of inpatient intravenous antibiotics (3.13 vs. 2.58, p = 0.5438), post-operative abscess rates (20.7% vs. 19.6%, p = 0.9975), or readmission rate (13.4% vs. 12.4%, p = 1.000). The post-protocol group had a shorter average total antibiotic duration (4.24 vs. 9.52 days, p Discussion Limiting home antibiotics at discharge to children with leukocytosis significantly decreases home antibiotic use.
An Overview of the Tailored Surgical Approach to Rectal Cancer

The approach to the patient with rectal cancer should be conducted in a systematic and methodical approach which will ensure that the proper histological diagnosis, staging, and subsequent treatment modalities are performed with the highest standards. Surgical treatment of rectal cancer should be performed by surgeons in centers with special knowledge, training, and experience in the multidisciplinary treatment of these tumors. Treatment of adenocarcinoma of the rectum has undergone a major change over the last 20 years, one that has been seldom seen in other solid tumors. The surgeon plays an integral part of the multidisciplinary team, and his or her role represents a prognostic factor for the successful treatment of this disease. This chapter focuses on an overview of how these patients are approached from a surgical standpoint and what criteria are used to decide which operation or treatment is best for each specific patient.
Preclinical Development of a vWF Aptamer to Limit Thrombosis and Engender Arterial Recanalization of Occluded Vessels.

Endothelial surface and circulating glycoprotein von Willebrand factor (vWF) regulates platelet adhesion and is associated with thrombotic diseases, including ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, and peripheral vascular disease. Thrombosis, as manifested in these diseases, is the leading cause of disability and death in the western world. Current parenteral antithrombotic and thrombolytic agents used to treat these conditions are limited by a short therapeutic window, irreversibility, and major risk of hemorrhage. To overcome these limitations, we developed a novel anti-vWF aptamer, called DTRI-031, that selectively binds and inhibits vWF-mediated platelet adhesion and arterial thrombosis while enabling rapid reversal of this antiplatelet activity by an antidote oligonucleotide (AO). Aptamer DTRI-031 exerts dose-dependent inhibition of platelet aggregation and thrombosis in whole blood and mice, respectively. Moreover, DTRI-031 can achieve potent vascular recanalization of platelet-rich thrombotic occlusions in murine and canine carotid arteries. Finally, DTRI-031 activity is rapidly (
In vivo cervical facet capsule distraction: mechanical implications for whiplash and neck pain

While extensive research points to mechanical injury of the cervical facet joint as a mechanism of whiplash injury, findings remain speculative regarding its potential for causing pain. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between facet joint distraction, capsular ligament strain, cellular nociceptive responses, and pain. A novel rat model of in vivo facet joint injury was used to impose C6/C7 joint distraction in separate studies of subcatastrophic and physiologic vertebral distraction, as well as sham procedures. A common clinical measure of behavioral hypersensitivity (allodynia) was measured for 14 days after injury, as quantification of resulting pain symptoms. Also, on day 14, spinal activation of microglia and astrocytes was quantified to examine the potential role of glial activation as a physiologic mechanism of facet-mediated painful injury. Vertebral distractions of 0.90±0.53 mm across the rat facet joint reliably produced symptoms of persistent pain. Allodynia results showed immediate and sustained behavioral sensitivity following subcatastrophic vertebral distractions; pain symptoms were significantly greater (p<0.008) than those for other injury groups. Further, spinal astrocytic activation was also greater (p=0.049) for subcatastrophic injuries compared to lower distraction magnitudes. The mean maximum principal strain in the capsular ligament for joint distractions of 0.57±0.11 mm was 27.7±11.9%. Findings suggest that facet capsule strains comparable to those previously reported for whiplash kinematics and subcatastrophic failures of this ligament have the potential to produce pain symptoms and alter one element of nociception. Results further suggest that a mechanical threshold likely exists for painful joint distraction, providing behavioral and physiologic evidence of the cervical facet joint's mechanical injury as a source of neck pain.
Effect of Surgery-Specific Opioid-Prescribing Education in a Safety-Net Hospital.

Abstract Background As the nation works to improve the opioid epidemic, safer opioid prescribing is needed. Prescriber education is one method to assist with this aim. To gauge current surgical residents’ opioid prescribing practices at a safety-net hospital, an evaluation was completed before a general surgery–specific opioid prescribing education (OPE) session. The effectiveness of this OPE was measured through a postparticipation evaluation. Methods A voluntary, anonymous evaluation immediately before and after a one-hour OPE session was performed at an urban safety-net hospital. Descriptive statistics and Student’s t-test comparisons of means were performed to analyze the results. Results Twenty-three residents completed the surveys. Eleven (47.8%) completed prior OPE with the most common modality being online (7, 63.6%). No participant performed an opioid risk assessment before prescribing opioids. More than half of the residents (14, 60.9%) never used the prescription drug monitoring program. Less than 1/3 (7, 30.4%) used preoperative gabinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin) for elective surgeries. Only two residents provided information on unused opioid disposal. After the OPE, the participants were more likely to prescribe preoperative gabinoids (7 versus 21, P Conclusion A short OPE delivered to surgical residents at a safety-net hospital significantly improved the use of preoperative gabinoids. Although the pill count reductions after the OPE were not statistically significant, there was a consistent reduction in amount of opiates prescribed after the OPE. However, clinical significance is important, as a reduction in any amount of opioid medication can help deter misuse and diversion. This suggests resident surgeons could participate in a specialty-specific OPE to improve opioid prescribing.
Translanguaging by Design in EFL Classrooms

ABSTRACTThis study presents the analysis of a translanguaging by design activity I conducted with students finishing an EFL program at a Costa Rican university, for which I showed them pictures of ...
Patient Satisfaction with Pharmacist Video Visits in an Outpatient Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Clinic

Introduction The number of HCT recipients and survivors continues to increase worldwide. With this growth, strategies are needed to improve delivery and access to HCT. We implemented video visits for patients and pharmacists in our HCT clinic in 2016 and initiated a cross-sectional, self-administered, descriptive survey study of patient satisfaction in outpatient adult HCT patients. Objective To determine if patient satisfaction with a pharmacist video visit is non-inferior to a face-to-face, in-clinic pharmacist visit in HCT patients. Methods Patients self-allocated to either face-to-face or video visits for future appointments after having at least one face-to-face pharmacist visit. Survey questions were based on the Health-Systems Alliance for Integrated Medication Management (HAIMM) survey. The primary endpoint to assess if pharmacist video visits are non-inferior to face-to-face visits was based on response to the question “Overall, how would you rate the quality of care and services you received from the pharmacist?” using a Likert-scale from 1 to 5 (excellent to poor). Secondary endpoints include likelihood of medication reconciliation using the medication bottles in patients with video visits compared with face-to-face visits and pharmacist satisfaction with video visits versus face-to-face visits. The average length of visit, delays, and total time spent per patient were captured to describe time efficiency differences between pharmacist video visits and pharmacist face-to-face visits. Results To date, 111 patients in the face to face arm and 20 patients in the video arm have completed surveys. The survey response rate to the 15-question survey in the face-to-face arm is 100% and 43% in the video arm. Overall, 95% of patients had high satisfaction (rated excellent or very good) with video visits in comparison to 99% in the control group (p = 0.25). Table 1 summarizes other patient satisfaction responses to the survey. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating pharmacist involvement in telemedicine with HCT patients. Our preliminary results indicate patient satisfaction is high with both face-to-face and video appointments. Accrual to the video arm has been slow. We hypothesize enrollment is limited by restriction of patient enrollment to patients physically located in a state where the pharmacist is licensed at the time of the video visit.
A proximity‐based image‐processing algorithm for colloid assignment in segmented multiphase flow datasets

Colloidal transport and deposition are of both environmental and engineering importance. Easier access to x-ray microtomography (XMT) coupled with improved imaging resolution has made XMT a unique and viable tool for visualizing and quantifying these processes. Currently, there is scant information in the literature addressing colloid segmentation and analysis in saturated and unsaturated porous media, in particular related to spatial partitioning of colloids. To support this need, an approach to assign segmented colloidal particles and aggregates to different partitioning classes based on their proximity to different phases is presented here. The method uses different markers for each attachment site (e.g. wetting-nonwetting phase interfaces). An example XMT dataset from a drainage experiment is used to demonstrate the efficacy of the image processing algorithms. Flow conditions, and fluid and colloid properties, can thus be compared to the behaviour of colloids within the porous medium. This algorithm can help elucidate colloidal deposition mechanisms and the importance of different attachment sites, explore the importance of fluid properties, as well as the arrangement and shape of the colloids.
“Would I Were in an Alehouse in London!”: The Rhetoric of Drink in the Henriad

This article approaches the trope of the alehouse as a central social space in the negotiation of transitional and transformational early modern class relations, arguing that the metonymic represen...
Framework and Tools for Undergraduates Designing RISC-V Processors on an FPGA in Computer Architecture Education

Arguably, each computer engineer undergrad should build a simple processor in the pursuit of their degree to help them internalize the basic design principles and properties of a computer. With the proliferation of FPGAs in universities this is, easily, realizable in most undergraduate curricula. Many modern courses on computer architecture or organization rely on MIPS architectures (among others) as the base processor to learn with, but the MIPS architecture has little commercial success and real-world implementations that will allow students to get additional career benefit from building and learning about a used architecture. The increasing industrial interest of RISCV ISA, its free availability, and its early success in real-world adoption makes this processor a great potential candidate in this educational space. This work provides suggestions on how undergraduates should build a RISC-V architecture on an FPGA, and a basic framework of tools and design principles for this exercise.
Microbiological concerns and methodological approaches related to bacterial water quality in spaceflight

A number of microbiological issues are of critical importance to crew health and system performance in spacecraft water systems. This presentation reviews an army of these concerns which include factors that influence water treatment and disinfection in spaceflight such as biofilm formation and the physiological responses of bacteria in clean water systems. Factors associated with spaceflight like aerosol formation under conditions of microgravity are also discussed within the context of airborne infections such as Legionellosis. Finally, a spectrum of analytical approaches is reviewed to provide an evaluation of methodological alternatives that have been suggested or used to detect microorganisms of interest in water systems. These range from classical approaches employing colony formation on specific microbiological growth media to direct (i.e. microscopic) and indirect (e.g. electrochemical) methods as well as the use of molecular approaches and gene probes. These techniques are critically evaluated for their potential utility in determining microbiological water quality through the detection of microorganisms under the influence of ambient environmental stress inherent in spaceflight water systems.
The short-acting synthetic cannabinoid AB-FUBINACA induces physical dependence in mice.

Abstract Background Recent years have seen a rise in the diversity and use of synthetic cannabinoids. The present study evaluated the behavioral effects of the third-generation indazole-3-carboxamide-type synthetic cannabinoid, AB-FUBINACA. Methods Adult male and female C57BL/6J mice were treated with AB-FUBINACA (0−3 mg/kg, i.p.) and tested repeatedly in the tetrad battery measuring catalepsy, antinociception, hypothermia, and locomotor activity. Mice treated with AB-FUBINACA (≥2 mg/kg, i.p.) displayed classic cannabinoid effects in the tetrad that were blocked by the CB1 receptor selective antagonist rimonabant. To address tolerance and withdrawal effects, a second group of mice was injected with AB-FUBINACA (3 mg/kg, s.c.) or vehicle consisting of 5% ethanol, 5% Kolliphor EL, and 90 % saline every 12 h and tested daily in modified tetrad over the course of 5 days. On the 6th day, withdrawal was precipitated using rimonabant (3 mg/kg, s.c.), and somatic signs of withdrawal (i.e., head twitches and paw tremors) were quantified. Results Although mice did not develop tolerance to AB-FUBINACA or cross-tolerance to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC; 50 mg/kg, i.p.), somatic precipitated withdrawal signs were observed. Repeated tetrad testing up to 48 h post injection indicated that AB-FUBINACA effects are relatively short-lived, as compared with THC. Brain levels of AB-FUBINACA, as quantified by UHPLC-MS/MS, were undetectable 4 h post injection. Conclusions These data indicate that the cannabinoid effects of AB-FUBINACA are relatively short-lived, yet sufficient to induce dependence in mice.