cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A model of recovery from inhalation injury and cutaneous burn in ambulatory swine

Inhalation injury commonly accompanies thermal injury, increasing the likelihood of mortality and multiple organ dysfunction (MOD). Large animal models have given important insight into the pathophysiology of this injury; however recapitulating late MOD has remained difficult. The current report describes experiments using a smoke inhalation and burn model, with follow-up of ambulatory swine for 14days with bronchoscopy, CT scanning, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)/blood collection. Clinically, animals cleared airway damage in the first several days after-injury. This was mirrored with erythematous airways on day 2 after-injury, which resolved by the end of the experiment, as did parenchymal damage seen on CT. An initial rise in the protein content of BALF immediately after-injury was followed by a dramatic increase in the concentration of leukocytes. Circulating neutrophils increased while lymphocytes decreased; both correlated with cell counts in BALF. IL8 levels in BALF increased 30-fold and remained elevated throughout the experiment. IL1ra increased circulation immediately after-injury, and afterwards in BALF. Other cytokines (TNFα, IL12) transiently increased in BALF (and decreased in circulation) on day 2. Taken together, these results display a remarkable capability for the lungs to recover in the absence of intubation, with further evidence of the role of cytokines such as IL8 and IL1ra. The possible exacerbating effects of clinical practices such as ventilation and bronchoscopies should be considered.
The role of spillover in the hydrogenation of oxygenates adsorbed on Ni/Al2O3

Abstract Hydrogenation of organic oxygenates adsorbed on the Al2O3 support of a Ni/Al2O3 catalyst was studied by temperature-programmed reaction (TPR). Since H2 adsorbs on the Ni surface, but not the Al2O3 surface, while the organic molecules (CH3OH, (CH3)2O, C2H5OH, l-C3H7OH, HCOOH) adsorb on the A12O3 surface, a spillover process is necessary for the oxygenates to be hydrogenated to CH4. The rates of CH4 formation from these five organic molecules are almost identical and are similar to rates measured for hydrogenation of CH3O formed from coadsorbed CO and H2. The same rate-determining step appears to limit all these hydrogenations.
Linearized Solution to Inlet Equation with Inertia

The present note describes a solution technique using a linearization technique of equation friction-work over the tidal cycle in a nonlinear approach to form of bay tide.
Relationship between self-efficacy and patient knowledge on adherence to oral contraceptives using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8)

Preconception care, including family planning, is a vital component of healthcare for women of reproductive age. An average female spends the majority of her reproductive life trying to prevent a pregnancy. In order to prevent unintended pregnancy, women often rely on the use of hormonal contraceptives. In the United States, the majority of hormonal contraceptive users are prescribed oral contraceptive pills (OCPs). Reduced adherence to OCPs decreases their ability to prevent pregnancy. The study aimed to measure OCP adherence among female college students, and explore the relationship between OCP adherence, knowledge, and self-efficacy. This cross-sectional study recruited a random sample of female college students to participate in an online survey. OCP adherence was based on the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Secondary reporting of medication adherence included participant reports of the number of missed OCP doses in the previous month and typical month of use. Of the 5000 invited, 1559 (31.3%) completed the survey. Of those responding, 670 (41.3%) reported use of OCPs. A total of 293 (44.3%) OCP users met criteria for low adherence, 241 (36.4%) met criteria for medium adherence, and 128 (19.3%) met criteria for high adherence. Those with high adherence had higher self-efficacy (P < 0.001) and perceived knowledge (p < 0.001). After controlling for other factors, self-efficacy (b = .37) and perceived knowledge (b = .09) remained associated with OCP adherence. Less than 20% of respondents met the criteria for high adherence to OCPs. Self-efficacy and knowledge were associated with higher OCP adherence. Targeted interventions from healthcare providers, health educators, and other adherence related media to increase the knowledge and self-efficacy of patients using OCPs may improve adherence rates. Additional research is needed to evaluate the impact of innovative interventions focused on social and behavioral patient factors, like knowledge and self-efficacy, on adherence to OCPs.
An intelligent control architecture for accelerator beamline tuning

This paper discusses a new architecture for accelerator tuning that combines heuristic and knowledge based methods with traditional approaches to control. Control of particle accelerators requires a hybrid architecture, which includes methodologies for planning, intelligent search, and pattern recognition. Control is distributed and hierarchical to utilize parallel problem-solving in the face of time-sensitive control requirements and to decompose complex control problems into more manageable subtasks. For perspective, we discuss past attempts at accelerator control and why these attempts left many issues unresolved. We describe the details of our control architecture along with its motivation. We then report the results of deploying and testing it at two accelerator facilities. This paper ends with a discussion of the commercial importance of this work.
Reflections on Curren and Metzger

Curren and Metzger focus on the inadequacy of the Brundtland commission sustainability definition (United Nations Commission on Environment & Development, 1987). However, very few differences need ...
Long-Term Outcome of Hip Arthroplasty in the Setting of Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis.

Abstract Background Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a rare, benign, painful proliferation of the synovium previously treated successfully with total hip arthroplasty (THA). Published results come from small series; therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the outcomes of THA in the setting of PVNS. Methods We identified 25 patients with histologically confirmed, diffuse PVNS who underwent THA between 1971 and 2013. Mean follow-up and age was 10 years and 39 years. Before arthroplasty, 16 patients (64%) had at least 1 surgical procedure (mean, 1; range, 1-3) to treat PVNS. Twenty (80%) patients had “active” disease and underwent synovectomy. No constrained acetabular components were used. Results The 10-year disease free-survival was 100%. Recurrence occurred in 1 patient at 24 years postoperatively. Nineteen patients (76%) sustained a complication (most commonly component loosening (n = 12 [48%]), and 16 required revision surgery. The 10-year revision-free survival was 66% for conventional polyethylene implants and 100% for highly cross-linked polyethylene devices. Mean Harris Hip Score improved significantly from 48 (range, 23-69) preoperatively to 78 (range, 47-96) postoperatively (P Conclusion THA in the setting of PVNS improves patient function with a low rate of local recurrence. Complication and revision rates are high in this series likely owing to the young and active patient population and the use of conventional polyethylene. Modern bearings theoretically reduce the risk of revision.
Keynote Address: Component Design Theory: Instructional Design for Courseware Authoring

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the instructional design theory that will promote not merely more sophisticated programing but more importantly more effective instruction. Most contemporary instructional design theory and much traditional CAI are based on the Branching Programmed Instruction Model. It presents a model often called tutorial CAI. Tutorials are best in two circumstances: (1) they allow students to focus their attention while interacting with a more experiential representation of some phenomena; and (2) they help them to overcome misconceptions or misunderstandings after having explored some experiential environment. However, when it comes to primary instruction, tutorial conversations are seldom sufficient. The computer can be a coach or advisor to watch over the student's shoulder while he performs experiments, designs apparatus, and solves problems. When the student is in trouble, the computer can intervene to help the student with the problem, provide missing information, or guide the student down a different path.
Abstract 2828: MMR status affects efficiency of homologous recombination repair of F10-induced DNA DSBs

Background: DNA mismatch repair (MMR) is an important stratification factor in colorectal cancer (CRC). 10-20% of sporadic CRC cases display high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) due to DNA mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency, and these are refractory to current fluoropyrimidine (FP) chemotherapy. Our studies with DNA-directed FP polymers, such as F10, indicate they are highly effective regardless of MMR-deficiency consistent with inducing MMR-independent cell death. We investigate the role of MMR-status on potency of F10 and induction of DNA damage and activation of the DNA damage response as part of an overall effort to determine if fluoropyrimidine polymers can be used effectively in the treatment of MMR-deficient CRC. Methods: Studies were conducted using MMR-deficient HCT-116 CRC cells and HCT-116 3-6 cells. Potency was assessed by cell-titer glo and clonogenic assays. Replication stress was evaluated by DNA fiber combing. DNA damage and activation of the DNA damage response was evaluated by Western blots for gH2AX, Chk1 activation, and proteins important for homologous recombination repair. Results: F10 is highly potent to CRC cells regardless of MMR status and is ~1,000-fold more potent than 5-FU to MMR-deficient HCT-116 cells. The increased potency of F10 parallels increased efficiency at causing replication fork slowing as assessed by DNA fiber analysis. F10 causes DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) and activates Chk1 consistent with causing replication fork collapse. DNA DSBs, Chk1 activation, and upregulation of FANCD2, which mediates HR-repair of DNA DSBs all show a marked MMR-dependence consistent with hMLH1 being a factor in HR-mediated repair of F10-induced DNA DSBs. Conclusions: F10 is highly potent to CRC cells regardless of MMR status via a mechanism involving replication fork slowing and increased replication stress. MMR status affects basal levels of proteins involved in HR and the upregulation of these proteins in response to F10 treatment. Our studies indicate FP polymers are likely to be generally effective in CRC regardless of MMR status however MMR status may be an important factor in a personalized medicine approach to their use as combination with Chk1 inhibitors and other drugs modulating the DNA damage response may depend on MMR status. Citation Format: William H. Gmeiner, Chinnadurai Mani, Komaraiah Palle. MMR status affects efficiency of homologous recombination repair of F10-induced DNA DSBs [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2828.
Correlation of surface integrity with processing parameters and advanced interface cooling/lubrication in burnishing of Ti-6Al-4V alloy

ABSTRACTBurnishing (also known as deep rolling) is a chipless finishing process used to improve the surface integrity of metals by severe plastic deformation (SPD) of surface asperities. As surface integrity has a large impact upon the functional performance of aerospace components and assemblies, burnishing is a means of significantly increasing the cyclical fatigue life of critical components, such as turbine and compressor airfoils. The objective of this study was to evaluate the process- induced surface integrity of Ti-6Al-4V alloy as a function of number of overlapping passes, loading force, as well as feed and speed, for four cooling/lubrication conditions: conventional flood cooling (emulsion), minimum quantity lubrication (MQL), cryogenic cooling (LN2) and hybrid cooling/lubrication (MQL+LN2). Analysis revealed that all examined burnishing parameters, with the exception of speed, play a fundamental role in controlling the processed surface integrity and thus also in the likely functional performan...
Flux Correction and Overturning Stability: Insights from a Dynamical Box Model

AbstractA recent paper suggested that the global climate models used to project future climate changes may significantly overestimate the stability of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulatio...
Electron sources based on diamond pin-diodes

Efficient electron sources are of ongoing interest in particular for high power terrestrial and space telecommunications and radar applications. With conventional cathode technology based on thermionic- and field electron emission a novel approach for direct electron emission is realized through a diamond pin diode. Electrons injected into the conduction band of the intrinsic layer of the diode can be released into vacuum with a negative electron affinity surface of of the i-layer. The diamond pin diodes were prepared on boron doped (p-type) substrates with (111) surface orientation. A high purity intrinsic and a phosphorus doped diamond layer (n-type, \sim400 nm thickness) were deposited in dedicated PECVD systems, respectively. An additional contact layer comprised of nanostructured carbon was grown in a dedicated PECVD. The layered device was processed by lithography utilizing an aluminum hard mask to etch mesa structures with diameters ranging from 50 $\mu$ m to 200 $\mu$ m. The final devices were treated in a pure hydrogen plasma to induce the negative electron affinity properties of the i-layer. After an annealing step in high vacuum individual pin diodes were biased in forward current and voltages up to 20V. The observation of light from the diode was attributed to the UV exciton state and indicated bipolar transport. At a diode current of about 80mA an electron emission current of 25 $\mu$ A was observed from a single 200 $\mu$ m diameter diode.
Gradient Analysis of Biomass in Costa Rica and a First Estimate of Countrywide Emissions of Greenhouse Gases from Biomass Burning

Publisher Summary Costa Rica is a well-studied country from the perspective of its biota. A prominent feature holds implications for future management of greenhouse gas emissions in Costa Rica and other tropical areas. If clearing of the dry and moist forest formations throughout the world has or will shift to clearing of wetter forests, much greater quantities of trace GHGs will be released. Information gathering should include a thorough evaluation of carbon stores in dead plant materials (litter, organic soil horizons, dead wood). Such information could provide additional insight into an analysis. The high-elevation forests may, in some cases, have thick organic soil horizons and large amounts of downed wood. Therefore, the biomass density remaining there might be even greater relative to other forest types than currently appears to be the case. If there is any hope for sustainability of resources in Costa Rica, the forests should be a good candidate, but the forests are a large source of carbon. A reforestation program could make Costa Rica a carbon sink, but stopping deforestation appears to have a much larger impact. The productivity of moist forests is sufficient to sequester all CO2 released from fossil fuel burning if a very large proportion of the land area of the country was devoted to that.
Modular design: Implementing proven engineering principles in biotechnology.

Abstract Modular design is at the foundation of contemporary engineering, enabling rapid, efficient, and reproducible construction and maintenance of complex systems across applications. Remarkably, modularity has recently been discovered as a governing principle in natural biological systems from genes to proteins to complex networks within a cell and organism communities. The convergent knowledge of natural and engineered modular systems provides a key to drive modern biotechnology to address emergent challenges associated with health, food, energy, and the environment. Here, we first present the theory and application of modular design in traditional engineering fields. We then discuss the significance and impact of modular architectures on systems biology and biotechnology. Next, we focus on the very recent theoretical and experimental advances in modular cell engineering that seeks to enable rapid and systematic development of microbial catalysts capable of efficiently synthesizing a large space of useful chemicals. We conclude with an outlook towards theoretical and practical opportunities for a more systematic and effective application of modular cell engineering in biotechnology.
Somatostatin in Gastrointestinal Function: Intestinal Absorption and Secretion

Somatostatin, a 14-amino acid peptide with a growth hormone release inhibition property, was initially isolated from sheep hypothalami (1). Later, the peptide was isolated or detected in many organ systems of all mammalians as well as lower animals.
Fixed energy universality of Dyson Brownian motion

Abstract We consider Dyson Brownian motion for classical values of β with deterministic initial data V. We prove that the local eigenvalue statistics coincide with the GOE/GUE in the fixed energy sense after time t ≳ 1 / N if the density of states of V is bounded above and below down to scales η ≪ t in a window of size L ≫ t . Our results imply that fixed energy universality holds for essentially any random matrix ensemble for which averaged energy universality was previously known. Our methodology builds on the homogenization theory developed in [16] which reduces the microscopic problem to a mesoscopic problem. As an auxiliary result we prove a mesoscopic central limit theorem for linear statistics of various classes of test functions for classical Dyson Brownian motion.
Plant disease identification using explainable 3D deep learning on hyperspectral images

Hyperspectral imaging is emerging as a promising approach for plant disease identification. The large and possibly redundant information contained in hyperspectral data cubes makes deep learning based identification of plant diseases a natural fit. Here, we deploy a novel 3D deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) that directly assimilates the hyperspectral data. Furthermore, we interrogate the learnt model to produce physiologically meaningful explanations. We focus on an economically important disease, charcoal rot, which is a soil borne fungal disease that affects the yield of soybean crops worldwide. Based on hyperspectral imaging of inoculated and mock-inoculated stem images, our 3D DCNN has a classification accuracy of 95.73% and an infected class F1 score of 0.87. Using the concept of a saliency map, we visualize the most sensitive pixel locations, and show that the spatial regions with visible disease symptoms are overwhelmingly chosen by the model for classification. We also find that the most sensitive wavelengths used by the model for classification are in the near infrared region (NIR), which is also the commonly used spectral range for determining the vegetative health of a plant. The use of an explainable deep learning model not only provides high accuracy, but also provides physiological insight into model predictions, thus generating confidence in model predictions. These explained predictions lend themselves for eventual use in precision agriculture and research application using automated phenotyping platforms.
Upper Extremity Surgery in Tetraplegia and the Online Information Void.

Background: People with tetraplegia lack awareness of, and subsequently underutilize, reconstructive surgery to improve upper extremity function. This is a topic of international discussion. To bri...
History of Gender Identity and Surgical Alteration of the Genitalia

As we continue to refine surgical procedures, medical professionals should not only be familiar with current literature and research but also understand the history of gender-related surgery. Like any historical survey, the history of gender surgery is limited by the documentation of historic examples and practices, the reliability of this documentation, and the ways that current thinking views the past. Nonetheless, the purpose is to present surgical interventions for gender identity as part of a longer continuum. The goal is to allow historical cases to assist today’s practitioners in serving their patients.
The Impact of a Limb Preservation Service on the Incidence of Major Amputations for All Indications at a Level I Trauma Center.

Abstract Objectives Multidisciplinary limb preservation services (LPS) have improved the care of patients with limb-threatening vascular disease. However, the impact of an LPS on major amputations for non-vascular etiologies is unknown. We sought to characterize the trends in major amputations performed at a level I trauma center following the institution of an LPS. Methods A retrospective review of all patients undergoing amputation at a level I trauma center from January 2009 to December 2018 was performed. Patients were divided into two cohorts: those undergoing amputation pre-LPS (2009-2013) and post-LPS (2014-2018). Major amputations were defined as any amputation at or proximal to the below-knee level. Indications for amputation included chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI), acute limb ischemia (ALI), trauma, infection, and revision amputations. Results During the study period, 609 major amputations were performed, 490 pre-LPS and 119 post-LPS, representing a 76% reduction. Reductions were seen for every indication, including trauma (95%), ALI (90%), chronic infection (83%), revision (79%), CLTI (68%), and acute infection (62%). Conclusions Although previous work has validated the role of an LPS in advanced vascular disease, its value extends beyond vascular disease alone. The drastic reductions seen in the number of amputations performed for a variety of indications, including trauma and diabetic foot infections, further validates the use of a multidisciplinary LPS.
Angiogenesis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma; Pathophysiology, Targeted Therapy, and Role of Imaging

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common tumors worldwide, usually occurring on a background of liver cirrhosis. HCC is a highly vascular tumor in which angiogenesis plays a major role in tumor growth and spread. Tumor-induced angiogenesis is usually related to a complex interplay between multiple factors and pathways, with vascular endothelial growth factor being a major player in angiogenesis. In the past decade, understanding of tumor-induced angiogenesis has led to the emergence of novel anti-angiogenic therapies, which act by reducing neo-angiogenesis, and improving patient survival. Currently, Sorafenib and Lenvatinib are being used as the first-line treatment for advanced unresectable HCC. However, a disadvantage of these agents is the presence of numerous side effects. A major challenge in the management of HCC patients being treated with anti-angiogenic therapy is effective monitoring of treatment response, which decides whether to continue treatment or to seek second-line treatment. Several criteria can be used to assess response to treatment, such as quantitative perfusion on cross-sectional imaging and novel/emerging MRI techniques, including a host of known and emerging biomarkers and radiogenomics. This review addresses the pathophysiology of angiogenesis in HCC, accurate imaging assessment of angiogenesis, monitoring effects of anti-angiogenic therapy to guide future treatment and assessing prognosis.
Standardization and reproducibility in EV research: the support of a Quality Management System

Abstract Scientific research is becoming increasingly competitive, requiring researchers to continuously improve and enhance their performance, and technologically complex, raising issues as reliability and reproducibility of the data as well as standardization of the methodologies. Moreover, globalization and emergence of new markets had a great impact on funding agencies, that encouraged scientists to develop visionary ideas and outstanding technologies to respond to the needs of society. The study of extracellular vesicles (EVs) is emerging as an extremely promising field for biomedical, nutraceutical and cosmetic applications, and the scientific community working on EVs is facing key challenges to realize the EV promise. The implementation of Quality Management (QM) tools can be extremely valid for scientists to successfully overcome these challenges. It is fundamental, however, that QM is customized on the requirements, needs, expectations and resources of investigators, to be really helpful in research project and activities. In this chapter, we introduce the history, principles and standards of QM and show some examples of its implementation in the context of public research institutions. Then, we focus on key features and main challenges of the EV research, including the standardization of procedures and technologies to guarantee reliability and reproducibility of the data. Finally, we present the QM approach developed for the VES4US research project, whose objective is to realize a radical new platform for production, isolation and functionalization of EVs from a natural source. The tools utilized and the models developed can be incorporated in a roadmap for the effective and efficient scientific management of innovative and multidisciplinary projects, specially focusing on EVs.
Outcomes of Botulinum Toxin Injection for Shoulder Internal Rotation Contractures in Infants with Brachial Plexus Birth Injury.

Purpose Shoulder internal rotation contractures (IRC) are common sequela of brachial plexus birth injuries (BPBI). Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injection into targeted muscles has been described to facilitate functional improvement at the shoulder joint and prevent glenohumeral dysplasia. The purpose of this study was to assess the outcomes of BTX-A injections on shoulder IRC in children with BPBI. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 47 children with shoulder IRC due to BPBI, who were treated with BTX-A. Shoulder passive external rotation in adduction and Active Movement Scale external rotation scores were recorded before and after BTX-A injection. We also recorded the number of children who underwent secondary surgical balancing procedures to improve shoulder motion after BTX-A injection. Results Mean age at the time of injection was 12 months (range, 5–23 months). Subjects demonstrated a significant increase in passive external rotation of 46° (range, 10° to 90) at 4 months; an average improvement of 18° (range, –30° to 80°) persisted at 11 months after injection. A total of 28 patients (60%) underwent subsequent external rotation tendon transfer. At 5-year follow-up, 7 patients (15%) had adequate functional shoulder range of motion and did not undergo external rotation tendon transfer. Conclusions Botulinum toxin A injections result in improvement in IRC due to BPBI, which is sustained beyond the expected half-life of 3 months. As many as 15% of patients who have this treatment avoid external rotation tendon transfer. Type of study/level of evidence Diagnostic IV.
Neutron Attenuation in Polyethylene Using an AmBe Source

In this project an americium-beryllium (AmBe) neutron source was used to study the attenuation characteristics of polyethylene on an incident flux of varying neutron energies from 200 keV to 10 MeV. The linear absorption coefficient suitable for a single neutron energy was found to vary with absorber thickness due to the higher cross section for absorption of low-energy neutrons. The attenuation coefficient for a thickness greater than 15 cm was found to be associated with higher velocity neutrons.
Association of Demographic and Cancer-Specific Factors on Health Behavior Recommendations Specific to Cancer Prevention and Control Among Adolescent and Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer.

Purpose: Adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer (AYA) are at risk for long-term health problems that are exacerbated by not meeting health behavior recommendations (e.g., exercise...
Where ethics is taught: an institutional epidemiology

The goal of this project is to argue for ethics as a necessary component of the institutional health. The authors offer an epidemiology of ethics for a large, metropolitan, very-high-research-activity (R1) university in the U.S. Where epidemiology of a pandemic looks at quantifiable data on infection and exposure rates, control, and broad implications for public health, an epidemiology of ethics looks to parallel data on those same themes. Their hypothesis is that knowing more about how undergraduates are exposed to ethics will help us understand to what extent they are infected with interest in ethics literacy, and potentially what immunity they develop against unethical and unprofessional conduct. These data also tell a story about the ethical health of institutions: to what extent its members are empowered to cultivate a culture of ethics and inoculated against ethical missteps. The authors argue that pro-ethics inoculation at research institutions is shaped by issues of complexity (space given to “hard” vs. “soft” skills within curricula), connotation (differences in meaning of “ethics” among and within disciplines), and collaboration (tensions between Ethics-Across-the-Curriculum and Ethics-In-the-Disciplines approaches to ethics). These issues make assessment of where ethics is taught all the more difficult. The methodology used in this project can readily be taken up by other institutions, with much to be learned from inter-institutional comparisons about the distribution of ethics across the curriculum and within the disciplines.
Ongoing risk of bladder cancer among former workers at the last benzidine manufacturing facility in the USA.

Objective To determine whether there is an ongoing risk of developing bladder cancer in a previously studied cohort of workers exposed to both benzidine and dichlorobenzidine or dichlorobenzidine only in the last benzidine manufacturing plant in the USA. Methods Workers (n=488) were identified from the quarterly 941 forms the employer was required to submit to the Social Security Administration from 1960 to 1977. Exposures were assigned based on dates worked and known benzidine/dichlorobenzidine production schedules. Incidence, vital status and cause of death were determined through 2014. Analyses were restricted to white men. Results Bladder cancer incidence and mortality were significantly increased (25 incident cases, standardised incidence ratio (SIR) 2.19, 95% CI 1.42 to 3.23, and 5 deaths, standardised mortality ratio (SMR) 3.79, 95% CI 1.23 to 8.84). There were significant increases in incidence and mortality in those exposed to both benzidine and dichlorobenzidine (SIR 3.11, 95% CI 1.97 to 4.67, SMR 4.10, 95% CI 1.12 to 10.50), but not among workers exposed to dichlorobenzidine only (two incident cases, SIR 0.89, 95% CI 0.11 to 3.23 and one death, SMR 2.90, 95% CI 0.07 to 16.15). Bladder cancer incidence and mortality were increased in individuals with >20 years since last exposure with >5 years worked (six observed, SIR 5.94, 95% CI 2.18 to 12.92 and two deaths, SMR 7.93, 95% CI 0.96 to 28.65). Conclusions Incidence and mortality due to bladder cancer increased among workers exposed to benzidine but not among workers exposed only to dichlorobenzidine. The risk of incidence and death from bladder cancer remain elevated more than 20 years after last exposure to benzidine in those who worked >5 years.
An Examination of Fitness to Stand Trial, Competence to Make Treatment Decisions, and Psychosis in a Canadian Sample

The purpose of this secondary analysis of an archival sample of 100 Canadian men remanded for evaluations of fitness to stand trial was to investigate the relationships among fitness, competence to...
Wave redirection, localization, and non-reciprocity in a dissipative nonlinear lattice by macroscopic Landau–Zener tunneling: Experimental results

Nonlinear lattices and the nonlinear acoustics they support have a broad impact on shock and vibration mitigation, sound isolation, and acoustic logic devices. In this work, we experimentally study wave redirection, localization, and non-reciprocity in an asymmetric network of two nonlinear lattices with weak linear inter-lattice coupling. We report on the design, fabrication, and system identification of coupled lattices with essentially nonlinear next-neighbor intra-lattice coupling and on their unusual nonlinear acoustics. By weakly coupling the lattices and introducing structural disorder in one of them, we experimentally prove the realization of irreversible breather redirection between lattices governed by a macroscopic analog of the quantum Landau–Zener tunneling effect. In the experiments performed, the input energy is applied by impulse (broadband) excitation, and the resulting acoustical mechanism for wave redirection is in the form of propagating breathers, that is, localized oscillating wave packets formed by the synergy of nonlinearity and dispersion. Moreover, we study the non-reciprocal acoustics of the experimental lattice system by applying separate impulses at each of its four terminals and investigate the tunability with the energy of the resulting acoustic non-reciprocity by systematically varying the impulse intensity. The reported experimental results show that the weakly coupled, disordered, and nonlinear lattice system has wave tailoring properties that are tunable with energy. Altogether, the experimental results agree well with theoretical predictions reported in a companion work based on reduced-order numerical models and prove the efficacy of the system for applications, providing a path for applying these advanced concepts in future structures and devices.
Sex dependent glial-specific changes in the chromatin accessibility landscape in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease brains

Abstract In the post-GWAS era, there is an unmet need to decode the underpinning genetic etiologies of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) and translate the associations to causation. Toward that goal, we conducted ATAC-seq profiling using neuronal nuclear protein (NeuN) sorted-nuclei from 40 frozen brain tissues to determine LOAD-specific changes in chromatin accessibility landscape in a cell-type specific manner. We identified 211 LOAD-specific differential chromatin accessibility sites in neuronal-nuclei, four of which overlapped with LOAD-GWAS regions (±100kb of SNP). While the non-neuronal nuclei did not show LOAD-specific differences, stratification by sex identified 842 LOAD-specific chromatin accessibility sites in females. Seven of these sex-dependent sites in the non-neuronal samples overlapped LOAD-GWAS regions including APOE. LOAD loci were functionally validated using single-nuclei RNA-seq datasets. In conclusion, using brain sorted-nuclei enabled the identification of sex-dependent cell type-specific LOAD alterations in chromatin structure. These findings enhance the interpretation of LOAD-GWAS discoveries, provide potential pathomechanisms, and suggest novel LOAD-loci. Furthermore, our results convey mechanistic insights into sex differences in LOAD risk and clinicopathology. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Quality of Heart Failure Care in the Intensive Care Unit.

ABSTRACT Patients with heart failure (HF) who are seen in an intensive care unit (ICU) manifest the highest-risk, most complex and most resource-intensive disease states. These patients account for a large relative proportion of days spent in an ICU. The paradigms by which critical care is provided to patients with HF are being reconsidered, including consideration of various multidisciplinary ICU staffing models and the development of acute-response teams. Traditional HF quality initiatives have centered on the peri- and postdischarge period in attempts to improve adherence to guideline-directed therapies and reduce readmissions. There is a compelling rationale for expanding high-quality efforts in treating patients with HF who are receiving critical care so we can improve outcomes, reduce preventable harm, improve teamwork and resource use, and achieve high health-system performance. Our goal is to answer the following question: For a patient with HF in the ICU, what is required for the provision of high-quality care? Herein, we first review the epidemiology of HF syndromes in the ICU and identify relevant critical care and quality stakeholders in HF. We next discuss the tenets of high-quality care for patients with HF in the ICU that will optimize critical care outcomes, such as ICU staffing models and evidence-based management of cardiac and noncardiac disease. We discuss strategies to mitigate preventable harm, improve ICU culture and conduct outcomes review, and we conclude with our summative vision of high-quality of ICU care for patients with HF; our vision includes clinical excellence, teamwork and ICU culture.
A tiger in the Upper Midwest: Surveillance and genetic data support the introduction and establishment of Aedes albopictus in Iowa, USA

Aedes albopictus is a competent vector of several arboviruses that has spread throughout the United States over the last three decades after it was initially detected in Texas in 1985. With the emergence of Zika virus in the Americas in 2015-2016 and an increased need to better understand the current distributions of Ae. albopictus in the US, we initiated surveillance efforts to determine the abundance of invasive Aedes species in Iowa. Here, we describe the resulting surveillance efforts from 2016-2020 in which we detect stable and persistent populations of Aedes albopictus in three Iowa counties. Based on temporal patterns in abundance and genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes between years, our data support that populations of Ae. albopictus are overwintering and have likely become established in the state. In addition, the localization of Ae. albopictus predominantly in areas of urbanization and noticeable absence in rural areas suggests that these ecological factors may represent potential barriers to their further spread and contribute to overwintering success. Together, these data document the establishment of Ae. albopictus in Iowa and their expansion into the Upper Midwest, where freezing winter temperatures were previously believed to limit their spread. With increasing globalization, urbanization, and rising temperatures associated with global warming, the range of invasive arthropod vectors, such as Ae. albopictus, is expected to only further expand, creating increased risks for vector-borne disease.
Female rats express a conditioned object preference for receipt of sexual stimulation

Female rats alternately approach and avoid the male rat during copulation, potentially reflecting appetitive and aversive aspects of mating, respectively. We developed a novel classical conditioning procedure, conditioned object preference (COP), to test whether female rats show increased approach toward a conditioned stimulus associated directly with receipt of sexual stimulation. During conditioning, one scented object was paired with an appetitive stimulus and a different object plus scent was paired with a control stimulus on a separate day. After conditioning, preference for each object was evaluated with a choice task. Experiment 1 was conducted to verify the procedure. Rats exhibited a significant COP for 1mg/kg amphetamine, indicating that the conditioned object preference procedure is an effective tool for evaluating the rewarding nature of a treatment. In Experiment 2, paced mating to one ejaculation and experimenter-delivered artificial vaginocervical stimulation (aVCS) each induced a COP. The robust COPs for paced mating and aVCS support the notion that female rats experience a reward state during receipt of sexual stimulation. Moreover, the data suggest that any aversive aspects of receipt of sexual stimulation do not overshadow the appetitive effects.
Chapter 23. Agents Affecting Cyclic AMP Levels

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses studies focusing on agents that affect cyclic AMP (cAMP)levels. An extensive study of a large number of drugs representing 49 therapeutic classes was designed to learn if cAMP-mediated reactions were the basis for the common mechanisms by which therapeutic agents act. The spectrum of tests included, in addition to action against PDE of the rat brain and cat heart, lipolysis in isolated fat cells of the rat, steroidogenesis in isolated rat adrenal cells, and effects on adenylate cyclase of guinea pig lung. The data indicated that cAMP-mediated reactions were not a common modality by which these classes of drugs acted. Activation and inhibition of adenylate cyclase were observed, but they occurred among the classes in no discernible pattern. A well-executed series of studies in Greengard's laboratory demonstrated the presence, in homogenates of caudate nucleus of rat brains, of a dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase. An important finding related to the stimulation of adenylate cyclase in the glial and neuronal cells of the brain was that the former may be stimulated by catecolamines and the latter by prostaclandins, especially by PGE 1 .
Ga-containing bioactive glass/Dextran-CMC hydrogel composites: Ion release and cell viability

This study aims to investigate the solubility of composites comprised of a degradable polymeric hydrogel and particles of a Ga-containing glass series, and relate this solubility information to the viability of MC-3T3 osteoblasts. Composites released a maximum of 4.7 mg/L of Ga after 30 days, and these extracts did not inhibit osteoblast viability.
Relativistic beaming, luminosity functions, and the number counts of BL Lac objects

If specially oriented relativistic jets are a defining characteristic of BL Lac objects as a class, then several consequences follow unavoidably. First, the observed emission is relativistically boosted and may in fact represent only a small fraction of the emitted luminosity of the source. This tends to hide the identity of the “parent population” (those objects with misdirected jets) since intrinsic characteristics may be swamped by the boosted radiation. Second, the parent population must be relatively numerous since only a small fraction of randomly oriented jets would point toward us. In many cases, this has been used in a naive way to comment on possible parent populations for BL Lac objects (and to argue, erroneously, against the beaming hypothesis). Third — the point stressed in this paper — the observed luminosity distribution of BL Lac objects depends on both the luminosity function (LF) of the parent population and the properties of the jet (its speed and orientation). For simple power-law parent LFs, the shape of the LF for the beamed objects is a distinctive broken power-law which is very flat at low luminosities. For more complicated parent LFs, the beamed LF will still be at least as flat at the low luminosity end.
Synthesis of 15N and 13C selectively labeled anandamide

Anandamide (Figure 1a) (arachidonyl ethanolamide, AEA), (5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraenamide, is an endogenous cannabinoid ligand possessing important biological activity. The conformation of AEA in its native receptor binding environment is particularly of interest for pharmaceutical research and biochemistry in general. Here we report a novel synthetic pathway, which selectively introduces 15N and 13C isotopes into the anandamide molecule. This isotopically labeled AEA can be studied conformationally in its native binding condition via solid state NMR. These synthetic procedures can also be adapted to produce radioactive ligands for receptor binding assays and other structural studies. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effects Of Unannounced Quizzes On Student Performance: Further Evidence

This study explores the impact of unannounced quizzes on students’ performance on Quantitative Analysis examinations by comparing course sections with unannounced quizzes to sections with announced quizzes. The difference in academic performance between students with unannounced quizzes and students with announced quizzes was examined in this study. Test scores for the first and second semesters were compared between the students with unannounced quizzes and students with announced quizzes. A significant difference was found in academic performance between the group with unannounced quizzes and group with announced quizzes. The group with unannounced quizzes showed better performance than the control group with announced quizzes. Therefore, this study demonstrates that an unannounced quiz is more effective than announced quiz in Quantitative Analysis Performance.
Quantum Cosmology and Superstrings

Superstrings may turn out to be the Theory of Everything. If so, they should provide, among other things, a satisfactory (quantum) cosmology. Recent studies of the quantum cosmology of superstrings indicate that we are getting a consistent picture only if (i) superstrings “live” in D = 10 space—time dimensions and (ii) six dimensions are compactified and thus leaving D = 4 space—time dimensions for us to live! In this review we provide a detailed expose of these recent developments on the (quantum) cosmological front of superstrings.
Attenuation of serum inducibility of immediate early genes by oncoproteins in tyrosine kinase signaling pathways.

Abstract Immediate early genes involved in controlling cell proliferation are rapidly and transiently induced following stimulation of susceptible cells with serum. To study how oncoproteins regulate immediate early genes, we examined serum inducibility of these genes in cells transformed by various oncoproteins. We found that induction of the immediate early gene, c-fos, by serum stimulation was markedly attenuated in four independent cell lines stably transformed by the v-Src tyrosine kinase. Cells chronically transformed by other oncoproteins implicated in tyrosine kinase signaling pathways, including v-Sis, v-Ras, and v-Raf, showed the same pattern of attenuation. In contrast, serum inducibility of c-fos was not attenuated in cells transformed by simian virus 40, which is thought to transform cells through a different pathway. Cell cycle analyses showed that proliferation of these transformed cell lines could be arrested effectively in 0.1% serum, demonstrating that the attenuation was not simply due to continuous cycling of transformed cells after serum deprivation. Moreover, serum inducibility of other immediate early genes, including c-jun, junB, egr-1, and NGFI-B, also was strikingly attenuated by these same oncoproteins. Nuclear run-on transcription assays established that this attenuation of serum inducibility occurred at the transcriptional level. Finally, flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that serum-starved v-Src-transformed cells were viable and able to progress into S phase of the cell cycle after serum stimulation, even though the induction of immediate early genes was greatly attenuated in these cells. Our results suggest that activation of immediate early genes is repressed by chronic stimulation of tyrosine kinase signaling pathways in transformed cells.
An Across-Institution Anytime MOOC in Database

In Spring 2015, instructors at participating universities and colleges plan to run their Introduction to Database courses using Jennifer Widom's self-paced online course as an optional or required resource. We call the collective of students and instructors who will be moving through Widom's course in relative synchrony, a (loosely) collaborative, distributed open, online course (CDOOC). This way of exploiting a self-paced course allows an organized cohort (e.g., a campus course) to move through at the cohort's "own" pace. If the organized cohort's progress through the self-paced course is open to other learners, outside the a priori organized cohort (as it will be in our case), then this larger population amounts to a MOOC. Because such a MOOC can be convened at anytime, by any instructor, we call it an anytime MOOC.