cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oxidative stress protection by polyphosphate — new roles for an old player

Inorganic polyphosphate is a universally conserved biopolymer whose association with oxidative stress resistance has been documented in many species, but whose mode of action has been poorly understood. Here we review the recent discovery that polyphosphate functions as a protein-protective chaperone, examine the mechanisms by which polyphosphate–metal ion interactions reduce oxidative stress, and summarize polyphosphate's roles in regulating general stress response pathways. Given the simple chemical structure and ancient pedigree of polyphosphate, these diverse mechanisms are likely to be broadly relevant in many organisms, from bacteria to mammalian cells.
Possible oxidant sources in the atmosphere and surface of Mars.

Photolysis of H2O in the atmosphere near the surface is a copious source of OH, HO2, and probably superoxides, some of which are likely to condense on the surface and migrate through the pores. The processes have been modeled in detail for their atmospheric interest. The models successfully account for the rarity of CO and O2, the notable variability of ozone, and the escape flux of hydrogen. Though only qualitative estimates can be made of surface deposition rates and lifetimes, the suggested amounts are in the range inferred by Viking. The OH rapidly destroys any organic molecules that are present as vapors.
Tests for the Jackknife Autocorrelation Estimator rQ2

Two tests for the jackknife autocorrelation estimator rQ2 are evaluated. It is shown that a test based on the conventional approach for estimating the standard error of a jackknife estimator leads to unacceptable Type I error. A simple alternative approach leads to a muchmore satisfactory test that is recommended for N > 20.
Pruritus in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: a review.

Background Pruritus can be a distressing and even debilitating symptom for patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). To date, few studies have evaluated the pathophysiology of this symptom. Because of this, therapy for pruritus in CTCL has mainly relied on those therapies that target and treat the lymphoma. For patients living with CTCL that relapses or becomes refractory to treatment, and who continue to experience severe itch, this lymphoma-targeted treatment may not be enough to combat their pruritus. Therefore, other itch-targeted therapies are needed for use in this disease. Objective We sought to evaluate the current evidence regarding the mechanism of action and treatments for pruritus associated with CTCL. Methods An explicit and thorough search was restricted to all peer-reviewed literature available through MEDLINE (1950 to September 2011) and PubMed. Search terms used were "pruritus," "cutaneous T-cell lymphoma," "CTCL," "mycosis fungoides," "MF," and "Sezary syndrome." All studies that involved pruritus in CTCL, mycosis fungoides, or Sezary syndrome were evaluated by all 3 authors. Results The current literature helps to identify therapies and possible mechanisms for treating patients with CTCL-associated pruritus. Limitation Most studies were preclinical. Only studies involving mechanisms of action or treatment were included. Conclusion A guideline is necessary to assist in the treatment of pruritus in CTCL and additional studies are necessary to uncover the exact mechanism or mechanisms of action.
Hot embossing of discrete microparts

The hot embossing process has so far been developed mainly for replication of surface structures on thermoplastic substrates. Because of the lack of a through-thickness action, fabrication of discrete microparts such as microgears is considered difficult. In this study, embossing molds having multiple microcavities were used in a through-thickness embossing process with a rubber-assisted ejection mechanism. Microparts made of HDPE and ABS with each part weighing approximately 1 and 1.4 mg, respectively, were produced. When in the mold, embossed microparts were intermittently connected to each other through thin residual films of a thickness approximately 20 μm. The residual films were detached from the microparts during a rubber-assisted ejection stage. Because no resin delivery paths, e.g., runners and gates, are needed for microcavities on the multicavity embossing mold, this micropart fabrication process could replace micro injection molding in many applications. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Current Controversies in Surgical Therapy for Emphysema

Interest in surgical therapy for emphysema has grown phenomenally since the reintroduction of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS). Although early results have shown promise, important controversies have also emerged. Some of the central issues include refining patient selection criteria, identifying optimal measure ments of improvement after LVRS, achieving a more complete understanding of the functional consequences after LVRS, and, most importantly, identifying the effect of LVRS, an admittedly palliative procedure, on disease progression and mortality in emphysema. Secondary issues surrounding LVRS include its role in combination with other procedures and its potentially large eco nomic impact. The National Emphysema Treatment Trial, a joint effort between the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the Health Care Financing Administration, is designed to address and clarify these and other questions about LVRS.
WalkMSU: an intervention to motivate physical activity in university students

In this paper, we describe an interface whose application is designed to motivate college students to increase their level of physical activity in daily life. The design idea is based on inducing a.just in time. intervention when a user is in a decision making stage. The design described in this paper is a spatial intervention which is intended to increase awareness towards physical activity while students negotiate the urban landscape of a college campus.
Minimally displaced intra-capsular femoral neck fractures in the elderly--comparison of multiple threaded pins and sliding compression screws surgical techniques.

Purpose. To determine the outcome of treatment for minimally displaced femoral neck fractures using multiple threaded pins versus sliding compression screws for internal fixation. Methods. The medical records of 62 consecutive elderly patients with minimally displaced intra-capsular femoral neck fractures who underwent internal fixation of the fracture (37 with multiple threaded pins, and 25 with sliding compression screws) were reviewed. Clinical and radiological assessment of fracture healing at follow-up visits were noted. Results. In the 55 patients seen for follow-up at 3 months, 21.9% (n=7) of those treated by pinning demonstrated non-union of the fracture, and 0% of fractures treated with sliding compression screws (p=0.02). 46 patients were seen for follow-up at 1 year, with 10% (n=2) of those treated with sliding compression screws found to have osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The 2 fractures in the group treated by pinning demonstrating non-union at 3 months failed to unite by 1 year (p=0.11). 34 patients were seen for follow-up for at least 2 years, with no additional complications noted. Conclusion. Using sliding compression screws to treat minimally displaced femoral neck fractures can achieve a higher union rate than using pinning. The reason may be the better stability in the osteoporotic bone. However, osteonecrosis of the femoral head may occur with use of sliding compression screws because of greater intramedullary vascular damage as a result of wider reaming.
Hormonal Control of Androgen Receptor Function through SIRT1

The NAD-dependent histone deacetylase Sir2 plays a key role in connecting cellular metabolism with gene silencing and aging. The androgen receptor (AR) is a ligand-regulated modular nuclear receptor governing prostate cancer cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis in response to androgens, including dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Here, SIRT1 antagonists induce endogenous AR expression and enhance DHTmediated AR expression. SIRT1 binds and deacetylates the AR at a conserved lysine motif. Human SIRT1 (hSIRT1) repression of DHT-induced AR signaling requires the NAD-dependent catalytic function of hSIRT1 and the AR lysine residues deacetylated by SIRT1. SIRT1 inhibited coactivator-induced interactions between the AR amino and carboxyl termini. DHT-induced prostate cancer cellular contact-independent growth is also blocked by SIRT1, providing a direct functional link between the AR, which is a critical determinant of progression of human prostate cancer, and the sirtuins.
Durable hematologic complete response and suppression of HTLV-1 viral load following alemtuzumab in zidovudine/IFN-α–refractory adult T-cell leukemia

Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) is a highly chemoresistant and usually fatal T-cell malignancy due to the human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1). After chemotherapy failure, antiretrovirals and interferon-α (IFN-α) produce brief responses followed by progression and death. More effective agents and new approaches to detect and treat minimal residual disease are needed. ATL cells express CD52, the target of the antibody alemtuzumab, which is active in a preclinical model of ATL and is cytotoxic for p53-deficient cells. A patient with refractory chronic ATL in transformation achieved longer than a 1-year complete hematologic response following 12 weeks of outpatient subcutaneous alemtuzumab. Persistent suppression of HTLV-1 viral load, even at recovery of T cells, after alemtuzumab and efficient in vitro complement-mediated cytotoxicity of primary ATL cells with mutated TP53 were observed. The unprecedented response and the profound suppression of HTLV-1 viral load observed in this patient suggest that further clinical investigation of alemtuzumab in ATL is warranted.
Measurable Notions of Complexity and Their Relationship to Biological Complexity

Complexity is often invoked as a motivation for a systems approach to biology. We review three measurable notions of complexity from the areas of computation and data analysis. These measures have each led to mathematical theory and to further insight on the complexity of objects, demonstrating the benefits of having a well-defined measure of complexity. Each measure is applicable in the study of particular biological systems; however, none is satisfactory to serve as a universal measure of biological complexity. The study of biological systems will likely require numerous measures of complexity, each appropriate for analysis in specific settings.
Resident attitudes towards conservation and black howler monkeys in Belize: the Community Baboon Sanctuary.

The Community Baboon Sanctuary is held by the Belizean government to be a model for participatory ecotourism development. Membership in the Sanctuary is voluntary and involves a commitment to protect riverine resources as habitat for black howler monkeys (Alouatta nigra). While most local residents understand the intrinsic, aesthetic and material values of this important resource and recognize that protection of it can provide opportunities for promoting ecotourism activities in their communities, some members are dissatisfied with the project and threaten to withdraw their membership. This study aimed to define residents’ feelings about resource protection in their communities and their attitudes toward management of the sanctuary. Member and non-member households were surveyed, representing three of the eight villages located within the sanctuary boundaries; 74% of the sample were member households and 26% were non-member. Although the howlers had increased in number since the Sanctuary's establishment, many residents felt that neither their households nor themselves were benefiting. Some Sanctuary members argued that management was not well organized and that benefits to communities and individuals were not evenly distributed. Key issues included the extent and nature of benefits to local residents, perceptions regarding management capabilities, and how management is responding to these issues. While these problems existed, the majority of residents did not want the Sanctuary abolished and strongly supported maintaining Sanctuary status. They might not be reaping benefits directly, but they admitted their lives were no worse off than before and they recognized that some members were benefiting. They had hope that they, too, would be able to eventually take part in some type of tourism business. For long-term local support to be assured, management must orient its work to more directly address those factors that influence residents’ attitudes about the project, namely, the extent of local participation, representative organization, sound management structure, effective management capabilities, fair employment allocation, and education opportunities for community residents regarding the howlers, protection of their habitat, and the value of resource conservation.
Avian eggs from the Eocene Willwood and Chadron formations of Wyoming and Nebraska

ABSTRACT Partial eggs from the Eocene Willwood Formation of Wyoming contain unidentifiable embryonic remains; the eggs are referable to a theropod on the basis of their structural layering of calcite and to an avian theropod because of their Eocene age. We assign the specimens to the oofamily Medioolithidae as Microolithus wilsoni, oogen. et oosp. nov., on the basis of the following unique combination of characters: 600-µm-thick eggshell composed of three structural layers; abrupt and undulating contact between the mammillary and continuous layers; smooth and glossy outer egg surface; faint or obscure prisms of the continuous layer; non-branching pores; and mammillary-to-total shell thickness ratio of 1:4. The eggshell microstructure resembles that of some extant neognath bird eggs. We refer a single egg from Chadron Formation of eastern Nebraska to incertae sedis as Metoolithus nebraskensis, oogen. et oosp. nov. A combination of characters distinguishes the egg from other fossil and modern avian eggs, na...
APOA-II MAINTAINS HDL LEVELS IN PART BY INHIBITION OF HEPATIC LIPASE : STUDIES IN APOA-II AND HEPATIC LIPASE DOUBLE KNOCKOUT MICE

High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol lev- els are inversely related to the risk of developing coronary heart disease. Apolipoprotein (apo) A-II is the second most abundant HDL apolipoprotein and apoA-II knockout mice show a 70% reduction in HDL cholesterol levels. There is also evidence, using human apoA-II transgenic mice, that apoA-II can prevent hepatic lipase-mediated HDL triglycer- ide hydrolysis and reduction in HDL size. These observa- tions suggest the hypothesis that apoA-II maintains HDL levels, at least in part, by inhibiting hepatic lipase. To evalu- ate this, apoA-II knockout mice were crossbred with hepatic lipase knockout mice. Compared to apoA-II-deficient mice, in double knockout mice there were increased HDL choles- terol levels (57% in males and 60% in females), increased HDL size, and decreased HDL cholesteryl ester fractional catabolic rate. In vitro incubation studies of plasma from apoA-II knockout mice, which contains largely apoA-I HDL particles, showed active lipolysis of HDL triglyceride, whereas similar studies of plasma from apoA-I knockout mice, which contains largely apoA-II particles, did not. In summary, these results strongly suggest that apoA-II is a physiological inhibitor of hepatic lipase and that this is at least part of the mechanism whereby apoA-II maintains HDL cholesterol levels. —Weng, W., N. A. Brandenburg, S. Zhong, J. Halkias, L. Wu, X-c. Jiang, A. Tall, and J. L. Breslow. ApoA-II maintains HDL levels in part by inhibition of hepatic lipase: studies in apoA-II and hepatic lipase dou- ble knockout mice. J. Lipid Res. 1999. 40: 1064-1070.
Boisguilbert: A Neglected Precursor of Aggregate Demand Theorists

I. Introduction, 401. — II. The man, his times, and his works, 402. — III. Money and wealth, 404. — IV. Determinants of national income, 405. — V. Recurring crises and secular decline, 408. — VI. Boisguilbert's program of reform, 411. — VII. Conclusion, 413.
Postnatal regulation of limb proprioception by muscle-derived neurotrophin-3.

To investigate the effects of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) on postnatal proprioceptive neurons and their targets, transgenic mice were generated that use the myosin light chain 1 (mlc) promoter to overexpress NT-3 in skeletal muscle. Ribonuclease protection assays revealed that NT-3 overexpression in hindlimb skeletal muscle began at embryonic day 14 (E14) and continued throughout adulthood. Overexpression of NT-3 during late embryogenesis resulted in increased numbers of large sensory and small fusimotor axons. Within a week of birth, mlc/NT-3 mice retract their limbs to the torso when lifted by the tail. Footprint analysis revealed that mlc/NT-3 mice had significant abnormalities in their gait compared with wild-types. Beam walking and rotorod analysis confirmed the poor limb control by mlc/NT-3 mice. These locomotive deficits progressively worsened with age and were likely related to the formation of morphologically abnormal muscle spindles. The most common spindle anomaly was the presence of excessive intrafusal bag fibers within individual muscle spindles. To assess the role of NT-3 in recovery from nerve injury, sciatic nerve crushes were performed in young adult mice. Two days after injury, mlc/NT-3 mice displayed significantly improved sciatic functional indexes and a significant increase in muscle spindles that remained associated with axons. The latter finding suggests that excess NT-3 in muscle may retard the degeneration of proprioceptive axons after nerve crush. Long-term survival after nerve injury in mlc/NT-3 mice did not induce further changes in spindle number or morphology. These findings demonstrate that, in addition to promoting embryonic proprioceptive neuron survival, postnatal overexpression of NT-3 in muscle leads to abnormal spindle formation and deficits in locomotive control. However, our results also show that NT-3 may be therapeutic for proprioceptive axons immediately after nerve injury by delaying axon degeneration. J. Comp. Neurol. 432:244–258, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Shorter Articles and Notes: Intelligence Level as a Variable in the Perception of Shape:

Abstract The relation between shape constancy and intelligence was investigated by determining the functions relating matched shape to the angle of inclination of a circular test-object for groups at four levels of intelligence. Subjects were obtained from groups of institutionalized mental defectives, slow learners from the public schools, unselected undergraduates, and undergraduates who had been awarded scholarships. With increasing intelligence level the matches tend to approach the prediction based on the law of the retinal image thus demonstrating an inverse correlation between intelligence and the extent to which constancy is demonstrated. Since it is known the instructions given to the subject are a variable in shape constancy, it is suggested that the present data are the result of different attitudes adopted by the subjects at the various intelligence levels. The more intelligent subjects are assumed to adopt an analytic attitude in the experimental situation, while the less intelligent tend to ...
K-modication based H2 Adaptive Control

Two novel adaptive control laws are presented. The first is based on the use of a tunable stiffness term that provides a frequency dependent filtering effect, smoother transient responses, and time delay robustness in the adaptive system. The second is an H2 approach which extends a recently developed Kalman filter based approach to adaptive control law modification, by providing an optimal time varying adaptation gain. The proposed H2 model reference adaptive control law with K-modification combines the advantages in each method. It can also be used with the well known - and e-modification terms.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Practical Approach to Evaluation and Management

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common forms of chronic liver disease in the Western world. The rise in NAFLD is thought to be associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. NASH is a subtype of NAFLD that may progress to cirrhosis and end stage liver disease. Although there are no approved treatment regimens for NAFLD or NASH, a number of different interventions are being tested. Meanwhile, most experts advocate that components of metabolic syndrome should be effectively treated.
Selective preconcentration by temperature manipulation of cascaded micro preconcentrators

This article presents a new method for selective preconcentration of target species and the elimination of unwanted ones from a sample mixture. In this approach, the temperature and flow direction of two microfabricated preconcentrators connected in series are controlled according to the boiling points of target species. Each micro preconcentrator consists of embedded high-aspect-ratio pillars coated with Tenax TA as the adsorbent polymer. The results showed successful concentration of propofol, a drug used for general anesthesia, from a mixture containing several volatile organic compounds found in breath. Measurements showed increase in relative concentration of propofol to C 14 by 99.8% and elimination of water-like solvent by 99.9%.
In Situ Analysis of Interleukin-1-Induced Transcription of cox-2 and il-8 in Cultured Human Myometrial Cells

The specific binding of transcription factors to DNA has been shown to be inhibited by chromatin structure and increased by cooperative interactions with other proteins. Consequently, in situ analysis using chromatin immunoprecipitation offers the most accurate view of transcriptional control. Transient transfection studies and in vitro analyses of IL-1-induced cox-2 transcription in a number of cell types have indicated regulation by either nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) or CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBPβ), or both acting cooperatively. To determine the mechanisms of COX-2 (cyclooxygenase or prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase) induction in cultured human myometrial cells in situ, we examined the cross-linking of the RelA subunit of NF-κB and C/EBPβ to the cox-2 promoter and flanking sequences. As a control, we inspected the interaction of these transcription factors with the IL-8 gene, which has been shown in other cell types to be activated by the cooperative interaction of NF-κB and C/EBPβ. Indeed, ...
Field Studies and Educational Administration and Policy The Fit, the Challenge, the Benefits, and Costs

New and in some ways unconventional research designs provide new information and insights about school administration.
A Modeling Study of Coastal-Trapped Wave Propagation in the Gulf of California. Part II: Response to Idealized Forcing

Abstract The evolution of remotely forced coastal-trapped waves in the Gulf of California is studied using a hydrostatic primitive equation model. The sea level time variability at a remote station south of the gulf is assumed to propagate northward into the gulf as a mode-1 coastal-trapped wave (CTW). To validate this assumption, observations and model results are compared. In general, sea level fluctuations are reasonably well represented by the model, with model–data correlations decreasing from 0.76 at Topolobampo, close to the entrance of the gulf, to 0.52 at Santa Rosalia in the central gulf. Model–data correlations of velocity are lower (<0.6). In the gulf, CTWs propagate northward along the east side with no significant changes south of the sill, which is 600 km north of the entrance. When incident waves propagating northward in the gulf along the east side arrive at the sill, a small fraction of the wave energy enters the northern gulf and is dissipated. Most of the wave energy is steered at the ...
Distance-adaptive and fragmentation-aware optical traffic grooming in flexible grid optical networks

We propose the first distance-adaptive and fragmentation-aware optical traffic grooming algorithm in flexible grid optical networks. The algorithm achieves at least 14% spectrum savings and 13% transponder savings compared to the existing algorithms.
Primary open reduction of congenital dislocation of the hip using a median adductor approach.

Based on dissections of the hips of four stillborn infants and observations during open reductions, a procedure to release the tight iliopsoas tendon and capsule through a medial approach was developed and applied in thirty infants two weeks to two years old. After this procedure, easy reduction without compression or constriction of the femoral head and immobilization in a functional position was possible. All hips so treated and immobilized for four months postoperatively showed no evidence of any growth disturbance and rapidly regained a full range of motion.
Tax Fraud in the Sales Tax: Zappers -- What are They? How Can Puerto Rico Block Them?

The Sales and Use Tax is an essential part of Puerto Rico’s revenue profile. Effective only recently (November 15, 2006) the Impuesto a las Ventas y Uso (IVU) was expected to raise between $2.3 and $1.05 billion annually, and has already become the Commonwealth’s fourth largest revenue source. Actual revenue results for 2007-2008 came in at $1.1 billion, which admittedly is closer to the low end than the high end of what is possible, but now that the tax is in place the next pressing question is how can its performance be improved?This paper generally proposes that Puerto Rico look to technology for improvements. It suggests that Puerto Rico consider adopting one or more of the software certification efforts underway globally to boost revenue results. The specific focus of this paper is on stopping cash skimming frauds (the use of Zappers), but it is important to see this as part of a wider movement to utilize certified technology to improve compliance and enhance revenue.Two IVU issues should be at the top Puerto Rico’s tax policy agenda: (1) should the Commonwealth adopt the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement (SSUTA) and (2) how can Puerto Rico stem revenue losses from automated sales suppression software (Zappers). The first initiative would yield additional revenue of $200 million; the second effort would likely yield an additional $170 million. Because joining the SSUTA is as much a political as it is a tax question, this paper has focused on preventing automated sales suppression as a way of enhancing revenue. This is a global problem that will only grow in significance. It is difficult to believe that the Zappers that are rampant throughout the world and not also very common in Puerto Rico. It seems that wherever ECRs are used to record sales, Zappers have been found removing cash sales and allowing businesses to siphon off revenue. With Puerto Rican revenue losses possibly in the hundreds of millions of dollars this paper has made an effort to point to cost-effective remedies within the Streamlined Sales Tax, notably, the certified service provider (CSP) option. Puerto Rico has not become a full member of SSUTA, but that does not prevent it from taking an arrow from the SSUTA’s quiver and directing it at the Zapper. Zappers are a documented problem in Quebec, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, Brazil, Sweden, Austria, France, the UK and the US. This is the reason that representatives of the German, Quebec and Dutch revenue authorities will be sharing both their technology solutions and their auditing techniques with other government officials at the Federation of Tax Administrators Annual Conference in Denver Colorado, June 2, 2009.
The Muslim response to the Pentecostal surge in Nigeria: Prayer and the rise of charismatic Islam

AbstractThe paper postulates the emergence of a charismatic form of Islam in Western Nigeria, indexed by new modalities of prayer, modes of worship and proselytizing, organizational features, and repertoires of devotion that closely approximate forms and expressions normally exclusively associated with Pentecostal Christianity. It is argued that this new formation of Islam, while apparently triggered by Pentecostalism’s recent success in a competitive religious field, is not simply mimetic; but also reflects internal discourses and tensions within Islam, which unfold against the backdrop of political competition with Christianity in Nigeria.
Homovanillic acid content of neuroblastomas.

SummaryTumor tissues from 12 neuro-blastomas, one benign pheochromocytoma, one malignant pheochromocytoma, and one ganglioneuroma were analyzed for HVA. Autopsy specimens of heart, lung, liver, spl...
Multibody modelling of an internal gyroscopic micro-mechanism for development of lateral deviation of a projectile

The lateral control of a projectile for targeting and impacting a nonstationary target is of interest in many applications. Through the use of internal moving parts, gyroscopic forces can be generated, thus changing the flight trajectory of the projectile. In this study, three small internal swing masses are introduced to the projectile and their motions are controlled. The masses are attached to the end of massless rods that are located on points of an equilateral triangle centered about the major axis of the projectile. A mathematical model for the internal gyroscopic rotating disks of this multibody mechanism and its trajectory path is presented. For this mechanism, the dynamics equations of motion are developed and solved numerically to simulate the trajectory of the projectile. The concept projectile model is shown to move cyclically about the axis of rotation and to deviate from its axis in a relatively even slope. A parametric study is then focused on actuating each mass in sequence or changing the...
Cap‐and‐Trade: Understanding and Teaching a Market‐Based Approach to Natural Resource Allocation

Cap-and-trade is a policy tool that is becoming increasingly popular for problems of natural resource allocation, from controlling greenhouse gas emissions, to sustaining fisheries, to reducing nutrient pollution of waterways. However, because it is based on economic market mechanisms, it can be difficult for science students, and even instructors, to understand. Games can be effective tools for conveying knowledge that is difficult to obtain through traditional lecture and reading strategies. We present a cap-and-trade, non-digital game that has been valuable in helping undergraduate applied science majors “discover” the principles of this market-based approach to natural resource allocation. The game can be easily adapted to a wide variety of natural science fields.
Transfer of lipids across the guinea pig placenta

The extent of transfer of isotope-labeled lipids in both directions across the guinea pig placenta was measured by an in situ perfusion technique. The transfer of albumin-bound C 14 –free fatty acids from fetus to mother was from 55 to 63 per cent of the reservoir radioactivity during a single 20minute perfusion. The nature of the fatty acid, whether saturated or unsaturated, of odd- or even-numbered carbon chain length, and whether presented as a single fatty acid or in groups of fatty acids had no measurable effect on transfer rates. The lack of selectivity of transfer of any fatty acid was also seen in the study of maternal to fetal transfer; the placental perfusate level of radioactivity was as much as 35 per cent of the maternal arterial concentration. Transfer of complex lipids measured by this technique was extremely limited. It is noted that the free fatty acids behave like other albumin-bound, organic-soluble compounds in exchanging rapidly across the placenta.
Modulation of arabinosyladenine metabolism by 2'-deoxycoformycin in the therapy of human acute leukemia.

Arabinosyladenine (araA) is a functional analog of deoxy-adenosine that exhibits antiviral activity but only weak antitumor activity in humans. The therapeutic efficacy of araA against human malignancies is known to be limited by its deamination to arabinosylhypoxanthine by adenosine deaminase. Although the likelihood of increasing the activity of araA after inhibition of adenosine deaminase had been speculated upon, it was not until potent adenosine deaminase inhibitors such as 2′-deoxyco-formycin (dCF) became available that the potential for such combination chemotherapy could be evaluated. It is now well established that both the toxicity to cells in culture and therapeutic activity of araA in tumor-bearing mice are increased by coadministration with pharmacologically active, but otherwise nontoxic doses of a deaminase inhibitor (1–3)
A Wounded Healer’s Reflections on Healing

The sources of caring does not always come from rich personal experience. In my case, learning to care came from a surrogate family of medical educators. As a wounded healer, I am able to care well for people near life’s end. Mindfulness serves as the vehicle enabling me to have a continuous awareness of the well-being of the patient and myself during the therapeutic interaction. Mindfulness draws me near the core of the patient’s narrative. Herein, I reflect on my mindfulness practice in relation to the patient narrative.
High-Accuracy FIR Filter Design Using Stochastic Computing

Finite impulse response (FIR) filter is the basic functional component in various signal processing and communication systems. In many practical applications that have stringent requirement on spectrum, long FIR filters are needed to achieve the desired filtering performance. However, because a T-tap FIR filter requires T copies of high-complexity multiplier, the conventional design of long FIR filter consumes a large amount of silicon area and power dissipation. This paper, for the first time, proposes a high-accuracy stochastic computing (SC)-based FIR filter design. By utilizing the simplicity of stochastic arithmetic unit, the proposed stochastic FIR filter achieves significant reduction in hardware complexity as compared to the conventional design. More importantly, this paper proposes a new high-accuracy non-scaled stochastic adder that has significant increase in computation accuracy than the conventional stochastic adder. Built on this new stochastic adder, the proposed stochastic FIR filter achieves much higher accuracy than the existing stochastic FIR filter design, especially for large T cases, thereby unlocking the potentiality for the widespread applications of stochastic FIR filters in practical signal processing systems.
Acute and Chronic Pancreatic Disease

Pancreatitis is a common etiology of emergency department evaluation and hospital admission. Pancreatitis is a common condition often induced by obstruction of the hepatobiliary tree, toxins, or metabolic causes. Recurrent episodes can lead to chronic inflammation, ductal abnormalities, and exocrine/endocrine insufficiency. This chapter will outline the pharmacological management in the acute setting, and discuss further treatment options regarding pain and malabsorption secondary to chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic insufficiency.
ICD9-CM Claims Data are Insufficient for Influenza Surveillance.

Background Influenza and Influenza like illness are representative of a class of epidemic infectious diseases that have important public health implications. Early detection via biosurveillance can speed lifesaving public heath responses. In the United States, biosurveillance is typically conducted using ICD9 coded visit diagnoses and uncoded chief complaint data. Objective To determine the accuracy of ICD9 diagnoses using laboratory confirmed cases as the gold standard. Design A six-year retrospective cohort study. Setting A tertiary referral center. Patients All 3,825 patients with an ICD9-CM diagnosis of Influenza and all 1455 patients with laboratory confirmed Influenza. Results Of the 3,828 patients assigned ICD9-CM visit codes indicating a diagnosis of Influenza, 2,825 were not confirmed by laboratory testing and 1,003 patients under went laboratory testing. Only 664 (66.2%) tested positive for Influenza. Of the 1,455 patients who tested positive for Influenza 45.6% were identified by ICD9-CM code. Conclusion ICD9-CM had a low 66.2% Positive Predictive Value (precision) for Influenza and a low 45.6% Sensitivity (recall) for Influenza in patients tested for Influenza. ICD9 coded visit diagnoses/claims data are insufficient alone to serve as the basis for Influenza Surveillance. Primary funding source CDC grants PH00022 and HK00014.
Intravenous Glomus Tumor Masquerading as Lateral Antebrachial Cutaneous Neuroma

Background: Intravenous glomus tumors are extremely rare. Methods: We report a patient with an intravenous glomus tumor within a venous aneurysm misdiagnosed as a neuroma of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve, based on clinical exam, electrodiagnostic studies, and findings on a magnetic resonance imaging neurogram. Results: After surgical resection, the patient's symptoms, including pain and localized hypersensitivity, totally resolved. Conclusions: This case illustrates 2 important points. First, unlike extradigital glomus tumors, magnetic resonance imaging is not reliable in diagnosing intravenous glomus tumors. Second, in the presence of chronic localized neuroma type pain and sensitivity in the upper limb without a clear cause, an extradigital cutaneous or intravenous glomus tumor must be considered in the differential diagnosis.
Analogs for Unlayered-Graphene Droplet-Formation in Stellar Atmospheres.

The unlayered spherical graphene cores, found in a subset of micron-sized presolar graphite onions extracted from primitive meteorites, show graphene but not graphite inter-sheet spacings, sheet " coherence widths " of about 4nm, and (in electron-phase-contrast images) evidence of edge-on obtuse-angle graphene-sheet junctions. The literature on solidification of metallic liquids predicts supercooling by as much as 30% below the melt-temperature, suggesting that at low pressures carbon vapor will predictably condense first as a liquid. Density measurements, possible TEM evidence of faceted-pentacones, and preliminary studies of 5 and 6 atom loop formation in a solidifying melt, all suggest that these unlayered graphene cores (which bear isotopic signatures of formation in asymptotic-giant-branch star atmospheres after third dredge-up) may have resulted from dendritic solidification of " slow-cooled " carbon droplets. Preliminary notes on a strategy for slow-cooling carbon vapor-condensation in the laboratory (with help from an evaporating oven) are also provided.
Abstract 47: Development and Use of a Novel Single-Cell Epigenetic Lineage Tracing Method to Identify Smooth Muscle--Derived Macrophage-Like Cells Within Human Atherosclerotic Lesions

Aim: Smooth muscle cells (SMC) possess remarkable phenotypic plasticity that allows adaptation to changing environmental cues. Lack of definitive SMC lineage tracing studies and inability to identify phenotypically modulated SMCs within lesions due to loss of SMC marker gene expression raise major questions regarding the role of SMC in vivo in atherosclerosis progression. We hypothesize that a subset of cells within lesions that express macrophage markers are derived from SMC not monocytes and play a key role in determining plaque stability. Methods: We developed a novel lineage tracing based on detection of H3K4dime of the SM MHC gene, a SMC-specific epigenetic lineage marker we have previously shown is stable during phenotypic switching in vitro. Detection of H3K4dime of the SM MHC locus was done using a Proximity ligation assay (PLA) developed in our lab with an antibody targeting the biotinylated DNA probe for the SM MHC locus in conjunction with an anti-H3K4dime antibody. Use of secondary antibodies conjugated with oligonucleotides induces formation of circular DNA that serve as template for amplification, allowing visualization of co-localization of H3K4dime and the SM MHC gene (Duolink). Our new lineage tracing is suitable with human paraffin-embedded tissue sections (n=4) allowing investigation of SMC fate within human atherosclerotic lesion. Results: H3K4dime on the SM MHC gene (PLA+ cells) was found to be specific for SMCs and not found in any other cell types including adventitial fibroblasts, or endothelial cells. The method was validated using a SMC-specific lineage tracing mouse model wherein SM MHC Cre mice are crossed to ROSA flox STOP eYFP+/+ ApoE -/- mice. The H3K4dime/SM MHC PLA signal (i.e. PLA+) was exclusively found in eYFP+ cells. Moreover, some of the lesion SMCs were eYFP+/PLA+/SM α-actin-. Similarly, we identified PLA+ cells in human lesions that were positive for the macrophage marker CD68. Conclusion: Our new method permits definitive identification of SMC-derived cells within lesions even if they are not identifiable as SMC due to loss of SMC markers. Moreover, we provide exciting evidence that a significant fraction of macrophage-like cells in human lesions are derived from SMC. We postulate that transition of SMC to a macrophage state may be a key event leading to plaque destabilization and rupture with possible myocardial infarction or stroke.
Testing the Effectiveness of Therapeutic Showering in Labor

: Therapeutic showering is a holistic nursing intervention that is often available and supports physiologic labor. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of therapeutic showering with usual care during active labor. Research questions were as follows: Are there significant differences between women who showered 30 minutes during active labor and those who received usual labor care in anxiety, tension, relaxation, pain, discomfort, and coping? Is there a difference in use of obstetric interventions between groups? A convenience sample of healthy low-risk women in active labor was recruited (N = 32). A pretest posttest control group repeated-measures design was used. Participants were randomized to treatment group (n = 17), who showered for 30 minutes, or to control group (n = 14) who received usual labor care. Women evaluated pain, discomfort, anxiety, tension, coping, and relaxation at enrollment, again 15 minutes after entering the shower or receiving usual care, then again 30 minutes after entering the shower or receiving usual care. Chart reviews after delivery recorded obstetric interventions. The showering group had statistically significant decreases in pain, discomfort, anxiety and tension, and significant increase in relaxation. There were no differences in use of obstetric interventions. Therapeutic showering was effective in reducing pain, discomfort, anxiety, and tension while improving relaxation and supporting labor in this sample.
On-Demand Bot Detection and Archival System

Unusually high correlation in activities among users in social media is an indicator of bot behavior. We have developed a system, called DeBot, that identifies such bots in Twitter network. Our system reports and archives thousands of bot accounts every day. DeBot is an unsupervised method capable of detecting bots in a parameter-free fashion. In February 2017, DeBot has collected over 710K unique bots since August 2015. Since we are detecting and archiving Twitter bots on a daily basis, we have the ability to offer two different services based on our bot detection system. The first one is a bot archive API that makes it easy for researchers to query the DeBot's archive. This API can be used to answer various queries: Is a given Twitter account a bot? When was this bot active in the past? Which twitter accounts were detected as bots on a specific date? The second service that we offer is an on-demand bot detection platform which can detect bots that are related to a given topic or geographical location, and report them to the user in few hours. This paper explains all the details of the services we offer on top of the DeBot's bot detection engine.
A Historical Perspective on Presentations of Hypertensive Acute Heart Failure

Background: The initial systolic blood pressure (SBP) in patients presenting to the hospital with acute heart failure (AHF) informs prognosis, diagnosis, and guides initial treatment. However, over time AHF presentations with elevated SBP appear to have declined. The present study examined whether the frequency of AHF presentations with systolic hypertension (SBP >160 mmHg) declined over a nearly two-decade time interval. Methods: This study compares four historical, cross-sectional cohorts with AHF who were admitted to tertiary care medical centres in the North-eastern USA in 1995, 2000, 2006, and 2011-13. The main outcome was the proportion of AHF patients presenting with an initial SBP >160 mmHg. Results: 2,366 patients comprised the study sample. The average age was 77 years, 55% were female, 94% white, and 75% had prior heart failure. In 1995, 34% of AHF patients presented with an initial SBP >160 mmHg compared to 20% in 2011-2013 (p 160 mmHg in 2006 (0.64, 95% CI 0.42-0.96) and 2011-13 (0.46, 95% CI 0.28-0.74) compared with patients in 1995. Conclusion: The proportion of patients with AHF and initial SBP >160 mmHg significantly declined over the study time period. There are several potential reasons for this observation and these findings highlight the need for ongoing surveillance of patients with AHF as changing clinical characteristics can impact early treatment decisions.
Interference management with mismatched partial channel state information

We study the fundamental limits of communications over multi-layer wireless networks where each node has only limited knowledge of the channel state information. In particular, we consider the scenario in which each source-destination pair has only enough information to perform optimally when other pairs do not interfere. Beyond that, the only other information available at each node is the global network connectivity. We propose a transmission strategy that solely relies on the available limited knowledge and combines coding with interference avoidance. We show that our proposed strategy goes well beyond the performance of interference avoidance techniques. We present an algebraic framework for the proposed transmission strategy based on which we provide a guarantee of the achievable rate. For several network topologies, we prove the optimality of our proposed strategy by providing information-theoretic outer-bounds.
"Sometimes, somebody just needs somebody - anybody - to care:" the power of interpersonal relationships in the lives of domestic minor sex trafficking survivors

Domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of U.S. minors for the purposes of a commercial sex act. DMST victims and survivors often become involved with state-level systems including the child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems. This study presents exploratory qualitative findings regarding the role of interpersonal relationships in the lives of system-involved DMST survivors from the perspectives of DMST survivors. Results indicate survivors perceive interpersonal relationships as key to promoting risk, providing protection, and fostering resiliency over DMST. Findings from the current study not only provide a context for understanding the role of interpersonal relationships in the lives of DMST survivors but also point to directions for development of interventions targeted toward this population.
Gestión urbana del recurso pluvial: estrategias, políticas y normativa urbana en cinco países europeos

El articulo revisa documentos oficiales e investigaciones, enfocadas en la gestion estrategica del recurso pluvial urbano. Se seleccionaron cinco paises europeos por estar a la vanguardia en ese campo: Dinamarca, Suecia, Belgica, Suiza y Francia. Se incluyen los documentos que establecen estrategias y/o normativas claras y precisas, en cuanto a la gestion de las aguas pluviales urbanas, y son analizados destacando los aspectos incidentes en el diseno urbano. Se concluye en la gestacion de un gran cambio de paradigma. El agua lluvia ya no se entuba, por el contrario, empieza a ser valorada como elemento clave para el diseno de espacios publicos que, ademas de ludicos, esteticos y amables, fortalecen la re- siliencia de las ciudades contemporaneas.
Skill Building for Effective Intervention with Homeless Families

Homeless families are alienated from friendship and service networks. The authors describe the skills necessary for outreach to homeless families in order to reconnect these families to various res...