cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The unique steroidogenesis of the aldosteronoma in the differential diagnosis of primary aldosteronism

18-Hydroxycortisol and 18-oxocortisol have been isolated from the urine of patients with aldosterone producing adrenocortical adenomas, but not from those with idiopathic hyperaldosteronism associated with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. These C-18 oxygenated cortisols are biosynthesized by the substitution of cortisol for the normal substrate, corticosterone, in the terminal oxidase system required for the biosynthesis of 18-hydroxycorticosterone and aldosterone. To make use of this biochemical difference between the two groups in the preoperative diagnosis of primary aldosteronism, we have developed and utilized a specific primary standard analytical method, stable isotope dilution mass fragmentography, for quantifying 18-hydroxycortisol and the tetrahydro metabolite of 18-oxocortisol in 24-h urine samples. The normal range by this technique of 4.6 +/- 1.8 micrograms/day tetrahydro 18-oxocortisol and 43 +/- 23 micrograms/day 18-hydroxycortisol in urine was lower and narrower than previous estimates using other methods. Excretion of the 18-oxocortisol metabolite ranged from 2-12 micrograms/day in bilateral hyperplasia and 17-1203 micrograms/day in typical adenomas. 18-Hydroxycortisol excretion similarly separated bilateral hyperplasia (23-59 micrograms/day) from typical adenomas (60-2750 micrograms/day). The cortisol C-18 oxidation pathway describes a unique steroidogenic mechanism in the aldosteronoma not present in idiopathic aldosteronism due to bilateral adrenal hyperplasia and as such provides a basis for the biochemical classification of primary aldosteronism and the differentiation of these two groups. This unique biochemistry was also observed in unilateral hyperplasia but not in the renin-dependent aldosteronoma.
The public role of Dhimmīs during ʿAbbāsid times

This article examines how and why non-Muslim dhimmis were employed in a variety of important posts during the c Abbasid period, notably as viziers (wuzara') and secretaries (kuttab). One of the aims is to show that Jews and Christians were employed in the state administration to the extent that some of them were able to achieve the second highest office after the caliph: the vizier. It is argued that, despite certain legal restrictions outlined by Muslim jurists, dhimmi employment in the government had long been an established policy. The first section discusses the juristic debate on whether non-Muslims could be appointed to public office. The second examines examples of non-Muslim viziers and the nature of their political power. The final section offers possible explanations as to why non-Muslims were needed to help the caliphs administer this governmental office. The article concludes with a brief reflection on the significance of this study for the discussion of the nature of state-religion relations in early Islam.
Sex Differences in Conformity: Status and Gender Role Interpretations.

The experiment examines status and gender role explanations of the tendency for women to conform more than men in group pressure settings. Subjects believed they were assigned to groups containing two males and two females in addition to themselves and received these other group members' opinions, which were represented as deviating from the opinions that subjects had given earlier. Subjects then gave their opinions with the other group members either having or not having surveillance over these opinions. In addition, subjects were required to form impressions of each other's likability or expertise. The findings indicate that subjects' sex and age affected the extent of their conformity. Among older (19 years and older) subjects, females conformed more with surveillance than without it, whereas surveillance did not affect males' conformity. Among younger (under 19 years) subjects, surveillance had no effects. Analysis of sex differences revealed that older females were significantly more conforming than ...
Proteomic Approaches to the Analysis of Early Events in Colony-stimulating Factor-1 Signal Transduction

The exposure of cells to growth factors leads to the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins that play critical roles in initiating cellular responses. These proteins are associated with other nontyrosine-phosphorylated proteins. Together, they represent less than 0.02% of the total cellular protein. To study their functions in growth factor signaling it is necessary to establish their identity, post-translational modifications, and interactions. We have focused on the characterization of this group of proteins during the early response of macrophages to the macrophage growth factor, colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1). We review here the development of approaches to analysis of the rapid CSF-1-induced changes in the CSF-1 receptor tyrosine kinase and phosphotyrosyl signaling complexes. Recent advances in mass spectrometry technology are greatly facilitating the characterization of such complexes. These methods strongly support and enhance genetic approaches that are being used to analyze the function of individual signaling components and pathways.
Immune Assessment of Patients with Chronic Active EBV Infection (CAEBV)

Screening and disease — specific immune responses were evaluated in patients with chronic illness and serologic evidence of active EBV infection. CBC, differentials and sedimentation rates were normal as were T and B cell numbers, T cell subsets, mitogen responses and NK and mononuclear cell numbers. Circulating immune complexes were present in 50% of patients studied. T-cell suppression of Ig production persisted in patients. Production of IL-2, IFN γ and NK activity were diminished in patients. Whether these latter differences are due to or result in the ongoing disease is not understood.
Long- and short-termd-α-tocopherol supplementation inhibits liver collagen α1(Ι) gene expression

We analyzed the role of oxidative stress on liver collagen gene expression in vivo. Long- and short-term supplementation with the lipophilic antioxidantd-α-tocopherol (40 IU/day for 8 wk or 450 IU ...
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency procedures and policies to estimate risk of injury to the male reproductive system.

Risk assessment, as defined by the National Academy of Sciences in 1983, is comprised by the following components: hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed risk assessment guidelines which follow the NAS format for Program Offices to follow in evaluating the potential adverse effects of environmental agents on humans. Guidelines have been published in the Federal Register on cancer, mutagenicity, developmental toxicity, chemical mixtures, and exposure. Proposed guidelines are expected to be published shortly on female and male reproductive toxicity.
Rapid Assembly of Colloidal Monolayer for the Synthesis of Surface Anisotropic Particles

A facile and efficient technique for synthesizing rapid and large-scale colloidal monolayer is introduced to obtain surface anisotropic particles. Silica particles grafted with long alkyl chains are rapidly organized into monolayer assemblies by implementing water-film climbing and convective particle assembly on glass slides. Assembled particles are modified into surface-anisotropic particles utilizing physical vapor deposition with a magnetically active material. The magnetic hemisphere enables separation of modified and unmodified surface-anisotropic particles. The proposed methodology can lead to a large-scale production opportunity for surface-anisotropic particles.
Environmental setting of Holocene sabellariid worm reefs, northern Belize

Communities of sabellariid worms (Polychaeta) occur as areally discontinuous, unlithified reefs on an irregular depositional topography of Holocene and older sediments at the mouth of the Northern River Lagoon, Belize, Central America. They are found in nearshore marine, moderate energy, tidally influenced environments of normal to low salinity. These colonies, as much as 30 cm thick, are composed of dense thickets of agglutinated worm tubes (1.0 mm diameter, 3.0 cm length) that trap and bind sand- to silt-sized bioclastic debris, microorganisms, and micrite
Graphene on nanoscale gratings: a novel materials platform for THz electron-beam radiation

THz light emission based on electron-beam radiation mechanisms in graphene (i.e., cyclotron-like emission and the Smith-Purcell effect) is investigated numerically. Technologically significant power levels at tunable THz frequencies are computed.
Biology of Agathis gibbosa (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a Primary Parasite of the Potato Tuberworm

Agathis gibbosa (Say), a primary, solitary, larval endoparasite of Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), was studied under laboratory conditions of 26.7 ± 1Â°C and 50 ± 2%, RH. The egg is deposited in any of the ganglia along the ventral nerve cord of the host larva. The parasite larva develops in the body cavity, emerging after the host larva has spun its cocoon, and then feeds externally on the host larva for 1 to 2 days before spinning its own cocoon inside that of its host. There are 3 instars, the first being mandibulate and the other two hymenopteriform. Total developmental time from egg to adult ranged from 16 to 22 days; average, 18 days. The duration of each developmental stage was: egg 3.5 days, 1st stage 3.5 days, 2nd stage 1 day, 3rd stage 3 days, prepupa 2 days, and pupa 3 days. Adult emergence was stimulated by light, and copulation occurred within a few minutes to several hours later. Males mated several times, females only once. Unmated females produced only males, mated females both males and females. There is essentially no pre-oviposition period. Without food and water, adults died within 2.6 days; with both honey and water, males lived an average of 12.6 days and females 18 days. The highest average daily production of progeny among 10 mated females was 40.5. The females had an average ovipositional period of 9 days and produced an average of 288.5 adult progeny. Longevity of the mated females averaged 10.8 days and the sex ratio (♂ : ♀) of their progeny averaged 1.9:1.
Design and Development of the Network Management System of Students' Physical Fitness Measurement and Health Evaluation

Design and development of the network management system of students' physical fitness measurement and health evaluation is the expanding of the online functions of the submission software for national database.It not only adapts to the present administrative patterns of college teaching and students' evaluation and management,but also is able to store many year mass physical fitness data.It can achieve the following functions,such as information distribution,data feedbacks and data management,inquiring statistics and analysis,evaluation and instruction,testing and supervision,typing and outputting the standard reports and so on.Adopted the literature review,expert interview,programming analysis,this paper makes research on it in order to solve the transmission and management of the mass data.Based on networks compiling with the ASP.NET language,it selects the SQL Server 2000 to be the background database and adopts double firewalls and three-layer system structures,so it has higher safety and visiting rate.In a word,its results are very good to running and popularizing.
Evaluation on the consequencese of different educations of tuberculosis among college students in Taian

Objective To explore an ideal and more accetible educational method of how to prevent tuboculosis among colege students in Taian.Methods A total of 1481 freshmen from 3 universities were randomly selected by using a cluster sampling method,and 3 kinds of educational activites including TB knowledge competition,specific education classe and handing out leaflets/posters were carried out.Two questionnaire survies were conducted before and after health education.A database was established and all the data was analysised with SPSS13.0.Results The investigation revealed that after the educational intervention the overall awareness rate increased from 52.07% to 83.11%,the difference was significant(χ2=1994.21,P0.01).Meanwhile the awearness rates in 3 different educational intervention groups were also up from 51.91%,52.06% and 52.22% to 95.14%,83.01% and 71.19% respectivly(χ2=705.14,321.01,110.44,P0.01).Also the rates among each goup were found to be stactically different(χ2 =0.33,0.09,0.06,P0.05).Conclusions Knowledge contest,specific educational classe and handing out leaflets/posters are important ways for TB education.The awareness rate of TB knowledge can be improved by health educational intervetion among college students and knowledge contests is considered to be the most effective activity.
Myoma and infertility

This paper aimed to investigated the relationship between myomas and infertility. Proper evaluation of the location and size of myomas, and endometrial cavity is the most important factor determining the reproductive outcomes. Studies demonstrate that submucosal myomas and intramural myomas with endometrial cavity distortion are associated with decreased reproductive outcomes compared with a normal cavity. Myomectomy should be considered for this situation. Myomectomy should also be considered for patients with large myomas, and for patients with unexplained unsuccessful IVF cycles. Appropriate treatment should be taken separately for different situation.
Physican handwriting legibility is as good (or bad) as everyone else

Purpose To compare handwriting legibility among professions. Methods A convenience sample, stratified by gender, of 20 right-handed volunteers each from 7 occupations rapidly wrote the sentence “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” in Results Among 70 males and 70 females, with ages 18 to 64 years and 12 to 28 years of education, only education differed among groups. Legibility scores did not differ significantly by occupation, age, or education, but legibility was significantly and consistently better in women. There was good intra- and interrater agreement (kappa 0.35-0.56 and 0.23, respectively, p
Cardiovascular Evaluation before Circulatory Arrest for Removal of Vena Caval Extension of Renal Carcinoma

AbstractThe use of cardiopulmonary bypass, deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest has decreased the risks of hemorrhage, tumor embolization, incomplete thrombus resection, and warm hepatic and renal ischemia associated with resection of renal cell carcinoma extending into the inferior vena cava above the hepatic veins. Patients about to undergo this operation frequently have significant coronary artery and carotid artery disease, and are at risk for perioperative myocardial infarction and stroke. Preoperative evaluation of the coronary artery and carotid artery circulation by coronary angiography, duplex carotid artery scan and digital subtraction carotid angiography is recommended. Depending upon the severity and location of the cardiovascular disease a sequential or simultaneous operation may be performed. This surgical approach can be used in selected patients to facilitate complete tumor thrombectomy with a low operative risk.
The Dawn of the ACS: The Nature of Estimates

Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau undertakes a complete count of the country’s population, or at least attempts to do so; that’s what a census is. The information they gather is very limited: this is known as the Census “short form,” which consists of only six questions on sex, age, race, and household composition. This paper has nothing to do with that.
Association of centre volume and in-hospital mortality in heart failure hospitalisations.

Background Centre volume is an important determinant of outcomes in patients requiring complex medical treatments or surgical procedures. Heart failure hospitalisation (HFH) has become an increasingly complex and resource intensive clinical event. We evaluated the effect of centre volume on mortality and costs in patients with HFH. Methods This was a retrospective registry-based analysis of adult patients discharged with a primary diagnosis of HF from hospitals across New York (NY) State over a 5-year period, between January 2009 and December 2013, using the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System inpatient discharge files. The primary outcome of interest was in-hospital mortality. All patients were followed from the day of admission to either in-hospital death or discharge alive. Results 300 972 HFHs from 198 facilities across NY State were included. Five-year centre volume was associated with a decrease in in-hospital mortality in unadjusted (HR=0.872, 95% CI 0.863 to 0.881, p Conclusions Higher centre volume was associated with lower HFH mortality but increased HFH costs and increased cardiac procedures in a cohort of Medicare and non-Medicare beneficiaries.
Altered Mental Status

An acute confusional state or delirium is characterized by a disturbance in attention and memory that develops over a short period of time. It is usually encountered in a hospital setting, where it is seen in as much as 50% elderly people with multiple medical comorbidities. But it can also be detected in an outpatient setting and in these cases, psychotropic medications should be considered as a possible etiology.
The Rimthan Arch, basin architecture, and stratigraphic trap potential in Saudi Arabia

AbstractThe Rimthan Arch, situated between the Arabian carbonate platform and the Gotnia intrashelf basin, represents a world class hydrocarbon province in Saudi Arabia. Middle to Upper Jurassic shallow-water depositional sequences are associated with productive hydrocarbon fields in which challenges exist in defining exploration targets, mainly stratigraphic trap plays. An attempt is made to investigate the basin depositional architecture on the flank of the Arch and also to model the stratigraphic trap potential of the youngest Arab third-order sequence. The basin architecture, stratal geometries, and impact of tectonics are explored using 3D seismic and well data. Seismic chronostratigraphy, seismic stratigraphy, seismic attribute, and log-based reservoir heterogeneity techniques are applied as an integrated approach to interpret the sequences from basin to reservoir scale. The study identifies two second-order sequences, SEQ 1 and SEQ 2, to frame a 3D geologic model and to examine basin development th...
Retainer practice: scientific, social justice, and ethical perspectives.

Retainer practices set an example to medical students and other providers that the highest level of physician satisfaction is available only to those who serve the wealthy. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Ureteric Stent Use - Part of the Solution and Part of the Problem.

Background: The aim of the study is to comprehensively report on a single tertiary referral center experience with the use of ureteric stents, assess complication burden and determine risk factors to further inform institutional practice. Materials and Methods: The retrospectively analyzed cohorts includes 529 patients treated over a 12 months period. Data regarding details of the index pathology, stent characteristics and complications were collected retrospectively. Results: Most stents (58.9%) were used in the context of stone surgery. Stent encrustation occurred in 14.5% of patients and sepsis in 4.3%. There was a statistically significant difference between the complications of the stents removed after 90 days and the rest of the cohort. Infectious complications were more frequent in diabetic patients and in patients with chronic renal impairment. At our institution, we managed to avoid forgotten stents and catastrophic complications. Conclusion: Stent complications are the complex outcome of interplay between the foreign body and the collecting system environment, influenced by the nature and timing of surgery. Longer stent dwelling times are associated with increased complications rates, especially in patients with significant comorbidities.
DNA Area and NETosis Analysis (DANA): a High-Throughput Method to Quantify Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Fluorescent Microscope Images

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), extracellular structures composed of decondensed chromatin and antimicrobial molecules, are released in a process called NETosis. NETs, which are part of normal host defense, have also been implicated in multiple human diseases. Unfortunately, methods for quantifying NETs have limitations which constrain the study of NETs in disease. Establishing optimal methods for NET quantification holds the potential to further elucidate the role of NETs in normal and pathologic processes. To better quantify NETs and NET-like structures, we created DNA Area and NETosis Analysis (DANA), a novel ImageJ/Java based program which provides a simple, semi-automated approach to quantify NET-like structures and DNA area. DANA can analyze many fluorescent microscope images at once and provides data on a per cell, per image, and per sample basis. Using fluorescent microscope images of Sytox-stained human neutrophils, DANA quantified a similar frequency of NET-like structures to the frequency determined by two different individuals counting by eye, and in a fraction of the time. As expected, DANA also detected increased DNA area and frequency of NET-like structures in neutrophils from subjects with rheumatoid arthritis as compared to control subjects. Using images of DAPI-stained murine neutrophils, DANA (installed by an individual with no programming background) gave similar frequencies of NET-like structures as the frequency of NETs determined by two individuals counting by eye. Further, DANA quantified more NETs in stimulated murine neutrophils compared to unstimulated, as expected. DANA provides a means to quantify DNA decondensation and the frequency of NET-like structures using a variety of different fluorescent markers in a rapid, reliable, simple, high-throughput, and cost-effective manner making it optimal to assess NETosis in a variety of conditions.
Distinguishing the Clinical Nurse Specialist From Other Graduate Nursing Roles.

Purpose Today's healthcare environment poses diverse and complex patient care challenges and requires a highly qualified and experienced nursing workforce. To mitigate these challenges are graduate nursing roles, each with a different set of competencies and expertise. With the availability of many different graduate nursing roles, both patients and healthcare professionals can be confused in understanding the benefit of each role. To gain the maximum benefit from each role, it is important that healthcare providers and administrators are able to distinguish the uniqueness of each role to best use the role and develop strategies for effective collaboration and interprofessional interaction. The purpose of this article was to define the role, educational preparation, role differences, and practice competencies for the clinical nurse specialist (CNS), nurse practitioner, clinical nurse leader, and nurse educator/staff development educator roles. A second purpose was to provide role clarity and demonstrate the unique value the CNS brings to the healthcare environment. Description Using evidence and reviewing role competencies established by varying organizations, each role is presented with similarities and differences among the roles discussed. In addition, collaboration among the identified roles was reviewed, and recommendations were provided for the new and practicing CNSs. Outcomes Although there are some similarities among the graduate nursing roles such as in educational, licensing, and certification requirements, each role must be understood to gain the full role scope and benefit and glean the anticipated outcomes. Conclusions Healthcare providers must be aware of the differences in graduate nursing roles, especially in comparing the CNS with other roles to avoid confusion that may lead to roles being underused with a limited job scope. The CNS provides a unique set of services at all system outcome levels and is an essential part of the healthcare team especially in the acute care setting.
Mentoring Students in a Collaborative Team Environment of Live Performance Production

Teaching students to think and work in a collaborative team environment can be frustrating, inspiring and elusive. In a live performance environment the students are put in the position of having to make decisions as part of a team. The domain is a fast paced goal oriented environment. The plan is to teach a group to become a collaborative team. As an educator I became entranced with Dr.Benjamin Mays’ prayer poem.
The Morphogenesis Of Evolutionary Developmental Biology

The early studies of evolutionary developmental biology (Evo-Devo) come from several sources. Tributaries flowing into Evo-Devo came from such disciplines as embryology, developmental genetics, evolutionary biology, ecology, paleontology, systematics, medical embryology and mathematical modeling. This essay will trace one of the major pathways, that from evolutionary embryology to Evo-Devo and it will show the interactions of this pathway with two other sources of Evo-Devo: ecological developmental biology and medical developmental biology. Together, these three fields are forming a more inclusive evolutionary developmental biology that is revitalizing and providing answers to old and important questions involving the formation of biodiversity on Earth. The phenotype of Evo-Devo is limited by internal constraints on what could be known given the methods and equipment of the time and it has been framed by external factors that include both academic and global politics.
Dynamic behavior of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite twin domains

The recent discovery of twin domains in MAPbI3 perovskites has initiated contentious discussion on the ferroic nature of hybrid perovskites. Ferroelectric polarization is thought to facilitate the dissociation of photoinduced electron-hole pairs, helping to explain the extraordinary photovoltaic performance exhibited by this class of materials. Alternate to ferroelectricity, which has yet to be unambiguously established despite considerable efforts to do so, ferroelasticity was also proposed in these materials. Meanwhile, given the coupling of ionic states and ferroelectricity and the interconnected nature of defect chemistry and ferroelasticity, the electrochemical reactivity can no longer be ignored. In this work, using band excitation piezoresponse force microscopy, we reveal the variation in elasticity between adjacent domains, indicating the ferroelasticity and the difference in the crystallographic states of the twin domain. Moreover, using band excitation contact Kelvin probe force microscopy, we dynamically map the evolution of the twinning structure under electric bias. These results help decipher the effect of the twin domains on ionic mobility and ion diffusion pathways. Combining these results, we reveal the interaction of twin domains and ionic activity in this material. Overall, this work provides insights into the twinning structure in MAPbI3 and its potential effects on the hybrid perovskite optoelectronics.
EGFR role in cancer: A potential therapeutic target

Protein kinases play a vital role in the regulation of pathways that control cell growth, proliferation, survival, and differentiation. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a key protein kinase that when dysregulated, disrupts these pathways and, accordingly, is associated with several cancers. Thus, EGFR has been a focus of investigation as a therapeutic target for cancer treatment for the past several decades, with fair success. Despite this success, EGFR-targeted therapies are not universally effective across cancers, and improving the specificity and efficiency of EGFR-targeted therapies is an area of continued investigation. This chapter discusses recent progress made in understanding the role of EGFR in cancer and how the knowledge have been used to develop more precise EGFR-based therapeutic regimens for cancer patients.
Membrane Potential of Squid Axons

The resting membrane potentials of squid axons were meassured as a function of the nature of the ionic species as well as the ionic strength of the extracellular and intracellular media. The observed membrane potentials were analyzed using two equations: a) the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation, and b) the surface/diffusion potential equation. The overall experimental results were found to be explained better by the surface/diffusion potential equation. The surface charge densities of the outer and inner surfaces (on the surface responsible for the ion transfer) of the squid axons were found to be approximately -e/180 A2 and -e/1300 A2, respectively. Using the obtained surface charge densitities and the membrane potential equation involving divalent cations, the relative permeabilities (with respect to K+) of divalent cations across the squid axon membrane were obtained to be 0.033 for Ca2+, 0.031 for Sr2+ and 0.022 for Mg2+ from the experimental data.
Predictors of attendance in health and wellness treatment groups for people with serious mental illness.

Objective People with serious mental illness have dramatically reduced life expectancy that is largely attributed to elevated rates of chronic medical conditions. Several group interventions have been developed and implemented in recent years to improve health and wellness among people with mental health conditions. Unfortunately, attendance in these interventions is often low, and there is limited understanding of factors that influence patient engagement in this treatment modality. Method Participants (N = 242) were enrolled in 1 of 2 group-based health and wellness treatment programs. Using descriptive statistics and regression, we assessed treatment attendance and a range of potential predictors of attendance. Results We found lower attendance among people who were younger, people with more medical conditions, and people with more emergency room visits in the 6 months prior to the beginning of treatment. Younger age was a particularly strong predictor of low attendance and was the only variable significantly associated with attending zero treatment sessions. Conclusions and implications for practice These results highlight the need for strategies to improve engagement of patients with poorer objective indicators of medical health and patients with younger age. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Clinical characteristics, breed differences, and quality of life in North American dogs with acute steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis.

Background Steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA) is a common inflammatory neurologic disorder of dogs for which certain breeds are predisposed. Objectives To determine whether breed differences exist in clinical features, treatment response, and relapse in a population of North American dogs with SRMA, and to evaluate the effect of disease on dogs' quality of life (QoL). Animals Sixty-one client-owned dogs with SRMA: 29 dogs identified through an American Kennel Club-Canine Health Foundation survey and 32 dogs from North Carolina (NC) State Veterinary Hospital. Methods Retrospective case series. Caregivers completed an online survey to assess QoL. Results Breeds represented most often included the Golden Retriever (n = 12), Bernese Mountain Dog (10), Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (9), Boxer (9), and Beagle (6). No breed differences were identified with respect to clinical severity, diagnostic findings, or outcome. Twenty-nine dogs (48%) had ≥1 disease relapse. There was a significant effect of cerebrospinal fluid nucleated cell count on the frequency of disease relapse (P = .003), but no relationship was identified between treatment protocol and relapse. Dogs' QoL was associated with the severity of corticosteroid-related adverse effects (P = .03), which were dose-related (r = .24, P = .02) and more prevalent in Wirehaired Pointing Griffons than in other breeds (P = .04). Conclusion and clinical importance Golden Retrievers and Wirehaired Pointing Griffons should be considered among the breeds recognized to develop SRMA. Treatment with higher corticosteroid dosages is correlated with more severe adverse effects and worse QoL, but it may not improve clinical outcome.
It Takes a System: Magnesium Sulfate for Prevention of Eclampsia in a Resource-Limited Community Setting.

Magnesium sulfate is not a silver bullet to reduce maternal mortality associated with preeclampsia/eclampsia. We believe a well-functioning health care system, especially at the hospital level, with competent well-trained providers, adequate equipment, and medications will likely be necessary.
Initial Corrosion Behavior of Pure Copper in Atmospheric Environment

The corrosion behavior of pure copper with sodium chloride deposition and without sodium chloride deposition in atmospheric environment was studied by 500h environmental corrosion test and linear polarization test in laboratory, as well as characterization of corrosion products by SEM and XRD. The results showed that pure copper displayed good corrosion resistance in inland atmospheric environment without pollution. After depositing NaCl salt to the surface of pure copper, the corrosion current density increases sharply and plenty of corrosion products is formed on the surface of the sample, consisting of CuO, Cu2O and CuSO4H2O.
Changes in brain functional connectivity and cognition related to white matter lesion burden in hypertensive patients from SPRINT

Hypertension is a risk factor for cognitive impairment; however, the mechanisms leading to cognitive changes remain unclear. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluate the impact of white matter lesion (WML) burden on brain functional connectivity (FC) and cognition in a large cohort of hypertensive patients from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) at baseline. Functional networks were identified from baseline resting state functional MRI scans of 660 SPRINT participants using independent component analysis. WML volumes were calculated from structural MRI. Correlation analyses were carried out between mean FC of each functional network and global WML as well as WML within atlas-defined white matter regions. For networks of interest, voxel-wise-adjusted correlation analyses between FC and regional WML volume were performed. Multiple variable linear regression models were built for cognitive test performance as a function of network FC, followed by mediation analysis. Mean FC of the default mode network (DMN) was negatively correlated with global WML volume, and regional WML volume within the precuneus. Voxel-wise correlation analyses revealed that regional WML was negatively correlated with FC of the DMN’s left lateral temporal region. FC in this region of the DMN was positively correlated to performance on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and demonstrated significant mediation effects. Additional networks also demonstrated global and regional WML correlations; however, they did not demonstrate an association with cognition. In hypertensive patients, greater WML volume is associated with lower FC of the DMN, which in turn is related to poorer cognitive test performance. NCT01206062
Delays in lumbar puncture are independently associated with mortality in cryptococcal meningitis: a nationwide study

Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is the most serious presentation of invasive cryptococcosis. Seen in patients with and without HIV infection, CM is associated with significant morbidity and mortality....
An inter-channel cooperative mechanism mediates PIEZO1’s exquisite mechanosensitivity

ABSTRACT The bowl-shaped structure of PIEZO channels is predicted to flatten in response to mechanical stimuli, gating their pore open. However, how this unique structure allows them to detect exquisitely small changes in membrane tension remains unclear. Here, using pressure clamp electrophysiology, modeling, and molecular dynamics simulations, we show that the single channel open probability of PIEZO1 increases weakly with respect to pressure-induced tension. In contrast, when multiple channels are present in a membrane patch, channel open probability increases steeply as a function of the number of open channels. These cooperative effects are consistent with an inter-channel energetic repulsion due to the local membrane deformation created by the non-planar PIEZO structure. When channels open, this deformation shrinks, allowing open channels to diffuse closer to each other, thus delaying closure. This study reveals how PIEZO1 channels acquire their exceptional mechanosensitivity and suggests a possible mechanism by which cells could rapidly tune mechanosensitivity.
Vulnerable Populations and Vaccine Injury Compensation: The Need for Legal Reform

This chapter argues that the potential for vaccine-related harms raises acute concerns for vulnerable populations. These harms have a disparate impact on low-income people, who are disproportionately non-White, and who have limited financial resources to obtain medical care, weather job losses, and pursue injury compensation. When a vaccine is given as a countermeasure during a declared public health emergency (PHE), the problem is acute because of the limited availability of injury compensation.
Towards Automatic and Agile AI/ML Accelerator Design with End-to-End Synthesis

Domain-specific designs offer greater energy efficiency and performance gain than general-purpose processors. For this reason, modern system-on-chips have a significant portion of their silicon area with custom accelerators. However, designing hardware by hand is laborious and time-consuming, given the large design space and the performance, power, and area constraints that are not realized in the software. Moreover, domain-specific algorithms (e.g., machine learning models) are evolving quickly, challenging the accelerator design further. To address these issues, this paper presents SODA Synthesizer, an automated open-source high-level ML framework to Verilog modular compiler targeting AI/ML Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) accelerators. SODA tightly couples the Multi-Level Intermediate Representation (MLIR) compiler infrastructure [24] and open-source HLS approaches. Thus, SODA can support various ML frameworks and algorithms and can perform optimizations that combine specialized architecture templates and conventional HLS to generate the hardware modules. In addition, SODA’s closed-loop design space exploration (DSE) engine allows developers to perform end-to-end design space explorations on different metrics and technology nodes.
The Extracellular Matrix

Formation of an extracellular matrix (ECM) is required for multicellular life. The ECM provides mechanical support for cells and tissues, allows for organization of cellular structures and serves as a rich source of signals that influence cell behavior. Cellular signals that emanate from the ECM include those of molecular origin, such as growth factors that are sequestered in the matrix and ECM proteins that interact with cellular receptors in their own right. Signals also include tension and mechanical forces that are sensed by cells within a particular tissue environment. Once considered a fairly inert, structural element of living tissues, the ECM is now appreciated as a dynamic tissue component that interacts with cells and is a driving force in many fundamental processes of cell biology.
Structural and Functional Approaches to Psychopathology and Case Formulation

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the functional analytic approaches to case formulation and treatment for all the major categories of psychopathology. The chapter begins by contrasting structural and functional approaches to behavior, including psychopathology. Then the radical behaviorism is defined by contrasting it with nonbehavioral approaches as well as other forms of behaviorism, such as earlier methodological behaviorism and more current forms of behavior and cognitive behavioral therapy. Structuralism and functionalism are two distinct approaches taken towards many intellectual endeavors, including anthropology, sociology, literature, linguistics, and indeed psychology. They differ in the status given to observations and the aim of the intellectual project. Structuralism takes observations to be tokens of underlying hidden structures that cannot be directly observed, but rather are inferred from superficial observations. Functionalism places great emphasis on the role of environmental variables and the relationship of the observed phenomenon to the environment. Biological evolution is one of the most characteristic examples of functionalism, which is closely related to behaviorism.
Reciprocal Control of Forkhead box O 3a and c-Myc via the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Pathway Coordinately Regulates p27Kip1 Levels

B cell receptor (BCR) engagement of murine WEHI 231 immature B lymphoma cells leads sequentially to a drop in NF-kappa B and c-Myc, and induction of the p27(Kip1) cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, which promotes growth arrest and apoptosis. BCR engagement was recently shown to induce a drop in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling, preceding the increase in p27. As induction of p27 is due to an increase in gene transcription, we investigated the role of the Forkhead box O (FOXO) transcription factor family, which has been shown to potently induce p27 promoter activity. We demonstrate that pharmacologic inhibitors of PI3K or BCR engagement lead to decreased inactive cytoplasmic levels and increased active functional nuclear FOXO3a. In contrast, inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling decreased the levels of NF-kappa B and c-Myc, which has been shown to repress p27 promoter activity. To test the effects of ectopic c-Myc on endogenous p27 levels, WEHI 231 cells stably expressing c-Myc or empty vector DNA were prepared. Ectopic c-Myc blocked the induction of p27 expression upon either inhibition of PI3K or BCR engagement. Thus, p27(Kip1) is coordinately regulated via two arms of a signaling pathway that are inversely controlled upon inhibition of PI3K: induction of the activator FOXO3a and down-regulation of the repressor c-Myc.
Creating historical range of variation (HRV) time series using landscape modeling: Overview and issues [Chapter 8]

Simulation modeling can be a powerful tool for generating information about historical range of variation (HRV) in landscape conditions. In this chapter, I will discuss several aspects of the use of simulation modeling to generate landscape HRV data, including (1) the advantages and disadvantages of using simulation, (2) a brief review of possible landscape models. and (3) the pitfalls and limitations of the simulation approach. This information provides a reference for planning, preparing, implementing, and interpreting HRV simulations and their results.
CONFRONTING A SURFEIT OF PEOPLE: REDUCING GLOBAL HUMAN NUMBERS TO SUSTAINABLE LEVELS An essay on population two centuries after Malthus

It has become increasingly evident over the past several decades that there is a growing tension between two seemingly irreconcilable trends: (1) moderate to conservative demographic projections that world population size could easily reach 9 billion (or more) by the mid-to-late twenty-first century; and (2) prudent and increasingly reliable scientific estimates suggesting that the Earth's long-term sustainable carrying capacity (at an 'adequate to comfortable' standard of living) may not be much greater than 2–3 billion. I therefore argue that it is now time – indeed, past time – to develop and implement a set of well-conceived, clearly articulated, broadly equitable and internationally coordinated sociopolitical initiatives that go beyond merely slowing the growth – or even the stabilization – of global human numbers. After summarizing a number of 'inescapable realities' that the human species must soon confront, and notwithstanding the considerable difficulties involved in establishing rational and defensible global population optimums, I conclude with several suggestions relevant to the next logical step: how best to bring about a very significant reduction in global population size over the next two to three centuries. To the extent that there is still time to choose whether this dramatic decrease will be under conscious control or essentially chaotic, these proposals are cautiously optimistic.
On Message.Dependent Deadlocks in Multiprocessor/Multicomputer Systems

The existence of multiple message types and associated intermessage dependencies in multiprocessor/multicomputer systems may cause message-dependent deadlock in networks that are designed to be free of routing deadlock. In this paper, we characterize the frequency of message-dependent deadlocks using empirical methods. Results show that message-dependent deadlocks occur very infrequently under typical circumstances, thus rendering approaches based on avoiding them overly restrictive in the common case.
Thick simplices and quasi-categories

Thick simplices are the nerves of the contractible groupoids obtained by inverting the arrows in the categories [n]. Using explicit expansions of simplicial subsets of the thick simplices, we present a new approach to results of Rezk and of Joyal and Tierney on quasi-categories and their associated Kan complexes of quasi-invertible morphisms.
Highly accelerated chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) measurements with linear algebraic modeling.

Purpose In clinical studies, compartmental average chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) measurements rather than voxel-by-voxel CEST images may suffice for evaluating its diagnostic value. A recently developed method—spectroscopy with linear algebraic modeling, or SLAM—could directly provide compartmental measures with dramatically reduced scan time and optimal signal-to-noise ratios. Here, we test whether SLAM can be adapted to significantly accelerate CEST acquisitions. Theory and Methods Conventional anatomical images and raw CEST image k-space data were acquired from seven brain tumor patients. SLAM was applied to the CEST data using acceleration factors of R = 1–45, after segmenting compartments from co-registered images. SLAM-CEST measures were compared with average values from the identical compartments obtained by conventional Fourier transform (FT) CEST. Results SLAM generated compartmental average CEST z-spectra that were indistinguishable from conventional FT-CEST for R ≤ 45. SLAM-CEST z-spectra at ±3.5 ppm were highly correlated with FT-CEST measures (r2 ≥ 0.98 for R ≤ 9; r ≥ 0.995 for R ≤ 45). The average error of SLAM-CEST versus FT-CEST measures was ≤10% for R ≤ 45, in acquisitions requiring as few as a single k-space phase-encoding step. Conclusion Applied to patients with brain tumors, SLAM-CEST can yield results that are quantitatively equivalent to conventional CEST up to 45 times faster, which could prove enabling in clinical settings where scan time is limiting. Magn Reson Med, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Affinity extraction of proteins from acidic environments (979.2)

Affinity extraction of proteins from acidic environments Affinity purification is widely used to isolate an analyte of interest from a complex mixture, such as a cell lysate. The process involves immobilization of one ligand followed by incubation with a sample containing the binding partner. While most affinity purifications are performed at near-physiological pH, there are situations where performing affinity extraction at low pH would be advantageous, including isolating proteins from acidic environments such as the stomach or acidic hot springs. The affinity pairs most often used for protein purification (e.g., antibody:antigen, GST-tags:glutathione or immobilized metals:6xHis tags) have limited or abolished binding at low pH. Here we employed a published double mutant of streptavidin which is known to form a tight complex with biotin at low pH. A vector designed to incorporate an N-terminal biotinylation sequence onto a protein was used to direct in vivo biotinylation of a selected lysine residue in ...