cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting motility and morphology of Cryptosporidium sporozoites in vitro

In vitro motility and morphology of Cryptosporidium sporozoites were examined in the presence of various solutions. Crude preparations of the bile salt, taurocholic acid, maintained both motility and morphology in a dose-dependent manner. These effects appeared to be due to the taurocholic acid itself, and not simply due to pH variations, osmotic factors, or contaminants. Lysis of sporozoites was also observed and was found to be dependent on pH, with acidic conditions (pH < 6.2) triggering the lysis.
Thirteen Years of Building Constraint-Based In Silico Models of Escherichia coli

The recent flood of genomic ([13][1]), transcriptomic ([29][2]), and other high-throughput data ([21][3], [33][4], [45][5]) makes the need to interpret this information in a systemic fashion increasingly pressing. The construction of in silico models represents a way to interpret these data and
Comparison of physical quality and composition of eggs from historic strains of single comb White Leghorn chickens

The effect of long-term genetic selection on physical quality and composition of eggs was determined by analyzing eggs acquired from Agriculture Canada: Ottawa Control Strain 5 (CS5) from a 1950 base population, 7 (CS7) from a 1958 population and 10 (CS10) from a 1972 population. Eggs from the HN albumen protein, solids and pH; percentage yolk solids and fat; Haugh units; and specific gravity. Significant (P < 0.05) differences found between strains included a progressive increase in weight of eggs from the CS5 to CCS. Although the eggs increased in size, no significant differences were found between strains for specific gravity or percentage shell weight. Yolk weights of eggs from the strains examined did not differ. However, the percentage of yolk found in current strain eggs was significantly lower (P < 0.05), with a subsequent higher percentage albumen due to the increase in egg size of the CCS. Haugh units were significantly higher in the CS10 and CCS strains than in the other strains. No significant differences between strains were seen in albumen protein, solids, pH, or yolk solids. Mean percentage yolk fat assay values for eggs from the CS5, CS7, CS10, and CCS strains were 33.08, 32.68, 32.84, and 32.40, respectively. Percentage yolk fat values obtained from CCS were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those obtained from the other strains. The results from this study indicate that genetic selection has produced larger eggs containing a lower percentage of yolk while overall egg quality has been maintained or improved.
2-Alkoxycarbonylaminopyridines: inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis FtsZ

Compounds originally designed as putative tubulin inhibitors were tested as antitubercular agents for inhibition of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis analogue of tubulin, FtsZ. Initial screening of 200 2-alkoxycarbonylpyridines found several that inhibited M. tuberculosis growth. Two compounds, SRI-3072 and SRI-7614, inhibited FtsZ polymerization and were equipotent against susceptible and single-drug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis. In addition, SRI-3072 reduced the growth of M. tuberculosis in mouse bone marrow macrophages. Our results suggest that these types of compound might be developed into antitubercular drugs effective against the current multidrug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis.
When Using Patient-Reported Outcomes in Clinical Practice, the Measure Matters: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The authors' results suggest that, when using PROs in clinical practice for patient management, the PRO measure matters in terms of usefulness to patients. The authors advise careful selection of the PRO measure best suited for the particular clinical practice application.
Posterior Internal Ophthalmomyiasis: Identification of a Surgically Removed Cuterebra Larva by Scanning Electron Microscopy

The clinical presentation of an 11-year-old boy with unilateral posterior internal ophthalmomyiasis is described. Ophthalmoscopy of the affected eye in this individual disclosed characteristic subretinal depigmented linear tracks and a larva within the vitreous. The intravitreal larva was retrieved successfully by pars plana vitrectomy and identified as the first instar of Cuterebra sp. (rodent botfly) by scanning electron microscopy. This was done by examining the external features of the larva by scanning electron microscopy and comparing them to scanning electron micrographs that were prepared on other first instar larvae of flies known to be implicated in internal ophthalmomyiasis. The study demonstrates the usefulness of scanning electron microscopy for taxonomic identification of fly larvae. Since even a small fragment of these organisms may contain characteristic features of external morphology, scanning electron microscopy may be useful in cases where the specimen is damaged or incomplete.
Inertial confinement fusion using the OMEGA laser

The OMEGA/OMEGA EP Laser System is being used to study a variety of approaches to direct-drive inertial confinement fusion—the traditional central hot-spot (CHS) approach, fast ignition (FI), and shock ignition (SI). To achieve ignition, CHS requires the highly uniform compression of a solid deuterium-tritium (DT) layered target on a low-adiabat (defined as the ratio of the pressure to the Fermi-degenerate pressure) and with an implosion velocity, v > 3.5 × 10^7 cm/s. A laser-pulse shape with multiple pickets produces this low adiabat. The timing of multiple shocks launched by the pickets and the main laser pulse is optimized in experiments using cone-in-shell geometry. Cryogenic targets imploded with optimally timed, low-adiabat multiple-picket pulses have demonstrated near 1-D compression with an areal density, ρR = 290 mg/cm2, at v = 3.1 × 107cm/s. These are by far the highest DT areal densities demonstrated in the laboratory. FI and SI relax energy and uniformity requirements on the compression laser by separating fuel assembly from ignition. Integrated FI experiments have been performed on the OMEGA/OMEGA EP Laser System. A 10-ps, 1-kJ OMEGA EP beam is pointed into the tip of a gold cone inserted into a thick plastic converging and compressing shell. The neutron yield increased by more than a factor of 2 when the OMEGA EP beam was optimally delayed, indicating -10% conversion efficiency from laser energy to core heating. Shock-ignition experiments, where a shock is launched by a picket at the end of the laser pulse into the compressing capsule, have been performed on low-adiabat warm plastic targets. Both yield and areal density improve significantly when a spike is used at the end of the laser pulse, indicating that energy from the shock is coupled into the compressing target. This talk will discuss these results, compare them to simulations, and identify future work necessary to demonstrate ignition relevance for all these schemes.
Synthesis and DHFR inhibitory activity of a series of 6-substituted-2,4-diaminothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines.

Abstract A series of 6-aralkyl substituted 2,4-diaminothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines in which the 6-aryl group is separated from the thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine ring by two to five methylene groups were synthesized and studied as inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase from Pneumocystis carinii, Toxoplasma gondii, Mycobacterium avium, and rat liver. Compounds in which the thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine ring is separated from the 6-aryl substituent by three methylene groups were the most potent inhibitors of the series (with IC50 values ranging from 0.24 and 11.0 μM) but those with two methylene groups between the aromatic rings were the most selective agents.
Motion picture impacts on destination images

Abstract This study employed an experimental design to assess the extent to which viewing a specific popular motion picture altered cognitive and affective images of the place it depicted, as well as familiarity with, and interest in visiting it. A conceptual framework, which introduces the concept of vicarious experience through empathy, is introduced, and the role of empathy in explaining perceptual change is explored. Implications of the study pertain to the development of theoretical understandings about the relationships of movies—as a form of popular culture—to destination images. Additionally, marketing ideas associated with these relationships are discussed.
Design and development of a 68000-based self-contained sub-sea data acquisition and control system

The design and construction of a custom microprocessor-based data and control module used in a remote subsea sensing application are described. The fundamental research objective was to collect data remotely at various ocean depths with hardware configured as an average cosine meter (ACM). The hardware, installed in a high pressure housing, collects data used in measuring the concentration of phytoplankton at various ocean depths. The device is designed to drift from the research vessel and begin sampling prior to and during its descent. The device is a microprocessor-controlled instrument containing two shuttered photodiode light sensors, a pressure sensor, and an internal temperature sensor. >
Colchicine Poisoning: Report of a Fatal Case with Body Fluid Analysis by GC/MS and Histopathologic Examination of Postmortem Tissues

A suicide caused by oral ingestion of colchicine is reported. Postmortem examination revealed circulating Pelger-Huet polymorphonuclear leukocytes and numerous mitotic and chromatin bodies in tissues with rapid cell turnover. Colchicine was identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) of an organic extract of a urine specimen obtained about 36 h after the patient's original hospitalization. The clinical history and pathology of this rarely encountered intoxication are correlated with previous reports, and the rapid detection of colchicine by GC/MS is discussed.
A new machine strategy for sculptured surfaces using offset surface

A new CNC tool path planning method is developed for accurate and efficient finishing cutting of sculptured surfaces. The proposed method generates CNC tool paths based on an offset surface of an object instead of the actual surface. The new algorithm consists of two main computational techniques: offset surface generation technique and offset CNC tool path planning technique. In offset surface generation, approximate parametric offset surfaces are generated accurately from an original parametric surface by employing bi-cubic surface patch, surface conversion, and surface subdivision algorithms. In offset CNC tool path planning, the precise geometric models of chordal deviation and cusp height on an offset surface are established. The effectiveness of this proposed CNC tool path planning method is verified by geometric simulation and verification which detect and identify errors in CNC tool paths.
Checkered Flower Beetle (Coleoptera: Cleridae) Attractant: Development of an Effective Bait

Cyclohexyl phenylacetate, a lure for male and female checkered flower beetles, Trichodes ornatus Say, impregnated on rubber septa was effective for 6 weeks in the field. Beetle captures in traps baited with septa containing 200–400 mg of the lure were statistically equal. Septum containing 400 mg lure initially will lose ca. 200 mg through evaporation by the 43rd day; thus, two baits suffice for the beetle’s principle flight period which lasts from early June to mid-August in Washington.
Focal adhesion kinase regulation in stem cell alignment and spreading on nanofibers.

While electrospun nanofibers have demonstrated the potential for novel tissue engineering scaffolds, very little is known about the molecular mechanism of how cells sense and adapt to nanofibers. Here, we revealed the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), one of the key molecular sensors in the focal adhesion complex, in regulating mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) shaping on nanofibers. We produced uniaxially aligned and randomly distributed nanofibers from poly(l-lactic acid) to have the same diameters (about 130 nm) and evaluated MSC behavior on these nanofibers comparing with that on flat PLLA control. C3H10T1/2 murine MSCs exhibited upregulations in FAK expression and phosphorylation (pY397) on nanofibrous cultures as assessed by immunoblotting, and this trend was even greater on aligned nanofibers. MSCs showed significantly elongated and well-spread morphologies on aligned and random nanofibers, respectively. In the presence of FAK silencing via small hairpin RNA (shRNA), cell elongation length in the aligned nanofiber direction (cell major axis length) was significantly decreased, while cells still showed preferred orientation along the aligned nanofibers. On random nanofibers, MSCs with FAK-shRNA showed impaired cell spreading resulting in smaller cell area and higher circularity. Our study provides new data on how MSCs shape their morphologies on aligned and random nanofibrous cultures potentially via FAK-mediated mechanism.
Control of Boll Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Through Crop Residue Disposal: Destruction of Subtropical Cotton Under Inclement Conditions

Efforts to use areawide cotton-stalk destruction as a mandatory cultural control for the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) population of boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman, have been seriously impeded by a current lack of means by which to destroy volunteer and regrowth cotton effectively under inclement conditions. The hazard posed by such cotton was demonstrated in studies that indicated a potential production of ca. 483,000 adult boll weevils per hectare on cotton regrowth from the time stalks were shredded (October 1985) until the subsequent production season (March 1986). Studies demonstrated the feasibility of two alternatives to conventional plowing: subsurface sweep tillage, which inflicted >99.9% mortality of mature cotton stalks occurring on dry and highly compacted soils; and application of two herbicides (paraquat and dicamba), which destroyed >95% of volunteer seedlings and may represent the only feasible means of stalk destruction in certain situations (e.g., on water-saturated soils). The role of optional stalk destruction strategies in an areawide pest management program directed against the LRGV boll weevil population is discussed.
Abstract B42: Nelfinavir potentiates the anti-cancer efficacy of curcumin by subverting endoplasmic reticulum stress toward apoptosis: A promising chemoprevention approach

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States. Despite the availability of treatments against localized PCa, the clinical management of advanced PCa remains a significant challenge in relation to both patient morbidity and escalating healthcare costs. Therefore, the ability to suppress cancer growth using safe natural compounds as chemopreventive agents, e.g. Curcumin (CUR), is emerging as a promising and cost-effective approach. The anti-cancer effects of CUR have been associated with its ability to suppress crucial survival pathways in cancer cells, e.g. PI3K/Akt and NF-κB signaling. However, clinical trials investigating the anti-cancer potential of CUR have clearly indicated that this phytochemical will be of limited efficacy when used alone. Aggressive cancer cells utilize multiple master regulatory pathways to dictate their growth, survival and death decisions, which need to be simultaneously targeted towards an effective anti-cancer approach. Indeed, recent findings demonstrate that the control of cell survival and apoptosis is exquisitely regulated via the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress cascades. Numerous recent studies have shown that the clinically approved HIV-1 protease inhibitor drug, Nelfinavir (NFV) is an well-tolerated oral drug with promising anti-cancer properties. The antitumor effects of NFV is believed to be via the suppression of PI3K/Akt and the induction of ER-stress. Therefore, we hypothesized that the constitutive ER-stress in aggressive cancer cells can be subverted towards apoptosis by chronic exposure to CUR and NFV, which will be a novel chemoprevention approach. In vitro studies (MTT cytotoxicity-assays) in two aggressive PCa cell lines, i.e. C4-2B and PC-3, showed significant (p Citation Format: Aditi Mathur, Mikhail L. Kostochka, Asim B. Abdel-Mageed, Debasis Mondal. Nelfinavir potentiates the anti-cancer efficacy of curcumin by subverting endoplasmic reticulum stress toward apoptosis: A promising chemoprevention approach. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirteenth Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2014 Sep 27-Oct 1; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2015;8(10 Suppl): Abstract nr B42.
Eighth Grade Mathematics Intervention: Improving Student Self-Esteem and Content Knowledge of Targeted Mathematic Skills

8 CHAPTER 1 EIGHTH GRADE MATHEMATICS INTERVENTION 9 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM 10 PURPOSE STATEMENT 11 RESEARCH QUESTION 11 THEORETICAL RATIONALE 12 MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS 13 CULTIVATING A SENSE OF BELONGING AND ESTEEM 14 ASSUMPTIONS 18 BACKGROUND AND NEED 19 SUMMARY 20 CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE 2
Examination of West Nile Virus Neuroinvasion and Neuropathogenesis in the Central Nervous System of a Murine Model

West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurotropic virus that causes inflammation and neuronal loss in the Central Nervous System leading to encephalitis and death. In this chapter, detailed methods to detect WNV in the murine brain tissue by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and viral plaque assays are described. Determination of WNV neuropathogenesis by Hematoxylin and Eosin staining and immunohistochemical procedures are provided. In addition, TUNEL assays to determine neuronal loss during WNV neuropathogenesis are discussed in detail. Collectively, the methods mentioned in this chapter provide an overview to understand neuroinvasion and neuropathogenesis in a murine model of WNV infection.
Spectroelectrochemistry of EuCl3 in Four Molten Salt Eutectics; 3 LiCl−NaCl, 3 LiCl−2 KCl, LiCl−RbCl, and 3 LiCl−2 CsCl; at 873 K

Key electrochemical properties affecting pyroprocessing of nuclear fuel were examined in four eutectic melts using Eu3+/2+ as a representative probe. We report the electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical behavior of EuCl3 in four molten salt eutectics (3 LiClNaCl, 3 LiCl2 KCl, LiClRbCl and 3 LiCl2 CsCl) at 873 K. Cyclic voltammetry was used to determine the reduction potential for Eu3+/2+ and the applied potentials for spectroelectrochemistry. Single step chronoabsorptometry and thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry were used to obtain the number of electrons transferred, reduction potentials and diffusion coefficients for Eu3+ in each eutectic melt. The reduction potentials determined by thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry were essentially the same as those obtained using cyclic voltammetry. The diffusion coefficient for Eu3+ was the largest in the 3 LiClNaCl melt, showed a negative shift in the 3 LiCl2 KCl melt, and was the smallest in the LiClRbCl and 3 LiCl2 CsCl eutectic melts. The basic one-electron reversible electron transfer for Eu3+/2+ was not affected by melt composition.
The Neurologic Complications of Cardiovascular Disease

Many cardiac disorders masquerade as neurologic problems. Differential diagnosis is discussed, as well as common neurologic presentations of cardiovascular disease, particularly stroke syndromes arising from emboli, the multitude of disorders that results in loss of consciousness, and neurologic symptoms and signs caused by cardiac drugs.
Nanochitosan and the Skin

Chitosan is a non-toxic, biodegradable, polycationic polysaccharide, easily obtained from the naturally abundant chitin from the exoskeleton of crustaceans (Fig. 9.1) through deacetylation (partial, typically 66–95 %) and partial depolymerization (less extensive). It is a polymeric 2-amino-2-deoxy-β-D-glucan formed through 1→4 glycosidic linkages. The interest in chitosan as delivery vehicle for active species was generated by the knowledge that it is broken down by the enzyme lysozyme in the human body releasing harmless amino sugars [1], hence biocompatible. The rate and extent of its biodegradability depends on its degree of deacetylation (DD), slower for higher DD values [2].
The Diagnostic Dilemma of Fabry Disease: Unusual Presentation in Young Female Delays Diagnosis (P5.109)

OBJECTIVE: To call attention to an atypical presentation of Fabry Disease (FD) in a young female, as a classical functional autonomic disorder, and the importance of autonomic testing in raising the suspicion of a structural diagnosis. BACKGROUND: Autonomic disorders may be classified into structural or functional subtypes. Functional disorders typically occur in younger patients, and harbor multiple co-morbid syndromes such as postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). In contrast, structural disorders, such as diabetic neuropathy, familial dysautonomia, and Fabry’s tend to present better defined symptom constellations and putative pathology. This case involves a patient who presented as a typical functional disorder but actually has FD. DESIGN: A 23-year-old female had a long standing history of IBS since age 10, and migraine, CRPS, postural intolerance, and gastroparesis since her teens. RESULTS: Autonomic testing revealed orthostatic hypotension rather than POTS with a 25/22 drop in BP over 5 minutes, cardiac response to deep breathing of 2.2 bpm, Valsalva-ratio of 1.13, and poor phase-II late BP return, indicating a structural disorder. Quantitative-Sudomotor-Axon-Reflex-Test responses were abnormal in left extremities. Reduced alpha-galactosidase enzyme activity indicated she was FD carrier. It is unusual for a female carrier (with or without lyonization) to be symptomatic at a very young age. CONCLUSION: Female FD patients can rarely have symptom onset in first decade of life (but more usually in second decade). The classical presentation of neuropathic pain is not always the initial presentation in FD. When autonomic manifestations dominate, one would not usually expect to see multiple syndromes as in our patient. The loss of cardiovascular responses showing parasympathetic and sympathetic failure was critical in suggesting a structural disorder and lead to more specific diagnostic search. Early diagnosis and initiation of enzyme replacement therapy can improve outcome in affected individuals. Disclosure: Dr. Chelimsky has received personal compensation for activities with Lundbeck and Ironwood Pharma as an advisory board member. Dr. Farooq has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jafri has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hiner has received personal compensation for activities with Teva Neuroscience.
Misconceptions about HRM Start Early

This study explores possible origins of misconceptions about human resource management. Rynes, Colbert, and Brown (2002b) found that human resource professionals hold many beliefs that are contrary to well-established human resource research findings. The present study found that undergraduates and MBA students hold many of the same misconceptions. This finding suggests that some false beliefs held by human resource professionals are formed long before they enter the profession. Implications for human resources education are discussed.
A representation independent propagator. II : Lie groups with square integrable representations

Nous avons recemment introduit un propagateur dans le cas d'un groupe de Lie compact reel, independant de la representation. Dans cet article, nous prouvons qu'un tel propagateur peut etre defini pour un groupe de Lie connexe et simplement connexe admettant des representations de carre integrable. Bien que l'espace des configurations soit, en general, une variete courbe, la regularisation sur reseau de ce propagateur correspond neanmoins a un propagateur sur une variete plate.
Factors influencing herpetofaunal assemblages of aquatic systems in a managed pine forest

Abstract Although >12 million ha of southeastern United States are intensively managed pine forest, we have little understanding of biological contributions of aquatic systems embedded in pine plantations. Further, the influence surrounding forest stand structure on assemblages of wetland-associated species in managed forests are poorly understood. To address these gaps, we investigated herpetofaunal assemblages across three ephemeral aquatic system types [unaltered sites (n = 16), altered sites (n = 18), and roadside ditches (n = 19)] embedded in an intensively managed pine landscape in eastern North Carolina, USA. These aquatic systems varied in their disturbance intensity and landscape context. Unaltered sites were avoided by silvicultural activities (set aside), altered sites were actively managed as part of the surrounding plantation, and ditches received maintenance as part of routine forest management. We examined amphibian and reptile species richness and assemblage composition at 53 aquatic sites surrounded by early-, middle-, or late-rotation aged pine plantations. During January–July 2013 and January–June 2014, we detected 34 amphibian and reptile species with visual encounter, dipnet, and call surveys at aquatic sites. We estimated species richness and used Analysis of Similarity to assess differences in species richness and assemblage structure by aquatic system type and stand age class. Amphibian species richness was greatest in unaltered and altered sites but was similar among stand age classes. Reptile species richness was similar among aquatic system types and stand age classes. Analysis of Similarity results revealed that amphibian assemblages were similar among stand age classes but were significantly different among all aquatic systems. Reptile assemblages also were similar among stand age classes but differed between altered sites and roadside ditches. Differences between richness and assemblage results may have been related to low detections of reptiles because our non-metric multi-dimensional scaling analysis, which only included species with >1 detection, revealed less obvious differences among reptile assemblages by aquatic system type. Despite dramatic variation in disturbance intensity and site-level environmental metrics, we did not find distinct herpetofaunal assemblages among aquatic system types or stand age classes. Our results suggest that aquatic systems in reconfigured landscapes not only support a range of herpetofaunal species, but that amphibian and reptile assemblages are similar across system types.
The Birdhouse Project as Experiential Learning Tool for College Students and Beyond

This study details the use of a project-based experiential exercise in a 4-year university Sociology of Death and Dying classroom setting in a large public institution in the United States. The Birdhouse Project was implemented with 436 student participants from 15 senior-level Death and Dying classes across six regular semesters over a 3-year span. Findings clearly indicate the efficacy of the project in both educational and clinical settings for encouraging growth in knowledge building, insight or compassion building, and skills building. Additionally, through implementation of the project, participants experienced improved articulation of bereavement issues around both death and nondeath losses.
Dynamic cardiac SPECT imaging using a stationary SPECT camera

The current SPECT scanning paradigm involves slow rotation of multiple detectors around the patient, and is not well adapted to performing multiple collections of tomographically complete data over short time intervals. In order to rotate the detectors fast around the patient, the detectors of the current SPECT scanner are made to rotate in a circular path resulting increase in the distance of detectors from the patient and a decrease in spatial resolution. We are investigating a novel SPECT camera with the capability to collect full tomographic data every 2 seconds. The proposed camera uses three stationary detectors mounted with slant-hole collimators that rotate at about 30 rpm. Because the detectors are stationary, they can be placed much closer to the patient for improved spatial resolution. With Monte Carlo simulations and list-mode reconstructions, we compared the performance of conventional 3-headed SPECT with the proposed stationary SPECT system to estimate the kinetic parameters of two-compartmental model of myocardial perfusion. The study separated the effects of fast temporal scanning speed and better spatial resolution of DyRoSH scanner in estimating the kinetic parameters of myocardial perfusion accurately. The proposed system showed better accuracy in estimating kinetic parameters compared to conventional SPECT scanner.
The origin and natural history of autism spectrum disorders

Refined social phenotyping of syndromic and idiopathic forms of autism, combined with advances in genetics, animal models of syndromes and brain imaging, may facilitate discovery of shared brain mechanisms that will lead to new treatments. The reversal of social deficits in animal models is promising for eventual translation into therapeutics.
Protein Feeding in Pediatric Acute Kidney Injury Is Not Associated With a Delay in Renal Recovery

Objective Critically ill children with acute kidney injury (AKI) are at high risk of underfeeding. Newer guidelines for nutrition support recommend higher protein intake. Therefore, the study evaluated the effects of protein feeding on the resolution of AKI and compared energy and protein intake in patients with and without AKI after implementation of Nutrition Support guidelines. Design Retrospective study. Subjects Five hundred twenty critically ill children from October 2012 to June 2013 and October to December 2013. Main Outcome Measure Energy and protein intake in patients with no AKI, resolved, or persistent AKI. Energy and protein intake was documented for days 1-8 of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit stay and in the postimplementation versus preimplementation period of nutrition support guidelines. AKI was defined by modified pRIFLE. Persistent AKI was defined as patients who did not resolve their AKI during the study period. Results A higher percentage of patients with resolved and persistent AKI met ≥ 80% of protein needs versus no AKI. After adjustment for Pediatric Risk of Mortality Score, the odds ratio for protein intake of ≥ 80% compared to Conclusions Higher protein intake was not associated with a delay in renal recovery in patients with AKI after adjustment for severity of illness. Protein intake was improved in critically ill children with no AKI, resolved, and persistent AKI after implementation of Nutrition Support Guidelines, but underfeeding persisted in these patients.
Effects of Meteorological Variables on the Incidence of Rupture of Intracranial Aneurysms in Central New Jersey.

Introduction Previous studies have suggested relationships between the rupture of intracranial aneurysms and meteorological variables such as season, barometric pressure, and temperature. Our objective was to examine the relationship between the incidence of hospital admissions secondary to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and meteorological variables in central New Jersey. Methods The study population consisted of 312 patients who presented to University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2008, with aSAH. Days in the 6-year period were classified as nonbleed days (no aSAH), bleed days (one or more aSAHs within 1 calendar day), cluster days (two or more aSAHs within 2 calendar days), and multiple-bleed days (two or more aSAHs within 1 calendar day). Results The only significant meteorological risk factor for the occurrence of multiple-bleed days was high barometric pressure (1018.5 versus 1016.5 millibars [mbars]; p < 0.04), but an increase in barometric pressure (+ 2.8 mbars) over the 2 days prior to the multiple-bleed day, although not statistically significant, may be a risk factor (p < 0.09). Barometric pressure was also noted to be increased on bleed days (1017.2 versus 1016.5 mbars) and cluster days (1017.7 versus 1016.5 mbars), but this relationship was not significant (p < 0.1 and p < 0.1, respectively). Although aSAH days demonstrated consistently lower temperatures than non-aSAH days and dropping temperatures were consistently found in the days preceding the aSAH, these relationships were not significant. Conclusion Among meteorological factors, high barometric pressure and low temperature may be risk factors for the onset of aSAH.
Multi-scale analysis of the dynamics of brain functional connectivity using EEG

This paper presents a new approach to investigate the dynamics of functional connectivity at multiple temporal scales from the recordings obtained through electroencephalography (EEG). Discrete wavelet transform (DWT) is utilized to decompose the recorded signals into several frequency bands, and signals corresponding to each frequency band (referred to as subband components) are reconstructed. Using "source-informed segmentation" technique, the subband components are then segmented into intervals during which the spatial distribution of the underlying ensembles of active and functionally connected neurons is expected to stay quasi-stationary. This is achieved through monitoring the running dominant left singular subspace of each subband component matrix for statistically significant shifts in its span over time. Finally, for each identified segment, the source matrix is analyzed for ensembles of functionally connected cortical points. These ensembles are localized through correlating their temporal activity to the dominant right singular vectors of the corresponding source matrix, during the segment. Depending on the number of extracted dominant right singular vectors, multiple ensembles of functionally connected cortical points can be localized per segment and subband. The proposed method is then used to explore the temporal evolution of functional connectivity during a visual oddball task, at scales spanning S-, Q-, and a-bands. Results are presented and discussed.
The architecture of feminicide: The state, inequalities, and everyday gender violence in Honduras

Increasing exclusion and inequality in Honduras have posed escalating security risks for women in their homes and on the streets. In this article, we examine gender-based violence against women, including gender-motivated murders (feminicides), the everyday acts that can result in their deaths, and impunity for these crimes. Rather than analyzing these murders as interpersonal acts or linking them to economic deprivation, we examine the actions and inactions of the state that have amplified violence in the lives of Honduran women. We distinguish between the state’s acts of omission and acts of commission in order to identify the political responsibility and failures that create a fertile ground for these killings. A context of multisided violence that facilitates extreme violence in the lives of women is present in Honduras, especially considering the diminishing power of civil society groups and increased political repression after the 2009 coup. We identify root causes of the wide (and widening) gap between laws on the books—which have been passed mostly to satisfy international and domestic organizations pushing for change—and laws in action, that is, implementation on the ground. Although we focus on Honduras, we note similar experiences of extreme violence in Guatemala, El Salvador, and in other countries in the Latin American region.
Multi-performance retrofits to commercial buildings in seismic zones

AbstractRetrofits to existing buildings for earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters typically focus solely on improving the structural response. However, these retrofits could provide opportunities to radically reduce the energy use of existing buildings to the point of being transformed into Zero Energy Buildings (ZEBs). Adapting strategies and technology used in new ZEBs to the retrofit of existing buildings is only possible when an event, such as a structural retrofit, offers the physical and economic opportunity to completely transform how a building operates in terms of heating, cooling, and lighting – the largest sources of energy use. This paper explores the potential of combining structural and energy retrofits into a combined multi-performance retrofit. Drawing from a database of 25 commercial buildings from the Pacific Northwest region of the U.S. that have undergone different types of retrofits, this paper focuses on the advantages and challenges of multi-performance retrofits for ...
Overlay-based side-channel countermeasures: A case study on correlated noise generation

Side-channel attacks against field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) enable attackers to reverse-engineer bitfile encryption keys, resulting in intellectual-property (IP) theft and tampering. To address this problem, we demonstrate that overlays — virtual architectures implemented atop an FPGA — provide a novel countermeasure strategy that can protect application IP even on vulnerable FPGAs. Although we demonstrate such protection via a case study on correlated noise generation, the approach is potentially applicable to any countermeasure and any overlay. By extending existing overlay benefits (e.g., fast compilation, application portability, 1000x smaller bitfiles) with improved hardware security, our approach provides an attractive platform for Internet of Things, defense, and many embedded applications.
Growth, stress, and defects of heteroepitaxial diamond on Ir/YSZ/Si(111)

Basic understanding of the fundamental processes in crystal growth as well as the structural quality of diamond synthesized by chemical vapour deposition on iridium surfaces has reached a high level for samples with (001) orientation. Diamond deposition on the alternative (111) surface is generally more challenging but of appreciable technological interest, too. In the present work, heteroepitaxy of diamond on Ir/YSZ/Si(111) with different off-axis angles and directions has been studied. During the growth of the first microns, strong and complex intrinsic stress states were rapidly formed. They restricted the range of suitable temperatures in this study to values between 830 °C and 970 °C. At low-stress conditions, the maximum growth rates were about 1 μm/h. They facilitated long-time processes which yielded pronounced structural improvements with minimum values of 0.08° for the azimuthal mosaic spread, 4 × 107 cm−2 for the dislocation density and 1.8 cm−1 for the Raman line width. This refinement is even faster than on (001) growth surfaces. It indicates substantial differences between the two crystal directions in terms of merging of mosaic blocks and annihilation of dislocations. Crystals with a thickness of up to 330 μm have been grown. The correlation of photoluminescence and μ-Raman tomograms with topography data also revealed fundamental differences in the off-axis growth between (001) and (111) orientation. Finally, the analysis of the microscopic structures at the growth surface provided the base for a model that can conclusively explain the intriguing reversal of stress tensor anisotropy caused by a simple inversion in sign of the off-axis angle.
Techniques and cost effectiveness of enteroatmospheric fistula isolation .

UNLABELLED ﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿ Background. The following describes successful isolation of enteroatmospheric fistulae within a negative pressure wound therapy system (V.A.C.®, KCI, San Antonio, TX). METHODS An impermeable tubular structure was placed around the fistula with a dressing applied to the surrounding wound base, dressed with an impermeable drape and negative pressure, and then an ostomy appliance was placed over the isolated fistula stoma. Cost analysis compared traditional dressings to the NPWT isolation method. RESULTS All patients underwent fistula isolation with complete diversion of enteric contents. Typical dressing changes occurred 3 times per week. Four patients were discharged from the hospital prior to surgical repair. CONCLUSION Successful isolation of enteroatmospheric fistulae using a NPWT system has the potential to lower healthcare system costs by allowing for earlier hospital discharge.
Congenital eventration of the septum transversum: a rare form of congenital diaphragmatic anomaly.

A rare congenital anomaly of the central anterior diaphragm is presented. The anomaly consisted of a severe eventration of the septum transversum, and was associated with a cleft lower sternum and congenital heart disease. The pericardium and diaphragm were intact. This anomaly, which can be timed to the seventh week of gestation, is felt to represent a variant of the “pentad syndrome”. It is probably the second such form of this syndrome to appear in the literature.
Patent Litigation Strategy and Its Effects on the Firm

Patent litigation has attracted scholarly attention to reconcile multiple views for new research. Accordingly, this paper addresses patent litigation strategy and its effect on the firm. Based on 106 papers and articles, six books, the author's logic and practice impressions, it first defines patent litigation strategy and differentiates similar concepts. Second, based on the process, the author fine‐tunes patent litigation strategy into three tactics: threat, filing and verdict. Then, she categorizes and examines the impact of patent litigation on market value, monetary gain/loss and strategic collaboration. The findings show that the effect on the market value is more complex and ambiguous than anticipated, and sometimes contradictory. The analysis shows the consistency of monetary effect in practice, that firms tend to have higher monetary gains from private settlement than from legal awards. It also demonstrates that existing studies lag behind reality in investigating the detailed role of patent litigation on strategic collaboration from partnership (e.g. licensing and strategic alliance) to takeover (i.e. merger and acquisition). Finally, the author reflects on the findings, and maps out critical paths toward new research. This process also reveals that stakeholders, industrial settings and country environments moderate the studied relationship. This paper contributes to knowledge and practice: appreciates the interdisciplinary endeavors to draw the findings; categorizes patent litigation and its effect; and critiques prior studies on the relationship to integrate knowledge for future research.
Association of Sociodemographic Factors With Adherence to Age-Specific Guidelines for Asymptomatic Umbilical Hernia Repair in Children.

Importance Current guidelines recommend delaying repair of asymptomatic umbilical hernia in children until after age 4 to 5 years to allow for spontaneous closure. Objective To examine the association of sociodemographic factors with adherence to age-specific guidelines for asymptomatic umbilical hernia repair in children. Design, Setting, and Participants In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, children 17 years and younger who underwent umbilical hernia repair from January 2013 to June 2018 at 47 freestanding children’s hospitals participating in the Pediatric Health Information System database were eligible for study inclusion. Children who underwent multiple procedures, repair of recurrent hernias, or had missing sociodemographic data were excluded. Exposures Early umbilical hernia repair was defined as repair at 3 years or younger. Emergent or urgent presentation was defined as repair performed during the same encounter or within 2 weeks of an emergency department visit, respectively. Patients were categorized by sex, race/ethnicity, insurance type, income quintile, and presence of complex chronic conditions. Main Outcomes and Measures Multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of sociodemographic factors with the odds of early repair after adjusting for emergent or urgent presentation and hospital-level effects. Results Of the 25 877 included children, 13 817 (53.4%) were female, 14 143 (54.7%) had public insurance, and the median (interquartile range) age was 5.0 (3.0-6.0) years. Following adjustment, increased odds of early repair was associated with public insurance (public vs commercial insurance: odds ratio [OR], 1.46; 95% CI, 1.36-1.56;P Conclusions and Relevance Public insurance, lower income, and female sex are independently associated with repair of asymptomatic umbilical hernias in children earlier than recommended by current guidelines. These children may be at greater risk of undergoing repair of umbilical hernias that may spontaneously close with further observation.
Design and Application of a High-Throughput, High-Content Screening System for Natural Product Inhibitors of the Human Parasite Trichomonas vaginalis.

It is estimated that Trichomonas vaginalis affects an astonishing 3.9% of the world's population, and while many of those infected are asymptomatic, progression of the disease can lead to serious health problems. Currently, the nitroimidazoles constitute the only drug class approved to treat trichomoniasis in the United States, which makes the spread of drug resistance a realistic concern. We developed a new image-based, high-throughput, and high-content assay for testing natural products (purified compounds and extracts) for antitrichomonal activity. Applying this assay system to a library of fungal natural product extracts led to the identification of three general classes of natural product inhibitors that exhibited moderate to strong activities against T. vaginalis: anthraquinones, xanthone-anthraquinone heterodimers, and decalin-linked tetramic-acid-containing metabolites. The tetramate natural products emerged as the most promising candidate molecules with pyrrolocin A (51) exhibiting potent activity against the parasite (EC50 = 60 nM), yet this metabolite showed limited toxicity to mammalian cell lines (selectivity index values of 100 and 167 versus 3T3 fibroblast and Ect1 normal cervical cells, respectively). The imaging-based assay system is a powerful tool for the bioassay-guided purification of single-component antitrichomonal biomolecules from complex natural product mixtures.
Medical Evaluation of Athletes: Electrocardiogram

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of sudden death in athletes during sports and exercise, and electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities are present in the majority of conditions associated with SCD. Whether used for screening or diagnostic purposes, proper ECG interpretation is a fundamental skill for physicians responsible for the cardiovascular care of athletes. Contemporary athlete-specific ECG interpretation standards aim to distinguish physiologic cardiac adaptations from findings that may represent a pathologic disorder. This chapter reviews both physiologic and pathologic findings on an athlete’s ECG based on the latest International Criteria for ECG interpretation in athletes. Common training-related ECG changes due to enlarged cardiac chamber size and increased vagal tone include sinus bradycardia, sinus arrhythmia, voltage criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy, incomplete right bundle branch block, and early repolarization. ECG abnormalities unrelated to athletic conditioning and warranting further evaluation include T wave inversions, ST-segment depression, pathologic Q waves, ventricular pre-excitation, and a prolonged QT interval. Proper secondary testing of ECG abnormalities is critical to exclude the presence of pathologic cardiac disease. Athletes with lateral or inferolateral T wave inversion should undergo cardiac magnetic resonance imaging when available. For athletes with a markedly abnormal ECG without evidence of structural disease on initial cardiac imaging, serial evaluation is recommended to monitor for delayed phenotypic expression of cardiomyopathy.