cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of a juvenile hormone analog on reproduction of normal and sterilized adult horn flies (Diptera: Muscidae).

Haematobia irritans (L.), given the juvenile hormone analog methoprene at a concentration of 1 ppm in their blood diet, produced 2-fold as many eggs per day as controls; 3-fold as many eggs per day were produced by flies fed at a concentration of 10 ppm methoprene compared to controls. Flies fed methoprene began oviposition ca. 10 h sooner than normal. However, eggs from treated females were 10% less viable than normal eggs. The effect of dietary methoprene on survival was small and fertility was not recovered in radiosterilized females.
Prediction of prognosis in pulmonary hypertension using CMR: what happens where the right and left ventricles meet?

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is increasingly being used to evaluate patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). A comprehensive CMR study often includes cine imaging to assess left and right ventricular (RV) size and function; tissue characterization to identify pathological processes within the
A simple synthesis of 6-hydroxynorleucine based on the rearrangement of an N-nitrosodichloroacetamide

Abstract 6-Hydroxynorleucine is a versatile chemical intermediate that has found broad use in target-oriented syntheses of numerous biologically active molecules. Despite its widespread use, and despite the various strategies that have been reported for its preparation, however, this compound remains an expensive building block, which suggests that the development of new and efficient synthetic strategies for its preparation could substantially impact a wide field of biochemical research. Herein we report a strategy to synthesize 6-hydroxynorleucine from l -lysine in a one-purification sequence that replaces the side chain’s nitrogen atom with an oxygen by rearranging an N-nitrosodichloroacetamide group into the corresponding ester.
Lean middleware

This paper describes an approach to achieving data integration across multiple sources in an enterprise, in a manner that does not require heavy investment in database and middleware maintenance. This "lean" approach to integration leads to cost-effectiveness and scalability of data integration in the enterprise.
Mechanisms and transition states of 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of phenyl azide with enamines: a computational analysis.

The transition structures for the 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of phenyl azide to enamines derived from acetophenone or phenylacetaldehyde and piperidine, morpholine, or pyrrolidine were located using quantum mechanical methods. These cycloadditions were studied experimentally in 1975 by Meilahn, Cox, and Munk (J. Org. Chem.1975, 40, 819–823). Calculations were carried out with M06-2X/6-311+G(d,p), SCS-MP2/6-311+G(d,p)//M06-2X/6-311+G(d,p), and B97D/6-311+G(d,p) methods with the IEF-PCM solvation model for chloroform and ethanol. The distortion/interaction model was utilized to understand mechanisms, reactivities, and selectivities.
Central Nervous System Immunity in Mice Infected with Theiler's Virus. I. Local Neutralizing Antibody Response

Experimental Theiler's mouse encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection in mice is atypical of most other picornavirus infections because virus persists in the host. It was shown previously that low levels of infectious virus are readily detectable in the central nervous system (CNS) despite the presence of substantial titers of serum neutralizing antibody. In this study antibody assays were performed on CNS tissue homogenates, and neutralizing antibody was regularly found in the CNS of TMEV-infected mice. That neutralization by infected CNS extracts was due to antibody was demonstrated by the specificity of neutralization for TMEV and by elimination or marked reduction of neutralization by in vitro treatment with goat antiserum to mouse IgG. In addition, immunofluorescent staining consistently revealed IgG- but not IgM-containing cells in perivascular cuffs and parenchymal lesions of the brains of infected animals. Evidence of local antibody formation in the CNS was found in the actual reversal of the serum-CNS antibody ratio in about one-third of infected mice after three weeks. In contrast, normal mice had a mean serum-CNS antibody ratio of approximately 100:1 after passive transfer of antibody. Possible reasons for the fact that TMEV is not neutralized by antibody and chronic infection is not aborted include the formation of complexes of infectious virus and antibody in the CNS and the production of antibodies with low affinity for TMEV.
Simulation of RLC Series Circuit Based on Protel DXP 2004

In the paper,we have simulated and analyzed the transient state process of RLC circuit by using the Protel DXP 2004 software.The method of creating the simulation circuit has been introduced.In addition,the simulation programs of circuit under the scenarios of underdamped vibration,critical vibration,and overdamped vibration have been presented with circuit theory.
The effect of renin-angiotensin system blockade on visceral blood flow during and after thoracic aortic cross-clamping.

Surgical procedures necessitating clamping of the thoracic aorta are associated with a high incidence of postoperative renal dysfunction. Plasma renin activity is elevated during and after thoracic aortic occlusion in animals. The pathophysiology of the renal dysfunction may involve the renin-angiotensin system. Blockade of the renin-angiotensin system was studied in a canine model during occlusion of the thoracic aorta. Saralasin, a competitive blocker of angiotensin II, and the converting enzyme inhibitor MK422 were studied. Sixteen animals were separated into three treatment groups: control (five animals), saralasin (five), and MK422 (six). All dogs underwent clamping of the thoracic aorta for 60 minutes. In control animals, plasma renin activity increased from 0.16 ± 0.04 to 6.41 ± 1.57 ng/ml/hr at 30 minutes after thoracic aortic occlusion (p
The role of dornase alfa in the treatment of cystic fibrosis.

ObjectiveTo review the current utility and proper role of dornase alfa (recombinant human DNase or rhDNase), which has been approved for use in cystic fibrosis. Several aspects related to these iss...
Teleconnected ocean forcing of Western North American droughts and pluvials during the last millennium

Abstract Western North America (WNA) is rich in hydroclimate reconstructions, yet questions remain about the causes of decadal-to-multidecadal hydroclimate variability. Teleconnection patterns preserved in annually-resolved tree-ring reconstructed drought maps, and anomalies in a global network of proxy sea surface temperature (SST) reconstructions, were used to reassess the evidence linking ocean forcing to WNA hydroclimate variability over the past millennium. Potential forcing mechanisms of the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) and individual drought and pluvial events—including two multidecadal-length MCA pluvials—were evaluated. We show strong teleconnection patterns occurred during the driest (wettest) years within persistent droughts (pluvials), implicating SSTs as a potent hydroclimate forcing mechanism. The role of the SSTs on longer timescales is more complex. Pacific teleconnection patterns show little long-term change, whereas low-resolution SST reconstructions vary over decades to centuries. While weaker than the tropical Pacific teleconnections, North Atlantic teleconnection patterns and SST reconstructions also show links to WNA droughts and pluvials, and may in part account for longer-term WNA hydroclimate changes. Nonetheless, evidence linking WNA hydroclimate to SSTs still remains sparse and nuanced—especially over long-timescales with a broader range of hydroclimatic variability than characterized during the 20th century.
A 5-volt contactless array 256 kbit flash EEPROM technology

A contactless cell array technology has been developed for a single-power-supply 5V-only CMOS flash EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory). The technology's suitability for VLSI memories has been demonstrated by a 256-kb flash EEPROM test vehicle. This low-current approach has been realized with cell area and cost comparable to those of the recently reported dual-power-supply flash EEPROMs. >
The Last Time: Edward Drinker Cope's Last Trip to Kansas

In late summer, 1893, Edward Drinker Cope (1840–1897) conducted an exploratory and networking expedition through the Dakotas, eastern Wyoming, Kansas, the Panhandle areas of Oklahoma and Texas, and the southwestern part Missouri. This was his last trip to the West. His itinerary, observations and activities were discussed in several letters home as well as in subsequent publications.
Robust planning with incomplete domain models

Most current planners assume complete domain models and focus on generating correct plans. Unfortunately, domain modeling is a laborious and error-prone task, thus real world agents have to plan with incomplete domain models. While domain experts cannot guarantee completeness, often they are able to circumscribe the incompleteness of the model by providing annotations as to which parts of the domain model may be incomplete. In this paper, we study planning problems with incomplete domain models where the annotations specify possible preconditions and effects of actions. We show that the problem of assessing the quality of a plan, or its plan robustness, is #P-complete, establishing its equivalence with the weighted model counting problems. We present two approaches to synthesizing robust plans. While the method based on the compilation to conformant probabilistic planning is much intuitive, its performance appears to be limited to only small problem instances. Our second approach based on stochastic heuristic search works well for much larger problems. It aims to use the robustness measure directly for estimating heuristic distance, which is then used to guide the search. Our planning system, PISA, outperforms a state-of-the-art planner handling incomplete domain models in most of the tested domains, both in terms of plan quality and planning time. Finally, we also present an extension of PISA called CPISA that is able to exploit the available of past successful plan traces to both improve the robustness of the synthesized plans and reduce the domain modeling burden.
Equality, legitimacy, interests, and preferences: historical notes on Quadratic Voting in a political context

The history of political theory can shed light on the question of what political contexts are and are not appropriate for Quadratic Voting (QV), and the methods by which extra votes might be distributed when QV is appropriate. Ancient Greek and contemporary political thought draws attention to the connections between the assumed equality of moral worth among citizens and systems of voting, and to the relationship between equality or inequality of standing to the bases of dessert and the fair distribution of political influence in a democratic state. These matters in turn bear directly on democratic legitimacy, and thus on the stability of the social order. Some issues that must be decided in a democratic community concern common interests. Common-interest issues, based on widely held conceptions of equal moral worth, are not appropriately determined by preference intensity, and thus are inappropriate for a QV voting system. Real-money versions of QV risk undermining respect for law and democratic legitimacy. The costs of system-threatening civil conflict attendant upon loss of legitimacy outweighs any efficiency gains within the system. Token-currency versions of QV, which do not threaten democratic legitimacy, are a more plausible option for the application of QV to political issues in which correlating unequal influence with preference intensity does not conflict with assumptions of equal moral worth.
Simulated heat waves during maize reproductive stages alter reproductive growth but have no lasting effect when applied during vegetative stages

Abstract Due to climate change, heat waves are predicted to become more frequent and severe. While long-term studies on temperature stress have been conducted on important crops such as maize (Zea mays), the immediate or long-term effects of short duration but extreme high temperature events during key developmental periods on physiological and yield parameters are unknown. Therefore, heat waves were applied to field-grown maize in east central Illinois using infrared heating technology. The heat waves warmed the canopy approximately 6 °C above ambient canopy temperatures for three consecutive days during vegetative development (Wv1) and during an early reproductive stage (silking; Wv2). Neither treatment affected aboveground vegetative biomass, and Wv1 did not significantly reduce reproductive biomass. However, Wv2 significantly reduced total reproductive biomass by 16% (p
Genome-wide association analysis in dogs implicates 99 loci as risk variants for anterior cruciate ligament rupture

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is a common condition that can be devastating and life changing, particularly in young adults. A non-contact mechanism is typical. Second ACL ruptures through rupture of the contralateral ACL or rupture of a graft repair is also common. Risk of rupture is increased in females. ACL rupture is also common in dogs. Disease prevalence exceeds 5% in several dog breeds, ~100 fold higher than human beings. We provide insight into the genetic etiology of ACL rupture by genome-wide association study (GWAS) in a high-risk breed using 98 case and 139 control Labrador Retrievers. We identified 129 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within 99 risk loci. Associated loci (P<5E-04) explained approximately half of phenotypic variance in the ACL rupture trait. Two of these loci were located in uncharacterized or non-coding regions of the genome. A chromosome 24 locus containing nine genes with diverse functions met genome-wide significance (P = 3.63E-0.6). GWAS pathways were enriched for c-type lectins, a gene set that includes aggrecan, a gene set encoding antimicrobial proteins, and a gene set encoding membrane transport proteins with a variety of physiological functions. Genotypic risk estimated for each dog based on the risk contributed by each GWAS locus showed clear separation of ACL rupture cases and controls. Power analysis of the GWAS data set estimated that ~172 loci explain the genetic contribution to ACL rupture in the Labrador Retriever. Heritability was estimated at 0.48. We conclude ACL rupture is a moderately heritable highly polygenic complex trait. Our results implicate c-type lectin pathways in ACL homeostasis.
Genetics and its potential to improve type 1 diabetes care.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The genetic basis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is being characterized through DNA sequence variation and cell type specificity. This review discusses the current understanding of the genes and variants implicated in risk of T1D and how genetic information can be used in prediction, intervention and components of clinical care. RECENT FINDINGS Fine mapping and functional studies has provided resolution of the heritable basis of T1D risk, incorporating novel insights on the dominant role of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes as well as the lesser impact of non-HLA genes. Evaluation of T1D-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), there is enrichment of genetic effects restricted to specific immune cell types (CD4 and CD8 T cells, CD19 B cells and CD34 stem cells), suggesting pathways to improved prediction. In addition, T1D-associated SNPs have been used to generate genetic risk scores (GRS) as a tool to distinguish T1D from type 2 diabetes (T2D) and to provide prediagnostic data to target those for autoimmunity screening (e.g. islet autoantibodies) as a prelude for continuous monitoring and entry into intervention trials. SUMMARY Genetic susceptibility accounts for nearly one-half of the risk for T1D. Although the T1D-associated SNPs in white populations account for nearly 90% of the genetic risk, with high sensitivity and specificity, the low prevalence of T1D makes the T1D GRS of limited utility. However, identifying those with highest genetic risk may permit early and targeted immune monitoring to diagnose T1D months prior to clinical onset.
He Says, She Says: Mothers and Children Remembering the Same Events

This study examined the consistency of memories for the same events in mothers and children, and how that varied as a function of culture and organizational components of memories. European American (EA) and Chinese immigrant (CI) mothers and their 6-year-old children (N = 127) independently recalled two emotionally salient events. In both cultures, mothers and children agreed more on factual event details and observable behaviors and less on subjective experiences and idiosyncratic interpretations. EA mothers and children told more diverse stories than did CI mothers and children. The findings shed important light on autobiographical memory as a multidimensional construct shaped by cultural beliefs and practices, and have critical implications for the evaluation of memory accuracy in research and real-life settings.
Trends in Cannabis Use Disorder among Pregnant Women in the U.S., 1993-2014.

Using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Brown et al. demonstrated that the prevalence of cannabis use increased from 2.4% to 3.9% from 2002 through 2014.1 Our study examines the prevalence of cannabis use disorder (CUD) and demographic disparities in prevalence among pregnancy-related hospitalizations during the period from 1993 to 2014, using an inpatient database. The findings are expected to inform clinicians who provide obstetric care and general internists who manage women contemplating pregnancy.
Mid-Wave Infrared Photoconductors Based on Black Phosphorus-Arsenic Alloys

Black phosphorus (b-P) and more recently black phosphorus-arsenic alloys (b-PAs) are candidate 2D materials for the detection of mid-wave and potentially long-wave infrared radiation. However, studies to date have utilized laser-based measurements to extract device performance and the responsivity of these detectors. As such, their performance under thermal radiation and spectral response has not been fully characterized. Here, we perform a systematic investigation of gated-photoconductors based on b-PAs alloys as a function of thickness over the composition range of 0-91% As. Infrared transmission and reflection measurements are performed to determine the bandgap of the various compositions. The spectrally resolved photoresponse for various compositions in this material system is investigated to confirm absorption measurements, and we find that the cutoff wavelength can be tuned from 3.9 to 4.6 μm over the studied compositional range. In addition, we investigated the temperature-dependent photoresponse and performed calibrated responsivity measurements using blackbody flood illumination. Notably, we find that the specific detectivity (D*) can be optimized by adjusting the thickness of the b-P/b-PAs layer to maximize absorption and minimize dark current. We obtain a peak D* of 6 × 1010 cm Hz1/2 W-1 and 2.4 × 1010 cm Hz1/2 W-1 for pure b-P and b-PAs (91% As), respectively, at room temperature, which is an order of magnitude higher than commercially available mid-wave infrared detectors operating at room temperature.
Women and AIDS: Countertransference Issues:

Countertransference responses among health care providers pose a great challenge for social workers who provide services to people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–related concerns. Countert...
Guiding or Exploring? Finding the Right Way to Teach Students Structural Analysis with Augmented Reality

The paper reports on the design of an augmented reality (AR) application for structural analysis education. Structural analysis is a significant course in every civil engineering program. The course focuses on load and stress distributions in buildings, bridges, and other structures. Students learn about graphical and mathematical models that embody structures as well as to utilize those models to determine the safety of a structure. An often reported obstacle is the missing link between these graphical models and a real building. Students often do not see the connection, which hinders them to utilize the models correctly. We designed an AR application that superimposes real buildings with graphical widgets of structural elements to help students establishing this link. The focus of this study is on application design, especially on the question whether students prefer an application that guides them when solving an engineering problem or whether the students prefer to explore. Students were asked to solve a problem with the application, which either instructed them step-by-step or allowed the students to use all feature on their own (exploring). The results are inconclusive, however, tend to favor the explore mode.
Economic Cost and Moral Value

In this essay I consider three common objections to the introduction of economic considerations in medical practice. The objections can be stated straightforwardly. First, the ethics of the physician-patient relationship obligates physicians primarily to do what is right and good for particular patients; it precludes consideration of economic cost or social utility. As a result, the systematic inclusion of efficiency and cost containment in medicine is ethically prohibited, because it would require physicians to participate in the rationing of health care and to make clinical decisions on a basis other than what is right and good for particular patients. Second, belief in the sanctity of life or respect for life implies that denying or withdrawing care on the basis of cost debases the fundamental sanctity of life and violates the principle of respect for life which sees life as a moral object worthy of respect. Third, human life is priceless; it has a moral status which in principle precludes assigning it any exchange value. Hence, considerations of cost insofar as they assume that human life has exchange value must always be rejected on theoretical grounds.
Infection Control in a Hernia Clinic: 24-Year Results of Aseptic and Antiseptic Measure Implementation in 4,620 “Clean Cases” Based on Up-To-Date Microbiological Research

The wound infection rate for both ventral and inguinal herniorrhaphy has remained at virtually the same unacceptable level for the last 60 years: between 3% and 4% for inguinal hernias and between 8% and 14% for ventral hernias. Thus, approximately 30,000 inguinal and 3,000 ventral repairs become infected yearly in the United States alone, and European figures may be similar [2, 3].
Blender Pump Fuel Survey: CRC Project E-95

With the increasing fuel diversity in the marketplace, the Coordinating Research Council and the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory conducted a survey of mid-level ethanol blends (MLEBs) in the market. A total of 73 fuel samples were collected from 20 retail stations. To target Class 4 volatility, the fuel samples were collected primarily in the midwestern United States in the month of February. Samples included the gasoline (E0), Flex Fuel, and every MLEB that was offered from each of the 20 stations. Photographs of each station were taken at the time of sample collection, detailing the pump labeling and configuration. The style and labeling of the pump, hose, and dispenser nozzle are all important features to prevent misfueling events. The physical location of the MLEB product relative to the gasoline product can also be important to prevent misfueling. In general, there were many differences in the style and labeling of the blender pumps surveyed in this study. All samples were analyzed for volatility and ethanol content. For the MLEB samples collected, the fuels tended to be lower in ethanol content than their indicated amount; however, the samples were all within 10 vol% of their indicated blend level.more » One of the 20 Flex Fuel samples was outside of the allowable limits for ethanol content. Four of the 20 Flex Fuel samples had volatility below the minimum requirement for Class 4.« less
Fatigue behavior of Zr52.5Al10Ti5Cu17.9Ni14.6 bulk metallic glass

Abstract In the present study, fatigue tests were conducted on a zirconium-based bulk metallic glass (BMG), BMG-11 (Zr–10Al–5Ti–17.9Cu–14.6Ni, atomic percent), in air and vacuum to elucidate the possible environmental effects. In air, the fatigue endurance limit and the fatigue ratio were found to be 907 MPa and 0.53, respectively. These values are better than many conventional high-strength crystalline alloys. Unexpectedly, the fatigue lifetimes in vacuum were found to be lower than in air. Additional testing indicated that dissociation of residual water vapor to atomic hydrogen in the vacuum via a hot-tungsten-filament ionization gauge, and subsequent hydrogen embrittlement of the BMG-11, could have been a factor causing the lower fatigue lifetimes observed in vacuum.
Prediction of Likelihood of Polycystic Kidney Disease in the Fetus When a Parent has Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

As a genetic disorder, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is present from conception. Yet, as is often the case with such disorders, the phenotypic presentation generally only mysteriously emerges years later. Occasionally the phenotypic manifestations emerge in fetal life, permitting prenatal diagnosis with fetal imaging. In addition, gene linkage techniques now permit determination of the fetal genotype without waiting years into postnatal life for telltale clinical manifestations to occur. These possibilities for prenatal diagnosis require the clinician to understand not only the methods and issues in prenatal diagnosis, but also the outcome of an affected fetus in order to adequately counsel such families.
Abstract 939: Galpha-i Signaling in Neural Crest Cells is Required for Normal Migration of Cardiac Neural Crest Cells, Cardiac Development, and Survival

G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) have long been known to play crucial roles in transducing environmental signals to the adult cardiovascular system. In recent years, the roles of G protein-mediated signaling pathways in orchestrating the interactions of different tissues during cardiovascular development have become increasingly evident. To analyze the role of G protein signaling pathways in vivo we have generated mice where the function of the heterotrimeric G alpha subunit Gai can be ablated in a cell type specific manner utilizing the Cre-loxP system. We have mated these mice to two different neural crest-specific Cre lines in order to probe the effects of loss of Gai mediated signaling on the ability of neural crest cells (NCC) to contribute to the developing outflow tract and aortic arch arteries. METHODS: We have generated mice that express the Gai-inhibiting pertussis toxin S1 subunit (PTX) from the ROSA26 locus in a Cre recombination dependent manner (ROSA-PTX mice). These were mated to mice expressing either the Wnt1 Cre or P0 Cre transgene. Wnt1Cre is active in both premigratory and migratory NCC, whereas P0Cre is active only in migratory NCC and their derivatives. RESULTS: P0Cre-ROSA-PTX mice were normal at birth and demonstrated no structural heart defects. In contrast, Wnt1Cre-ROSA-PTX mice were present in normal numbers at late gestation but died perinatally due in part to cardiac outflow tract defects. Excision reporter and in situ hybridization studies suggest this is secondary to a delay/blockage of cardiac NCC migration into the developing outflow tract. NCC migration into the pharyngeal arches was unaffected in these mice and no craniofacial, thymic, or aortic arch abnormalities were observed. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that Gai-mediated signaling is required in premigratory or early migratory cardiac NCC for normal development of the outflow tract. In contrast, endothelin A receptor knockout mice (currently the only GPCR knock out with a neural crest phenotype) are thought to exhibit defects of postmigratory NCC function. RNA profiling of NCC for GPCRs involved in this Gai-dependent pathway has revealed several potential candidate receptors, including orphan receptors. Further analysis of these receptors is underway.
Financial Analysis of Closed Femur Fractures in 3- to 6-Year-Olds Treated With Immediate Spica Casting Versus Intramedullary Fixation.

Background:Health care in America continues to place more importance on providing value-based medicine. Medicare reimbursements are increasingly being tied to this and future policy changes are expected to reinforce these trends. Recent literature has shown pediatric femur fractures in preschool-age
Exercise-induced hypoalgesia: A meta-analysis of exercise dosing for the treatment of chronic pain.

Objective Increasing evidence purports exercise as a first-line therapeutic for the treatment of nearly all forms of chronic pain. However, knowledge of efficacious dosing respective to treatment modality and pain condition is virtually absent in the literature. The purpose of this analysis was to calculate the extent to which exercise treatment shows dose-dependent effects similar to what is seen with pharmacological treatments. Methods A recently published comprehensive review of exercise and physical activity for chronic pain in adults was identified in May 2017. This report reviewed different physical activity and exercise interventions and their effectiveness in reducing pain severity and found overall modest effects of exercise in the treatment of pain. We analyzed this existing data set, focusing specifically on the dose of exercise intervention in these studies. We re-analyzed data from 75 studies looking at benefits of time of exercising per week, frequency of exercise per week, duration of intervention (in weeks), and estimated intensity of exercise. Results Analysis revealed a significant positive correlation with exercise duration and analgesic effect on neck pain. Multiple linear regression modeling of these data predicted that increasing the frequency of exercise sessions per week is most likely to have a positive effect on chronic pain patients. Discussion Modest effects were observed with one significant correlation between duration and pain effect for neck pain. Overall, these results provide insufficient evidence to conclude the presence of a strong dose effect of exercise in pain, but our modeling data provide tes predictions that can be used to design future studies to explicitly test the question of dose in specific patient populations.
Abdominal Versus Standard Placement of the Sacral Nerve Stimulator Implantable Pulse Generator.

Abstract Objectives To determine patient factors prompting anterior abdominal wall placement of the sacral nerve stimulator implantable pulse generator and investigate revision and infection rates for buttock (standard) and abdominal placement. Methods We retrospectively reviewed records of consecutive sacral nerve stimulation procedures by a single surgeon from 2012 to 2017 at a single institution. Results 75 patients underwent sacral nerve stimulation––60 with standard and 15 with abdominally placed implantable pulse generators. The mean age and body mass index of the standard group was higher than that of the abdominal group and the majority was female. A greater proportion of patients in the abdominal group had a neurological diagnosis and was wheelchair-dependent. Overall, a total of 20 patients underwent 38 revision surgeries. The indications for revision surgery were pain, loss of efficacy, or lead migration. The standard group accounted for more revisions than the abdominal group (34vs 4 cases, P = .048), with no revisions due to pain in the abdominal group. The infection rate (2% vs 13%, P = .10), average time from implantation to revision, and operative duration were not statistically different between groups. Conclusion In a subset of patients who were wheelchair-dependent or lacked gluteal fat, placement of the implantable pulse generator in the anterior abdominal wall resulted in no revisions due to pain. Operative duration and infection rates were similar between abdominal and standard placement. Abdominal placement with extended length leads could be considered as a primary or revision option in these select patients.
29.8 SHARC: Self-Healing Analog with RRAM and CNFETs

Carbon nanotube (CNT) field-effect transistors (CNFETs) are a promising emerging technology for energy-efficient electronics (Fig. 29.8.1). Despite this promise, CNTs are subject to substantial inherent imperfections; every ensemble of CNTs includes some percentage of metallic CNTs (m-CNTs). m-CNTs result in conductive shorts between CNFET source and drain, resulting in excessive leakage and degraded (potentially incorrect) circuit functionality (Fig. 29.8.1). Several techniques have been developed to remove the majority of m-CNTs (no technique today removes 100% of m-CNTs). While these techniques enabled the first digital CNFET circuits, it is still not possible to realize large-scale CNFET analog or mixed-signal CNFET circuits due to m-CNTs. As shown in Fig. 29.8.1, while a digital logic gate can still function correctly in the presence of a small fraction of m-CNTs (but with degraded resilience to noise) [1], a single m-CNT in an analog circuit can result in catastrophic failure (e.g., degrading amplifier gain resulting in functional failure of circuit blocks such as ADCs and DACs)1. This paper presents a circuit design technique, Self-Healing Analog with RRAM and CNFETs (SHARC), that leverages the programmability of non-volatile resistive RAM (RRAM) to automatically “self-heal” analog circuits in the presence of m-CNTs. Using SHARC, we experimentally demonstrate analog CNFET circuits robust to m-CNTs as well as the first mixed-signals CNFET sub-system (4-bit DAC and SAR ADC; these are the largest reported complementary (CMOS) CNFET circuit demonstrations to-date).
ReVac: a reverse vaccinology computational pipeline for prioritization of prokaryotic protein vaccine candidates

Reverse vaccinology accelerates the discovery of potential vaccine candidates (PVCs) prior to experimental validation. Current programs typically use one bacterial proteome to identify PVCs through a filtering architecture using feature prediction programs or a machine learning approach. Filtering approaches may eliminate potential antigens based on limitations in the accuracy of prediction tools used. Machine learning approaches are heavily dependent on the selection of training datasets with experimentally validated antigens (positive control) and non-protective-antigens (negative control). The use of one or few bacterial proteomes does not assess PVC conservation among strains, an important feature of vaccine antigens. We present ReVac, which implements both a panoply of feature prediction programs without filtering out proteins, and scoring of candidates based on predictions made on curated positive and negative control PVCs datasets. ReVac surveys several genomes assessing protein conservation, as well as DNA and protein repeats, which may result in variable expression of PVCs. ReVac’s orthologous clustering of conserved genes, identifies core and dispensable genome components. This is useful for determining the degree of conservation of PVCs among the population of isolates for a given pathogen. Potential vaccine candidates are then prioritized based on conservation and overall feature-based scoring. We present the application of ReVac, applied to 69 Moraxella catarrhalis and 270 non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae genomes, prioritizing 64 and 29 proteins as PVCs, respectively. ReVac’s use of a scoring scheme ranks PVCs for subsequent experimental testing. It employs a redundancy-based approach in its predictions of features using several prediction tools. The protein’s features are collated, and each protein is ranked based on the scoring scheme. Multi-genome analyses performed in ReVac allow for a comprehensive overview of PVCs from a pan-genome perspective, as an essential pre-requisite for any bacterial subunit vaccine design. ReVac prioritized PVCs of two human respiratory pathogens, identifying both novel and previously validated PVCs.
Noncompaction cardiomyopathy and multiple coronary–cameral fistulae in an octogenarian

An 85-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department with chest pain. His electrocardiogram showed a right bundle branch block as well as increased voltages suggesting left ventricular hypertrophy and t-wave inversions consistent with a strain pattern (versus ischemia). He underwent echocardiography which showed regional noncompaction and associated hypokinesis. These findings led to coronary angiography which revealed multiple coronary-cameral fistulae involving all three coronary arteries. He was initially treated for acute coronary syndrome but after his diagnostic procedures this was narrowed to a beta blocker, to reduce myocardial oxygen demand, and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor due to the cardiomyopathy. Although the fistulae may have caused the patient's chest pain, intervention was not possible due to the diffuse nature of the fistulae. He did well in follow-up without the development of heart failure symptoms or continued angina. .
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance and Pathogenicity of Vibrio cholerae

Antibiotic resistance among the microorganisms is one of the major concerns in the field of infectious biology. With the discovery of advanced antibiotics, the microorganisms are also combating back by upgrading their resistance mechanisms. The antibiotic resistance mechanism in different bacteria not only enhances the virulence but also increases the mortality rate. In recent times, the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance is increasing in the microorganisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Streptococcus spp., which can cause higher degree of health adversity, and the list will continue growing with the passing time. One such example is the Vibrio cholerae, a gram-negative bacterium belonging to family Vibrionaceae is responsible for causing the disease cholera which is characterized by profuse rice watery diarrhea. Cholera organism after reaching the upper small intestine adheres, colonizes, multiplies, and secretes cholera toxin. CT consists of five bindings (B) subunits and one active (A) subunit. The B subunits bind to the GM1 ganglioside receptors in the small-intestinal mucosa, and the A subunit enters into the cell where it activates adenylate cyclase. This leads to an up rise in cyclic AMP level, and an increase in chloride secretion and inhibition of neutral sodium chloride absorption, which in turn leads to a massive outpouring of fluid into the small intestine, thus causing severe watery diarrhea. The primary treatment for cholera is rehydration therapy. Antibiotic therapy shortens the duration of infection and adversity of the disease. However, with the increased incidence of drug resistance in V. cholerae strains, the treatment of infection became more challenging day by day. Antibiotic resistance mechanisms in V. cholerae include the expulsion of drugs via efflux pumps, SXT elements, conjugative plasmids, and sometimes random chromosomal mutations. In this chapter, we are describing different mechanism of antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity keeping V. cholerae in highlight.
Chapter 54 – Prostaglandins and Bone Metabolism

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the effects of prostaglandins (PG) and other eicosanoids on bone resorption and formation. Eicosanoids are oxygenated 20-carbon fatty acids derived from polyunsaturated eicosatrienoic, eicosatetranoic (arachidonic), and eicosapentanoic fatty acids. The production of PGs involves three major steps which include hormone-or stress-activated mobilization of AA, conversion of AA to prostaglandin endoperoxide H2(PGH2), and conversion of diffusible PGH2 by tissue-specific isomerases and reductases to PGE2, PGD2, PGF2α, prostacyclin (PGI2), and thromboxane. The committed step in the conversion of AA to PGs is catalyzed by a bifunctional enzyme, which converts free AA to PGG2 in a cyclooxgenase reaction followed by reduction of PGG2 to PGH2 in a peroxidase reaction. This enzyme, formally named prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase or prostaglandin G/H synthase (PGHS), is popularly called cyclooxgygenase (COX) in reference to its first function. The individual PG synthases are differentially distributed in tissues and are believed to influence PG production largely by determining the predominant type of prostanoid synthesized in a particular tissue. PGE1 and PGE2 stimulate osteoclast formation in marrow cultures. The PG enhancement of stimulated osteoclast formation in marrow culture may reflect the increased formation of new osteoclastic precursors, while stimulated resorption in organ culture may be more dependent on activation of a pool of available osteoclastic precursors. When added to isolated osteoclasts in vitro, PGE2 transiently inhibits bone resorption. PGs can have both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on bone formation. PGs can increase both periosteal and endosteal bone formation in the rat and produce substantial increases in bone mass, similar to the effects of PTH. At high concentrations, PGs can inhibit collagen synthesis in cell and organ culture. This inhibitory effect occurs largely via transcriptional inhibition of collagen and are mediated by the FP receptor rather than an EP receptor.
Abstract WP11: Timing of Blood Pressure Decreases During Mechanical Thrombectomy for Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Decreases in blood pressure (BP) during endovascular therapy (EVT) are associated with infarct progression and poor outcome. The largest BP reductions are thought to occur during indu...
Epidemiological concepts in environmental epigenetics

Abstract Epidemiology is the study of distributions and determinants of human disease within populations. Environmental epigenetics studies aim to identify and characterize intermediate biomarkers between exposures and outcomes that can provide insights into delineating exposures, defining mechanisms of disease development, or highlighting disease risk. Such studies that focus on environmental health issues have exploded over the past two decades and provide opportunities to consider a full spectrum of potential biomarkers as they relate to exposures and diseases. Thus, proper understanding of epidemiologic principles within the context of epigenetic studies is critical to identifying useful biomarkers and drawing appropriate inferences. In this chapter, we discuss some common frameworks through which epigenetic epidemiology is conducted, highlight key considerations in the design of epigenetic epidemiology studies, and introduce readers to approaches that can be used to strengthen causal inferences.
Social justice-oriented activity models for young learner’s biliteracy development in a Korean language classroom

This article presents seven social justice-oriented model activities for 1st and 2nd grade Korean-English bilingual students. Considering the age and language ability of the target students, two pi...
“Secrecy or Silence with Her Finger on Her Mouth”: Jeremy Bentham’s Other Model of Visibility and Power:

To challenge the Foucauldian legacy of Jeremy Bentham’s panopticon prison, scholars often highlight Bentham’s later writings on the democratic power of public opinion. In doing so, they reaffirm Be...
Storybooks About Healthy Beverage Consumption: Effects in an Online Randomized Experiment With Parents

Introduction Parents spend substantial time reading to their children, making storybooks a promising but understudied avenue for motivating parents to serve their children healthier beverages. This study examines parents’ reactions to messages promoting healthy beverage consumption embedded in a children's storybook. Methods In 2020, a total of 2,164 demographically diverse parents of children aged 6 months to 5 years participated in an online survey. Participants were randomized to view control messages (school readiness) or 1 of 3 beverage message topics (sugary drink discouragement, water encouragement, or combined discouragement and encouragement) presented as pages from the storybook Potter the Otter. Survey items assessed parents’ reactions to the messages and their perceptions, beliefs, and intentions regarding sugary drinks and water. Data were analyzed in 2021. Results Compared with control messages, exposure to the beverage messages led to higher discouragement from serving children sugary drinks and higher encouragement to serve children more water (p Conclusions Embedding beverage messages in storybooks is a promising, scalable strategy for motivating parents from diverse backgrounds to serve children more water and fewer sugary drinks.
Organizational and cultural factors that promote creative best practices in the public rehabilitation program: Findings from a four-state multiple case study

The state-federal vocational rehabilitation system is tasked to demonstrate accountability for employment outcomes of persons with disabilities. State VR agencies have sought to evaluate existing practices, and in areas that existing practices leave room for improvement, create the conditions for innovation to occur. The purpose of this article is to identify promising organizational and cultural factors that appear to promote best practices in the public vocational rehabilitation program. A multi-stage study utilizing the Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) was conducted involving four high performing state VR agencies to discover emerging and promising organizational practices leading to improvements in employment outcomes of people with disabilities. The comprehensive examination revealed specific organizational practices, culture and structural elements that encourage and support the development of innovative, effective service delivery practices. Given the complexity of service provision and the increasing demand for successful outcomes, VR agencies must develop organizational cultures that facilitate transformational learning by employing evidence-based practices that lead to successful outcomes for agency consumers.
The effects of fluorocompounds on oxidative phosphorylation: II—effects on the breakdown of nucleotides by liver mitochondria

Abstract The fluorocompounds generally increased the dephosphorylation of adenine and pyridine nucleotides. A definite quantitative and qualitative difference, however, existed with respect to the pattern of breakdown produced by the fluorocompounds from those resulting through the action of DNP. Enzyme assays demonstrated an enhancement of adenine nucleotide dephosphorylase activity by fluorocitrate and fluoropyruvate while DPN-ase was not affected. Examination of the inorganic phosphate released showed a marked stimulation of AMP dephosphorylation by the fluorocompounds at 10 −5 M concentration, while DNP exerted its effect mainly on the dephosphorylation of ATP. The “pre-aged” mitochondria displayed a reduced response to fluorocitrate and DNP. An interpretation of the analytical results is presented.