cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assumption weighting for incorporating heterogeneity into meta-analysis of genomic data

Motivation: There is now a large literature on statistical methods for the meta-analysis of genomic data from multiple studies. However, a crucial assumption for performing many of these analyses is that the data exhibit small between-study variation or that this heterogeneity can be sufficiently modelled probabilistically. Results: In this article, we propose ‘assumption weighting’, which exploits a weighted hypothesis testing framework proposed by Genovese et al. to incorporate tests of between-study variation into the meta-analysis context. This methodology is fast and computationally simple to implement. Several weighting schemes are considered and compared using simulation studies. In addition, we illustrate application of the proposed methodology using data from several high-profile stem cell gene expression datasets. Availability: http://works.bepress.com/debashis_ghosh/50/ Contact: ghoshd@psu.edu
PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION FOLLOWING RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY

The description of the anatomic radical retropubic prostatectomy and the introduction of nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy (NSRRP) in 1983 represented a major advance in the surgical treatment of prostate cancer. Nonetheless, the results with respect to postoperative potency preservation vary widely between surgeons and institutions. The post–radical retropubic prostatectomy population with erectile dysfunction is unique. Unlike in most patients who have erectile dysfunction in whom there is a gradual reduction in erectile function over many years, the loss of function in the post–radical retropubic prostatectomy patient is initially sudden and total. All patients experience a change in their sexual function ranging from a decrease in orgasmic intensity to loss of ejaculation to erectile dysfunction to a loss of urine at orgasm. 20,30 Less than 10% of previously potent patients consider their long-term postoperative sexual function as good as their preoperative status. Surgeons are left with the difficult task of explaining to patients why a procedure designed to spare their potency nerves does not translate into a potency-preserving surgery. Patients who preoperatively primarily were concerned with survival, cancer cure, and incontinence are left with the prospect of never again achieving an adequate erection. Institutions with single surgeons and a large case load report potency rates in excess of 65%, whereas other institutions report success rates of less than 20%. 20,24,46,56 The reasons for this discrepancy are multiple. This article reviews current knowledge on the etiology, treatment, and possible prevention of erectile dysfunction and promising future directions.
Structural and Functional Coordination of DNA and Histone Methylation

One of the most fundamental questions in the control of gene expression in mammals is how epigenetic methylation patterns of DNA and histones are established, erased, and recognized. This central process in controlling gene expression includes coordinated covalent modifications of DNA and its associated histones. This article focuses on structural aspects of enzymatic activities of histone (arginine and lysine) methylation and demethylation and functional links between the methylation status of the DNA and histones. An interconnected network of methyltransferases, demethylases, and accessory proteins is responsible for changing or maintaining the modification status of specific regions of chromatin.
Direct evidence for the interaction of neurokinin A with the tachykinin NK1 receptor in tissue

Abstract Neurokinin A (NKA) is a tachykinin peptide that binds with high affinity to the tachykinin NK 2 receptor. Recent homologous binding studies, however, have shown that neurokinin A is also a high-affinity ligand for the tachykinin NK 1 receptor. In this report, we demonstrate that a photoreactive neurokinin A analogue specifically labels the NK 1 receptor in rat submandibular gland membranes and show via bioassay that neurokinin A is a potent stimulator of salivary secretion. Through the use of specific non-peptide antagonists in both photolabeling and functional assays, we unequivocally demonstrate that neurokinin A can specifically interact with the NK 1 receptor in vivo and elicit NK 1 receptor-mediated physiological responses.
Control of skin blood flow by whole body and local skin cooling in exercising humans

We examined the independent roles of whole body skin temperature (Tsk) and tissue temperature (local temperature, Tloc) in the control of skin blood flow (SBF) during cooling and the roles of the vasoconstrictor (VC) and active vasodilator (AVD) systems in mediating these effects. SBF was monitored by laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) at untreated sites and sites with local VC blockade by pretreatment with bretylium (BT). Seven subjects underwent four sessions of moderate bicycle exercise (20-30 min duration) at neutral Tsk and Tloc (34 degrees C), neutral Tsk and cool Tloc (27 degrees C), low Tsk (28 degrees C) and neutral Tloc, and low Tsk and Tloc. Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC; LDF/mean arterial pressure) was expressed relative to the maximum. Cool Tsk increased the threshold level of internal temperature at which CVC began to rise equally at BT-treated and untreated sites (P < 0.05). The rate of increase in CVC relative to internal temperature was reduced by local cooling. BT pretreatment partially reversed this effect (P < 0.05). Thus a cool environment results in reflex inhibition of the onset of AVD activity by cool Tsk and a reduced rate of increase in CVC due, in part, to norepinephrine release stimulated by cool Tloc.
The experimental production of ectopic cartilage and bone in the muscles of rabbits.

1. Following intramuscular injection into rabbits of alcohol alone, twenty-three of thirty-seven triceps (62 per cent.) and twelve of forty quadriceps (30 per cent.) contained cartilage or bone, alone or in combination. 2. Two of twenty-seven triceps and seven of twenty-nine quadriceps contained cartilage or bone, or both, following injection of calcium chloride. 3. There is a greater tendency for pre-cartilage, cartilage, and bone to form near the origin or the insertions of muscles than in the mid-portions. 4. Younger animals (one month old) formed larger amounts of more mature cartilage and bone than older rabbits, following injection of alcohol alone or of calcium chloride. 5. There was no appreciable difference in the frequency of bone and cartilage on the basis of sex. 6. Diethylstilbestrol, in the dosages used, did not influence the course of the intramuscular reactions. 7. The incidence and extent of intramuscular cartilage and bone was increased by exercising the animals. 8. Intramuscular cartilage and bone formation was not observed if suppuration occurred as a result of the injection of the irritant solutions.
Comment: Network disruption as a common framework for factors contributing to dementia.

There is mounting evidence that large-scale functional brain networks are fundamental to the pathophysiology of dementing illnesses.1 Functional networks require intact white matter, and small vessel disease (SVD) may disrupt this infrastructure. Tuladhar et al.2 conducted an analysis of imaging biomarkers as predictors of all-cause dementia in a prospective hospital-based cohort of patients with presumed evidence of SVD. The imaging biomarkers included white matter network–based graph theoretical metrics (e.g., global network efficiency), white matter volume, gray matter volume, hippocampal volume, manually segmented white matter hyperintensity volume, and presence/absence of lacunes and microbleeds.
Antilung antibodies in asthma.

Twenty-four asthmatic patients were evaluated for the presence of circulating cytotoxic lung antibodies. These patients were further classified as either extrinsic or intrinsic asthmatics on the basis of skin testing, age of onset, and atopic history. Of the 12 patients considered to have extrinsic asthma, 10 had positive titers, one borderline, and one negative for cytotoxic lung antibodies. In the group of 12 patients classified as intrinsic asthmatics, eight had negative titers, two border-line, and two positive for cytotoxic lung antibodies. Adsorption studies indicated that these antibodies were organ-specific. Twenty normal non-smoking controls were also tested, all of whom were negative. Five patients with allergic rhinitis, positive intradermal skin tests, and no history of asthma were found to be negative for cytotoxic lung antibodies.
Interfacial Properties and Design of Functional Energy Materials

ConspectusThe vital importance of energy to society continues to demand a relentless pursuit of energy responsive materials that can bridge fundamental chemical structures at the molecular level and achieve improved functionality and performance. This demand can potentially be realized by harnessing the power of self-assembly, a spontaneous process where molecules or much larger entities form ordered aggregates as a consequence of predominately noncovalent (weak) interactions. Self-assembly is the key to bottom-up design of molecular devices, because the nearly atomic-level control is very difficult to realize in a top-down, for example, lithographic, approach. However, while function in simple systems such as single crystals can often be evaluated a priori, predicting the function of the great variety of self-assembled molecular architectures is complicated by the lack of understanding and control over nanoscale interactions, mesoscale architectures, and macroscale order. To establish a foundation toward...
Precipitinogens of rubella virus-infected cells.

SummaryTwo specific precipitating antigens, theta and iota, have been detected by immunodiffusion of rubella virus reactants. They are subviral in size, and neither appears to be an active virus hemagglutinin. In patients with rubella, anti-θ precipitin rises promptly, along with antihemagglutinin, and can be detected for years, whereas anti-θ is made more slowly and declines sooner. The serum precipitins may reliably reflect the state of immunity.
Exploring Data to Learn about the Nature of Science

Abstract Biology is often taught as disconnected facts, even though the subject itself provides a holistic approach to the study of life, particularly through the overarching frame of evolution. The Framework for K—12 Science Education and Next Generation Science Standards promote a coherent approach to science that uses a developmental approach to learning. This is consistent with the use of data, reflective strategies, and a research inquiry approach that encourages students to confront their own thinking and reasoning, and thus encourages the engagement of argumentation in the classroom. This article presents narratives and classroom scenarios that might provide insights into learning strategies, with implications for a more cohesive approach to learning both biology concepts and the practices of science.
“This guy says I should talk like that all the time”: Challenging intersecting ideologies of language and gender in an American Stuttering English comedienne's stand-up routine

American Stuttering English (ASE) speakers (or ‘persons who stutter’ in pathological perspectives) have historically had tense relationships with comedic representations of their speech. Mainstream representations pathologize and ridicule stuttering, rather than appreciate it as a legitimate language variety. These depictions also increase non-ASE speakers' ‘possessive investment’ (Lipsitz 1995) in Standard American Fluent English as the dominant language variety. Recently, some ASE speakers have reinterpreted ASE and comedic portrayals of their speech using stand-up comedy. This article analyzes the comedic work of Rona B, an ASE comedienne. Using data on her YouTube channel, I argue that Rona B draws on her intersectional experiences as a female ASE speaker to construct a voice that critiques both the political agendas of anti-linguistic discrimination, which downplays gender, and of antisexism, which minimizes sociolinguistic differences. This study expands on contemporary calls in sociolinguistics that position intracategorical intersectionality as key for analyzing performances on language variation. (Gender, variation, American Stuttering English, performance, stand-up comedy, language ideologies)*
Research on Xianning Power Distribution Communication Network Construction Scheme

Distribution automation is an important part of power system,the effective measures to improve power supply reliability and power quality,but also is the inevitable trend of development of modern power system. Based on the work of automation construction of Xianning area distribution,from the perspective of the distribution communication network construction,combined with the actual situation of Xianning electric power backbone communication network,refer to the guidance of distribution automation construction,this paper presents the Xianning electric power communication network planning and construction scheme,which can provide reference for the pending construction of domestic distribution automation.
Direct measurement of T cell receptor affinity and sequence from naïve antiviral T cells

There is a well-established link between T cell receptor (TCR) affinity and T cell function, which can have important implications for T cell–based therapies. Zhang et al. have now developed a method to concurrently sequence TCRs and measure TCR affinity of individual T cells from humans. Using this technique, they show that older individuals may be less able to respond to viral infections or vaccines due to a lack of high-affinity T cells. This method could help screen T cells for cancer immunotherapy or vaccine responses.
Para una genealogía de la narrativa peruana reciente (escribir después del terror)

Este ensayo propone discutir la relacion literatura politica tomando como punto de partida el caso de la narrativa peruana reciente, en particular la novela Los anos inutiles de Jorge Eduardo Benavides y El mundo de Maquiavelo de Alan Garcia. Se sugiere la posibilidad de establecer una genealogia de esta narrativa, comenzando con la transformacion social que implica la emergencia del terrorismo de Sendero Luminoso y la violencia proveniente desde el Estado.
High-level expression of divergent endodermal lineage markers in gonadal and extra-gonadal yolk sac tumors

Yolk sac tumors occur at both gonadal and extra-gonadal sites. A recent case of ovarian endometrioid-pattern yolk sac tumor with strong diffuse expression of TTF-1 illustrated the potential for misdiagnosis due to divergent expression of endodermal lineage markers. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of four divergent endodermal lineage markers, TTF-1, CDX2, Hep Par 1, and Napsin A, in gonadal and extra-gonadal yolk sac tumors of differing age, sex, and location (excluding foci of overt hepatoid differentiation). We identified 26 cases (5 ovarian, 15 testicular, and 6 extra-gonadal) containing yolk sac tumor as identified by typical histology and confirmed by positive immunohistochemical staining for alpha-fetoprotein and glypican-3. Mixed or ambiguous foci were confirmed by immunohistochemistry (SALL4 positive and Oct-4 negative). The relative proportion of three histologic patterns: reticular/cystic, solid/myxoid, and glandular was estimated. Percent positivity for the four divergent endodermal lineage markers was compared within yolk sac tumor areas according to site, age group, and histologic pattern. High-level (>25%) staining for one or more divergent endodermal lineage markers was seen in eleven cases: Hep Par 1 in seven cases, all post-pubertal, TTF-1 in four cases, two ovarian and two extra-gonadal, and CDX2 in three cases, with no age or site predilection. No case highly expressed all three divergent endodermal lineage markers, but four co-expressed high levels of two markers: two ovarian yolk sac tumors with TTF-1 and Hep Par 1, one testicular yolk sac tumor with CDX2 and Hep Par 1, and one extra-gonadal yolk sac tumors with TTF-1 and CDX2. While no absolute correlation of high-level divergent endodermal lineage marker expression with histologic subtype was observed, TTF-1 and CDX2 expression was predominantly seen in reticular/cystic and glandular areas while Hep Par 1 was most frequent in myxoid/solid and glandular areas.
A reliability evaluation method for line switching operations in power systems

Line switching operation in power systems is an important part of network topology and flow control, but most papers about line switching operations choose their objective as the economic benefit or stability improvement and only a few papers focus on the overall reliability evaluation of the line switching operations. In this paper, a reliability evaluation method is proposed with two main features. The first feature is line removal test which provides a comprehensive understanding of line switching operations; the second feature, variance test, involves variance of analysis results and provides additional information compared with risk assessment. In general, this reliability evaluation method serves as an important contribution in reliability evaluation of line switching operations and sheds light on the previously overlooked areas of line switching operations evaluation.
Female student leaders: An examination of transformational leadership, athletics, and self-esteem

Abstract The present investigation examined differences between NCAA Division I female athletes and non-athletes concerning self-esteem and transformational leadership traits. Participants were 635 women who completed an online survey including the Student Leadership Practices Inventory and Rosenberg's Self Esteem Scale. A logistic regression analysis predicted athlete status from self-esteem and the leadership scales Model the Way and Enable Others to Act . Latent profile analysis revealed three distinct leadership and self-esteem profiles; differences in the profiles emerged among athlete and non-athlete groups. Female athletes are more likely than non-athletes to be categorized into profiles reporting higher levels of self-esteem and leadership characteristics. This paper adds to the growing literature on female athletes who are leaders.
Antimony(V) catalyzed acetalisation of aldehydes: an efficient, solvent-free, and recyclable process

A highly selective, solvent-free process for the acetalisation of aldehydes was achieved by the use of a readily accessible antimony(V) catalyst which we previously prepared in our lab as a tetraarylstibonium triflate salt ([1][OTf]). High yields of the acetals were achieved in the presence of stoichimetric amounts of either triethoxymethane or triethoxysilane. It was found that triethoxymethane reactions required longer time to reach completion when compared to triethoxysilane reactions which were completed upon mixing of the reagents. The products can be easily separated from the catalyst by distillation which enabled further use of [1][OTf] in additional calytic reactions (up to 6 cycles). Moreover, [1]+ also catalyzed the deprotection of the acetals into their corresponding aldehydes using only water as a solvent.
Pilocarpine toxicity in retinal ganglion cells.

PURPOSE. Muscarinic agents reduce intraocular pressure by enhancing aqueous outflow, probably by stimulating ciliary muscle contraction. However, pilocarpine is a well-characterized neurotoxin and is widely used to generate animal seizure models. It was therefore investigated whether pilocarpine was also toxic to retinal ganglion cells. METHODS. Dissociated whole retinal preparations were prepared from postnatal day 16 to 19 rats. Retinal ganglion cells had been previously back-labeled with a fluorescent tracer. Retinal cells were incubated with pilocarpine, lithium, and inositol derivatives, and viability of the retrogradely labeled retinal ganglion cells was assayed after 24 hours. RESULTS. Pilocarpine was toxic to retinal ganglion cells in a dose-dependent fashion. This toxicity was potentiated by lithium and blocked by epi- and myo-inositol. CONCLUSIONS. Pilocarpine is toxic to retinal ganglion cells in a mixed culture assay. This toxicity appears to depend on the inositol pathway and is similar to its mode of action in other neurons. However, 0.4 mM pilocarpine (the lowest concentration that did not affect ganglion cell survival) is roughly 1000-fold higher than the vitreal concentration and 20-fold higher than the scleral concentration that can be obtained with topical administration of 2% pilocarpine in the rabbit eye.
PROSEDUR LELANG HAK TANGGUNGAN DI KOPERASI SIMPAN PINJAM INTIDANA CABANG JAKARTA PUSAT

The Union is one of the non banking financial institution that is intended for small – medium enterprises. When the lending on, union always obliges the members as a debitor to provide such a guarantee in the form of Mortgage. With the guarantee, Union as a creditor can get top priority (prefernce) for the re-payment of loan when the debtor get breach of contract. This research will be studied about auction procedure of mortgage by Credit Union Intidana Branch Office In Central Jakarta and the fulfillment of the rights of the parties. This descriptive analytical research use empirical juridical approach and data obtained through literary research and field research. Further more, the data were analyzed qualitatively. The auction process to the mortgage object in Credit Union Intidana is done through the state auction agency under Directorate General of Receivables and state auction supervision. To be able to conduct auction in the Directorate General of Receivables and state auction, Credit Union Intidana aplly for auction to through the office of Country Financial Service and Auction, Then from the results of the auction, the fullfilment of the rights of the parties carried out of the auction results larger than obligation debtors or owner of the security rights object. In case defeciency, then lack of it will be made write off to debtors liabilty by the union. Keywords : Auction, Mortgage
Mixed methodology in family business research: Past accomplishments and perspectives for the future

Abstract Family business researchers face several challenges due to the complex nature of the field theoretically and empirically. Mixed methods are well suited to answer why questions and often provide insight into the mechanisms and boundaries of complex phenomena. We find that utilizing mixed-methodological approaches therefore offers a valuable way for the field to manage the complexity of the family business domain while generating generalizable theoretical insights. We assess the current state of mixed methods in family business research and provide guidelines for conducting rigorous research. Our review comprises 32 publications on family firms that implemented qualitative and quantitative data from 2000 to 2015. Finally we offer a checklist specific to the family business field for authors to use when conducting mixed methods studies.
A lack-of-fit test for generalized linear models via single-index techniques

A generalized partially linear single-index model (GPLSIM) is proposed in which the unknown smooth function of single index is approximated by a spline function that can be expressed as a linear combination of B-spline basis functions. The regression coefficients and the unknown smooth function are estimated simultaneously via a modified Fisher-scoring method. It can be shown that the estimators of regression parameters are asymptotically normally distributed. The asymptotic covariance matrix of the estimators can be estimated directly and consistently by using the least-squares method. As an application, the proposed GPLSIM can be employed to assess the lack of fit of a postulated generalized linear model (GLM) based on the comparison of the goodness of fit of the GPLSIM and postulated GLM to construct a likelihood ratio test. An extensive simulation study is conducted to examine the finite-sample performance of the likelihood ratio test. The practicality of the proposed methodology is illustrated with a real-life data set from a study of nesting horseshoe crabs.
Do private donations depress electoral turnout?: An empirical investigation of voter participation

This paper assesses the hypothesis that the increasing reliance of political parties and candidates on certain types of private donations could be one of the key factors behind declining voter turnout, even in established and consolidated democratic regimes. To disentangle this relationship, it highlights seven institutional arrangements that are likely to limit the extent to which private actors can make political contributions. The empirical analysis demonstrates that, while certain regulations indeed lead to higher voter participation, the relationship is nuanced. For example, bans to corporate donations improve turnout only when they prevent companies with government ties from donating money. In addition, what seems to bolster voter participation greatly is limiting the amount a private donor can contribute, as well as requiring parties and candidates to reveal the identity of their donors. The analysis also demonstrates that voter confidence in the government is one plausible causal mechanism linking finance regulations and turnout. Depending on the particular regulation adopted, turnout can be boosted between 3.4 and 8.6 percent.
Diagnostic Digital Angiography: The Image Revolution Continues

Looking at the first dramatic successes of computed tomography, many optimists predicted wonders for digital angiography. Soon, they hoped, we could visualize the coronary arteries at work—without risk—by injecting contrast medium into a peripheral vein. Likewise, they said, we can quickly get an unobstructed view of cerebral blood flow.
The Marine Cryosphere

Abstract The polar oceans interact with both sea ice, formed in situ at the ocean surface, and land ice, flowing under gravity from the land onto the ocean surface. This ice–ocean interaction has profound consequences for the ocean and climate in a number of ways: a change in ocean surface albedo and surface energy balance where there is ice cover compared with open ocean, a change in global sea level when land ice flows into the ocean, and a transformation of water masses through melting or freezing of ice which subsequently influences the global conveyor belt. Another type of ice–ocean interaction, less well understood, is that between marine permafrost at the seafloor and the overlying ocean waters. Collectively, we refer to sea ice, land ice, and marine permafrost as the marine cryosphere. In this chapter, we review current understanding of the interaction of the marine cryosphere with the global ocean and discuss emerging technologies to improve observations and numerical modeling of these interactions. Projections for the state of the marine cryosphere into the current century and beyond are reviewed.
Journal Sharing on Group Cohesion and Goal Attainment in Experiential Growth Groups

This study investigated the effect of journal sharing in counselor education experiential growth groups. Outcome measures included change in group cohesion over time and rate of group cohesion chan...
Progress in Crisis, Genetic Engineering and Philosophy of Technology

This chapter sets the stage for the rest of the book by characterizing central themes and ideas: the narrative of progress, technological optimism, technological pessimism, and precautionary ethics. The chapter begins by developing the idea that the polarized debate over genetic engineering in agriculture is at least in part the result of a narrative crisis created by a clash between technological optimism and technological pessimism. The ultimate goal of the book is to investigate possibilities for moving beyond the current polarized debate over genetic engineering. This chapter aims to start the process of identifying obstacles to, and possibilities for moving beyond the current narrative crisis and to develop a narrative of sustainabilty. To that end, the chapter investigates and identifies hindrances to research and development in agricultural biotechnology from making greater contributions to creating more just and sustainable societies. I identify three obstacles: (1) costly and time-consuming precautionary regulations, (2) market failures in the private sector and (3) limited public sector funding for social-goods research. Chapter 2 will explore ideas for moving beyond these three obstacles.
Obesity Does Not Influence Management of Advanced Breast Cancer in the Elderly.

Abstract Background Obesity is becoming increasingly common in the elderly population, and it adds to the complexity of treatment decisions in this population. We aimed to investigate whether body mass index (BMI) affects care in this subset of patients. Patients and Methods We performed a retrospective chart review on 118 patients over the age of 70 years diagnosed with breast cancer and pathologically proven axillary disease over an 8-year period at an urban academic hospital and compared BMI to treatment received, clinical stage, and hormone receptor status. Results Performance of radiation therapy, axillary surgery, and chemotherapy was compared in the elderly population over lower and higher BMI, and no significant difference was detected. Although there was a trend for increasing clinical stage to be associated with a lower BMI, this was not statistically significant (P = .06). Conclusion Obesity does not appear to influence treatment decisions in patients over the age of 70 years. Breast cancer providers should turn to other patient and clinical factors when deciding treatment plans in this patient population. Further investigation is needed to examine how obesity influences tumor biology, diagnosis, and treatment decisions.
Framework for design optimization using deep reinforcement learning

We propose a framework for design optimization using deep reinforcement learning and study its capabilities. Reinforcement learning is highly generalizable to unseen system configurations for similar optimization problems. In industrial fields, product requirements vary depending on specifications and the requirements are often similar but slightly different from each other. We utilize reinforcement learning to optimize products to meet those slightly different requirements. In the proposed framework, an agent is trained in advance and used to find the optimal solution given a set of requirements. We apply the proposed framework to optimize the airfoil angle of attack and demonstrate its generalization capabilities.
An Affordable, Customizable, and Highly Sensitive Metasurface-based Refractive Index Sensor

We demonstrate a compact, metasurface-based sensor. Techno-economic analysis predicts a ~$2,400 device capable of detecting changes in the refractive index of a liquid of ~2*10−8; prototype demonstrates 820% change in transmittance per refractive index unit. © 2019 The Author(s)
Enzyme Polymorphisms Affecting Xenobiotic Toxicity

Individual differences resulting from enzyme polymorphisms in gene structure and tissue-specific expression can have a significant impact to the susceptibility of individuals to xenobiotic toxicity. Genetic polymorphisms of metabolic enzymes play a crucial role in individual variations in response to foreign compound-mediated effects. Genetic polymorphisms and enzyme inducibility play important roles in the susceptibility of individuals to xenobiotic toxicities. Differential susceptibility affects potentially xenobiotic toxicity. Enzyme polymorphisms are presenct in metabolic enzymes such as cytochrome P450, alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, glutathione S-transferase, and UDP-glucuronosyl transferase.
Effect of inducing HR deficiency using AVB500, a receptor tyrosine kinase AXL inhibitor, on response to olaparib in uterine serous cancer.

e18108Background: Evidence suggests DNA repair is a therapeutic target in endometrial cancer (EC). Given this, we determined whether combination therapy with AVB500, an AXL inhibitor, could improve...
Impact of Left Ventricular Assist Device on Pulmonary Functions and Pulmonary Hemodynamics: A Meta-analysis

Background Given current evidence, the effect of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation on pulmonary function tests (PFT) remains controversial. Methods Electronic databases were queried to identify relevant articles. The summary effect size was estimated as a difference of overall means and standard deviation (SD) on a random-effects model. Results A total of four studies comprising 219 patients were included. The overall mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusion lung capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) after LVAD implantation were significantly lower by 0.23L (95% (confidence interval) CI 0.11-0.34, p=00002), 0.18L (95% CI 0.03-0.34, p=0.02), and 3.16 mmol/min (95% CI 2.17-4.14, p Conclusion LVAD implantation might be associated with a significant reduction of the spirometric measures, including FEV1, FVC, and DLCO, and an overall improvement of pulmonary hemodynamics.
Ridge regression estimated linear probability model predictions of O -glycosylation in proteins with structural and sequence data

To-date, no claim regarding finding a consensus sequon for O-glycosylation has been made. Thus, predicting the likelihood of O-glycosylation with sequence and structural information using classical regression analysis is quite difficult. In particular, if a binary response is used to distinguish between O-glycosylated and non-O-glycosylated sequences, an appropriate set of non-O-glycosylatable sequences is hard to find. Three sequences from similar post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins occurring at, or very near, the S/T-site are analyzed: N-glycosylation, O-mucin type (O-GalNAc) glycosylation, and phosphorylation. Results found include: 1) The consensus composite sequon for O-glycosylation is: ~(W–S/T–W), where “~” denotes the “not” operator. 2) The consensus sequon for phosphorylation is ~(W–S/T/Y/H–W); although W–S/T/Y/H–W is not an absolute inhibitor of phosphorylation. 3) For linear probability model (LPM) estimation, N-glycosylated sequences are good approximations to non-O-glycosylatable sequences; although N – ~P – S/T is not an absolute inhibitor of O-glycosylation. 4) The selective positioning of an amino acid along the sequence, differentiates the PTMs of proteins. 5) Some N-glycosylated sequences are also phosphorylated at the S/T-site in the N – ~P – S/T sequon. 6) ASA values for N-glycosylated sequences are stochastically larger than those for O-GlcNAc glycosylated sequences. 7) Structural attributes (beta turn II, II´, helix, beta bridges, beta hairpin, and the phi angle) are significant LPM predictors of O-GlcNAc glycosylation. The LPM with sequence and structural data as explanatory variables yields a Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) statistic of 99%. 8) With only sequence data, the KS statistic erodes to 80%, and 21% of out-of-sample O-GlcNAc glycosylated sequences are mispredicted as not being glycosylated. The 95% confidence interval around this mispredictions rate is 16% to 26%. The data indicates the existence of a consensus sequon for O-glycosylation; and underscores the germaneness of structural information for predicting the likelihood of O-glycosylation.
Services and payer mix of Black-serving hospitals and related severe maternal morbidity.

Background Black-serving hospitals are associated with increased maternal risk. However, prior administrative data research on maternal disparities has generally included limited hospital factors. More detailed evaluation of hospital factors related to obstetric outcomes may be important in understanding disparities. Objective To examine detailed characteristics of Black-serving hospitals and how these characteristics are associated with risk for severe maternal morbidity (SMM). Methods This serial cross-sectional study linked the 2010-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample and the 2013 American Hospital Association Annual Survey Databases. Delivery hospitalizations occurring to women 15-54 years of age were identified. The proportions of non-Hispanic Black patients within a hospital was categorized into quartiles, and hospital factors such as specialized medical, surgical and safety-net services as well as payer mix were compared across these quartiles. A series of models was performed evaluating risk for SMM with Black-serving hospital quartile as the primary exposure. Log linear regression models with a Poisson distribution (and robust variance) were performed with unadjusted and adjusted risk ratios (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as measures of effect. Results Overall 965,202 deliveries from 430 hospitals met inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. By quartile, non-Hispanic Black patients accounted for 1.3%, 5.4%, 13.4%, and 33.8% of patients. Many services were significantly less common in the lowest compared to the highest Black-serving hospital quartile including cardiac intensive care (48.9% versus 74.5%), neonatal intensive care (28.9% versus 64.9%), pediatric intensive care (20.0% versus 45.7%), pediatric cardiology (29.6% versus 44.7%), and HIV/AIDS services (36.3% versus 71.3%) (p≤0.01 for all). Indigent care clinics, crisis prevention, and enabling services (p≤0.01 for all) were more common at Black-serving hospitals as was Medicaid payer. Following adjustments for detailed hospital factors, the lowest Black serving hospital quartile carried the lowest risk for SMM. However, SMM risks were similar across the 2nd (aRR 1.31, 95% CI 1.08, 1.59), 3rd (aRR 1.27, 95% 1.05, 1.55), and 4th (aRR 1.29, 95% CI 1.07, 1.55) quartiles. Conclusion Black-serving hospitals were more likely to provide a range of specialized medical, surgical, and safety-net services and to have a higher Medicaid burden. Payer mix and unmeasured confounding may account for some of the maternal risk associated with Black-serving hospitals.
Choice Matters: Responses to Political Information Vary in Randomized vs. Selective Exposure Contexts

Three studies (study 1, 2a and 2b) were conducted to examine the effects of exposure type (randomized, selective) to negative and positive political information. Study 1 focused on a randomized exp...
Medical factors relating to calf health as influenced by the environment

For many years infectious diseases and nutrition have held the spotlight in discussions of animal health. It is becoming increasingly apparent, however, that epidemiological studies now often point to failures in building design as contributing factors when disease problems arise. In order to illustrate the sound contributions of Professor Donald W. Bates three herd situations will be presented. This discussion will include only those portions of the total preventive veterinary medical program which relate directly to ventilation and its various ramifications. Epidemiology will be discussed briefly where applicable to emphasize to emphasize disease patterns within these units.
Radon Tracing of Submarine Groundwater Discharge in Coastal Environments

This chapter discusses the radon tracing of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in coastal environments. Direct discharge of groundwater into the coastal zone may be an important material flux pathway from land to sea in some areas. It has been largely ignored because of the difficulty in assessing its magnitude. While measurement problems persist, there is a growing recognition that groundwater flow into the sea is important. This chapter reviews an approach, using a simple one-dimensional model, to measure SGD via use of 222 Rn as a natural tracer. Radon has certain advantages over other potential geochemical tracers of groundwater discharge. Typically, it is greatly enriched in groundwater compared to seawater; it can be measured at very low concentrations, and is completely conservative. On the other hand, as a gas it is subject to losses at the air–sea interface which may limit its use in shallow water environments. The radon tracing is an excellent qualitative tool for identifying areas of spring or seepage inputs in most coastal environments. It is a good quantitative tool in shallow marine environments characterized by large amounts of SGD.
Emerging Technological Needs for Terrestrial Biogeochemistry Measurements

With the Earth's climate, flora, and fauna undergoing rapid change, understanding terrestrial ecosystem processes and their sensitivity to environmental and biotic conditions has become paramount. Many theories and models remain rudimentary due to sensor and environmental data inadequacies that persist despite rapid developments in sensor, computing, and networking technologies. This situation has prompted researchers to focus on the development of novel sensors to vastly improve our capability of capturing the high spatial and temporal variations within biogeochemical processes.
Biochemistry: Unexpected Role for Vitamin B2

An enzyme has been found that alters the molecular structure of vitamin B2, adding a fourth ring to its existing three-ring system. The product catalyses new types of chemistry in concert with certain other enzymes. See Letters p.497 & p.502 A pair of manuscripts published this week [in this issue of Nature] describes detailed studies of the structure and mechanism of the enzymes UbiD and UbiX that together are responsible for non-oxidative reversible decarboxylation of aromatic substrates, and play a pivotal role in bacterial ubiquinone biosynthesis and microbial biodegradation of aromatic compounds. Mark White et al. show that UbiX is a flavin prenyltransferase, catalysing the covalent attachment of a fourth ring (the dimethylallyl group) to the N5 and C6 atoms of the three-ring riboflavin system. The unusual flavin-derived cofactor synthesized by UbiX is then used by UbiD, a decarboxylase, in the next step of the ubiquinone biosynthetic pathway. Karl Payne et al. show that the Fdc protein from Aspergillus niger (which is homologous to UbiD) uses 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition chemistry to catalyse the reversible decarboxylation of aromatic carboxylic acids. This is the first example of an enzyme-catalysed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction.
Flow and fracture in Zr-based bulk metallic glasses

Abstract Effects of atomic-scale open-volume regions in metallic glass structure on the flow and fracture behavior of a Zr-Ti-Ni-Cu-Be bulk metallic glass were examined. Metallic glass structure was changed by annealing at 300 °C. Studies of relaxation time scales showed that atomic arrangement processes for viscous flow were significantly retarded with annealing. Plane strain fracture toughness was significantly decreased and fatigue crack-growth rates were dramatically increased, indicating degradation of resistance to crack extension as a result of annealing. Fracture morphology completely changed from vein patterns to cleavage-like features with little evidence of plasticity with annealing. The positron lifetime and Doppler broadening experiments revealed decreased open-volume regions as a result of annealing. The observed variation of the viscoelastic relaxation time scales with annealing was well described in terms of the anneal-out of open-volume regions. The current metallic glass was found to posses a low fractional free volume of the order of 0.1% indicating dense-packed structure which contributes to the excellent glass forming ability. The loss of stress relief ability by retarded crack tip viscous flow as a result of the anneal-out of open-volume regions is believed to contribute to subsequent embrittlement.
Adaptive nonlinear output feedback tracking with a reduced order high-gain observer

Concerns output-feedback adaptive controllers for nonlinear systems which require observers with the high gain. This may pose a problem if the measured output is corrupted by noise. In order to reduce the effect of noise a new class of adaptive controllers is proposed which uses a reduced order high-gain observer to estimate only the first r, (r<n) derivatives of the output. This approach is feasible if, in certain coordinates, nonlinearities in the system depend only on the first r derivatives of the output. Semiglobal adaptive output-feedback tracking is achieved under the assumption that the regressor matrix is persistently exciting.
Opponent-process additivity--III. Effect of moderate chromatic adaptation.

Abstract The luminance invariance and additivity of opponent-color equilibria were tested under conditions of chromatic adaptation to unique blue, green, yellow and to (nonunique) 650-nm red lights, varying from about 40 to 2000 td. Although the adapting lights produced large shifts in the loci of the red/green equilibrium colors away from their dark-adapted values, hardly any nonadditivity was produced by blue or green adaptation. For yellow adapting lights of 900 td or more, the red/green equilibria are luminance dependent, hence nonadditive. A small luminance dependence was produced by 40 td red adaptation. As a first approximation, the effects of moderate chromatic adaptation on the red/green opponent code can be described by a coefficient law; however, the fact that unique hues do not shift under moderate self-adaptation implies that the coefficient for at least one receptor type depends on the adapting input to other receptor types. The fact that yellow and red adaptation make the dark determined unique blue wavelength look reddish implies that the short-wavelength cones contribute a red input to the red/green opponent system. The yellow/blue system exhibited nonlinearities under chromatic adaptation which were qualitatively similar to the nonlinearities found under dark adaptation.
PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism typing of Helicobacter pylori.

We applied a molecular typing approach for Helicobacter pylori that uses restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses of an 820-bp PCR-amplified portion of the ureC gene in H. pylori. The PCR products were digested with restriction enzyme HhaI, MboI, or MseI, and the fragments generated were analyzed by agarose electrophoresis. Among 25 independent clinical isolates, each showed a different pattern when a combination of the three RFLP patterns was used. Using this method, we studied isolates from the antrum or the body of the stomach of 14 patients before and after antibiotic therapy. Before treatment, successful isolation of H. pylori from the two sites of the stomach was possible for 12 of the 14 patients. For 10 of these 12 patients, each pair of isolates had identical RFLP profiles. For the other two patients (16.7%), however, isolates from the antrum and the body of the stomach had different RFLP profiles. Treatment was successful for 6 of the 14 patients; of the 8 patients with treatment failures, 5 had identical isolate pairs. In each case, the isolates found posttreatment were the same as the pretreatment isolates. For one of the patients who was colonized with two different isolates pretreatment, one of the isolates was identified at both sites after unsuccessful treatment. We also studied six long-term follow-up patients who had sequential biopsies at intervals of up to 5 months. Each follow-up isolate from each patient had the same RFLP profile as the initial isolate. This typing method provides a reliable and reproducible typing scheme for the study of H. pylori infections and indicates that infection with more than one H. pylori isolate is not rare. Images